English 9 is a comprehensive course, which focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and research skills.  This program is designed to develop these skills for application in senior high classes and general career preparation.  Students will read non-fiction, poetry and fiction (including short stories, novels, and a Shakespearean play).  Students will enhance vocabulary through various vocabulary strategies.  Six Traits of Writing and the writing process will be used to evaluate student writing.

Honors English 9 is designed for students who have shown exceptional progress in English classes.  Students will read poetry, fiction, and non-fiction designed to challenge students above and beyond the rigor of a general class.  As a part of this challenge, students are required to show creative ability in several areas:  reading, writing, speaking, and research.  Students will be given enrichment activities in addition to what is offered in the general English 9 class.  This course is recommended for the college-bound student.

English 10 develops students’ reading, writing, speaking, and research skills.  The course is a general Language Arts survey course that focuses on the processes involved in reading, writing, speaking, and research. Students will enhance vocabulary through various strategies.  Six Traits will be used to evaluate and improve writing.  Students will continue to read various genres.

Honors English 10 is designed to be an advanced Language Arts survey course, focusing on the development and refinement of reading, writing, speaking, and research skills as outlined in the English 10 course description.  Students will continue to read various genres.  This course is recommended for college-bound students.  Honors English 10 students are required to analyze literature more frequently.

English 11 is a general Language Arts survey course of major American writers and their contributions to the development of our literary heritage. It is designed to provide a broad base of instruction in literature, composition, speech, and research for general curriculum students.  Students will explore various texts and genres, including novels, drama, poetry, short stories, letters, non-print media, and nonfiction selections.  This course will examine common themes prevalent in American literature.

Honors English 11 (American Literature/Composition) is a survey of the major American writers and their contributions to the development of our literary heritage.  The course will follow a chronological sequence.  The genres of the class literature will include novels, short stories, essays, poetry, letters, drama, non-print media, and non-fiction selections.  The course will focus on interdisciplinary links between literary themes and social and cultural issues throughout American history.  The course is designed to prepare college-bound students for the types of reading and writing expected in the college classroom.  Students will continue to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, and research using the MLA format.

Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition is designed to train students to use rhetorical strategies in order to become skilled writers in a variety of modes and for a variety of purposes.  The emphasis in writing will be practiced in composing, critiquing, revising, editing, and rewriting.  Students will read literary and non-fiction prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and contexts to become more aware of the interaction between the purpose, audience, subject, conventions, and resources of language.  Students will be introduced to the skills necessary for taking the AP English examination in Language and Composition, which requires an extra fee.  Those who choose to take the optional qualifying test and successfully pass it may receive college credit for the work completed; contingent on the college the student chooses to attend.  In addition, students may opt to earn university credit by dual enrolling if dual enrolling is offered.

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to explore contemporary literature.  Students will read modern literary works, including novels, short stories, and other genres. In Themes 1, students will read and discuss themes such as the construction of identity, the deconstruction of stereotypes, and the importance of rites of passage in modern society.  Students will write in various modes using the Six Traits model while meeting district Language Arts standards in communication, reading comprehension, and research.

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to explore contemporary literature.  Students will read modern literary works, including novels, short stories, and other genres. In Themes 2, students will read and discuss themes of overcoming adversity, healing after tragedy, and the changing American Dream.  Students will write in various modes using the Six Traits model while meeting district Language Arts standards in communication, reading comprehension, and research.  Students will be expected to be active class participants.

Honors British Literature / Composition is a survey of major British authors and their works.  The course will follow a chronological sequence beginning with the Anglo-Saxon period and ending with modern literature.  The types of literature that will be studied will include short stories, essays, poetry, nonfiction, novels, and drama.  The course will prepare the college-bound student for the types of writing (including research techniques) and literary analysis expected for success in college. This course will focus on prevalent themes in British literature, linking cultural, social and historical issues to text.

Honors World Literature/Composition provides students an opportunity to explore common themes throughout world literature.  The course focuses on common threads in British, Greek, French, and Russian literature.   Students will experience various genres: the epic, classical drama, the novel, modern drama, and non-print media. The literature serves as the focal point for composing various writing assignments, speaking opportunities, research and collaborative projects.  The course will also prepare the college-bound student for the types of writing and analysis expected for success in college.

Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and Composition is designed to develop skills in the critical reading of imaginative and discursive literature and in writing about literature and related ideas.  Literary genres studied will include fiction, poetry, drama, and the creative essay. Students will develop MLA style research skills.  Students will be introduced to the skills necessary for taking the Advanced Placement English Examination in Literature and Composition or dual enrolling, both of which require an additional fee.  Those who choose to take the optional qualifying test and successfully pass it may receive college credit for the work completed; contingent on the college the student chooses to attend.  In addition, students may opt to earn university credit by dual enrolling if dual enrollment is offered.

Literary Foundations of Modern Culture provides the opportunity to make connections between important literary works and movements that merit investigation, yet are sometimes ignored in traditional literary study.  Genres may include: Science Fiction, Detective Fiction, Post-Modern Existentialism, Historical Fiction, and others.  The course will explore several themes in literature that may include issues of moral compromise, alienation, and self-discovery intermixed with social/political conflicts.  Students will read, write, speak and complete research as related to course content.

This course provides students with the critical thinking, reading, and writing experiences necessary for a successful post-secondary path.  Students will read in a variety of genres, exploring topics applicable to contemporary social and academic issues.  Advanced grammar concepts, strategies for improving vocabulary, preparation for post-secondary applications/essays, and research skills will be reinforced all semester.