Prerequisites:  B- average in Honors English 10 or an A- average in English 10.

Designed for the advanced English student, this course covers all the material included in English 11.  Additionally, the course includes the study of drama, independent reading of classic novels, vocabulary, and intensive essay and research writing using American Psychological Association (APA) documentation.  Students are also required to complete a Job Shadowing experience and written work. Summer reading and essay are required.

Through the integrated study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication, English 11 students further develop their use of language as a tool for learning and thinking.  In English 11, students move from predominantly analyzing and using the elements of written language to making judgments based on those analyses.  English 11 also incorporates a literary canon, much of which is from a culture or time period different from that of the students – usually a survey of American Literature from different periods.  Composition in English 11 continues to refine students’ abilities to articulate sophisticated ideas in an organized manner.  Students are required to write a research paper using the guidelines found in the American Psychological Association (APA) manual.  Students are also required to complete a Job Shadowing experience and written work. Summer reading and essay are required.

Prerequisites:  B- average in Honors English 9 or an A- average in English 9.

Designed for the advanced English student, this course covers all the material included in English 10 but also entails a much more in-depth approach to the class material at an accelerated pace. Additional readings in world literature, as well as critical writing, are emphasized.  Further research techniques are taught as students write their research papers. Students are required to write a research paper using the guidelines found in the Modern Language Association (MLA) manual.   Supplemental novels will be read in this class. Summer reading and essay are required.

English 10 continues to refine a student’s understanding of different genres by introducing them to more diverse texts, specifically with an emphasis on world literature and by reviewing works from authors not previously covered.  Beyond these, English 10 adds emphasis to a given canon of literature and increases focus on the self-conscious choice of comprehension and writing strategies.  Students use the basic modes of oral and written expression through the development of effective descriptive and narrative procedures, including focus and logical organization of ideas.  The formal study of grammar, usage, spelling, and language mechanics is integrated into the study of writing. Students are required to write a research paper using the guidelines found in the Modern Language Association (MLA) manual.  Supplemental novels will be read in this class. Summer reading and essay are required.

Prerequisite:  Score a 9.0 or higher on the High School Placement Test in both Reading and Language.  

This course is designed for the advanced English student and covers all skills with similar material included in English 9.  In addition, Honors students will be expected to do more independent reading and writing outside of class.  The course instruction operates at an accelerated pace with supplemental texts, such as novels, and an elevated rigor on all assignments and assessments.  Summer reading and essay are required.

This is a genre-based course which will cover various types of literature, including (but not limited to): short stories, poetry, nonfiction/argument, novels, dramas, and epics. Through the integrated study of language, literature, writing, and oral communication, English 9 students further develop their use of language as a tool for learning and thinking.  Students practice identifying, analyzing, and composing with different elements, structures, and genres of written language.  In this course, students will write for a variety of audiences and purposes while strengthening their skills in writing. Students will receive instruction and practice in the writing process using technology and the guidelines found in the Modern Language Association (MLA) manual.  This class emphasizes effective listening and speaking techniques and provides opportunities for students to integrate other reading and language arts skills as they learn to express ideas verbally. Summer reading and essay are required.

This course is required for all 9th-grade students.

Composition provides students with an opportunity to learn to write a variety of essays (narrative, descriptive, persuasive, argumentative, and research).  Students will have frequent opportunities to write for different audiences and purposes, using a process that includes: (1) prewriting, (2) outlining, (3) drafting, (4) peer sharing, (5) revising (content) and editing (grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage), and (6) producing a final product.  For peer sharing with each essay, students will have received training in providing constructive, substantive feedback, as well as role-playing as members of the author’s target audience. Selected readings provide models of effective writing techniques and opportunities to evaluate and discuss the writings of others.  In addition to providing instruction in writing clear, coherent, and organized text, this course will teach strategies for collecting, utilizing, and evaluating creditable research; students will learn strategies to find sources, as well as how to avoid plagiarism by properly citing sources. Students will develop a functional understanding of language and writing vocabulary through instruction on grammar, usage, and mechanics as relevant to student writing.  Though not every piece of writing has to be put into final form, those that are should follow accepted conventions of language, style, mechanics, and format. Electronic student devices are used to support writing instruction.