Grades: 9 Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 8
Students read a variety of literature, exploring the characteristics of different forms and relating life situations to literary themes. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, and learning about language history and structure. Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students build on their understanding of writing as a process of prewriting, drafting, revising, and publishing. They also improve discussion skills as well as observing and practicing oral presentations to develop poise and confidence. (This is a Standards of Learning aligned course which is tested in 11th grade.)
(Formerly English 9 Honors)
Grades: 9 Credit: one
Students study literature to develop an awareness of the relationship between life and literary experience. By writing frequently and for varied purposes and audiences, they build an understanding of their own and others' writing processes and develop the ability to analyze and evaluate writing. Language study includes tracing linguistic development, studying etymology, and expanding verbal fluency. Students analyze various forms of media to determine the impact of persuasive language. Through practice in small and large groups as well as practice in oral presentations, they organize, communicate, and evaluate ideas logically and creatively. (This is a Standards of Learning aligned course which is tested in 11th grade.)
Grades: 10 Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 9 or Transitional English 9
Students read a variety of literature comparing and contrasting setting, characterization, conflict, point of view, and theme. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, verbal analogies, and learning about language history and structure. Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students expand their understanding of writing as a process and develop their skill in revising according to purpose and audience. They practice adapting speaking and listening skills to the audience, topic, purpose, and situation. (This is a Standards of Learning aligned course which is tested in 11th grade.)
(Formerly English 10 Honors)
Grades: 10 Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 9 or Pre-AP English 9
Students analyze various literary forms to investigate structural elements and recognize their relationship to the whole work and its literary tradition. Through frequent personal writing and writing about literature, they expand their understanding of the writing process, the purposes for writing, and the author's sense of audience. In language study, students increase vocabulary skills with an emphasis on analyzing and creating verbal analogies. Students learn to evaluate critically, to use persuasive language responsibly, and to present dramatic material effectively by examining and analyzing various forms of media. Continued interaction in small and large groups increases students' proficiency in oral skills and in problem solving. (This is a Standards of Learning aligned course which is tested in 11th grade).
Grades: 11 Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 10
Students read a variety of literature, comparing themes of various works and analyzing expository materials for logical reasoning. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, grammar, language history and structure. Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students reinforce their understanding of purpose and audience and develop their skill in the use of voice and tone. Through a variety of interpersonal, group, dramatic, and public speaking activities, students refine their understanding of oral communication. This is a Standards of Learning aligned course which is tested in 11th grade.
Grades: 11 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Students consider the ways literature reflects history and the human experience as they refine their awareness of language and the writer's craft. They make connections between history and literature while examining the American experience. Students acquire factual knowledge and strengthen critical thinking skills by studying the political, economic, social, and cultural growth of the United States. Students study primary documents and engage in research and writing. They study traditional and contemporary American beliefs, values and characteristics. In this course, students receive one credit in Advanced Placement United States History and one credit in AP Language and Composition. Students are required to take both of the Advanced Placement exams. Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 11 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Students who complete this course are prepared to take the Advanced Placement examination in English Language and Composition, and many earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. Students study advanced composition and analysis of language at a level equivalent to that of a full-year introductory college course. In refining their awareness of language and the writer's craft, students write works of publishable quality. (Schools may offer this course, the Literature and Composition Advanced Placement English course, or both of these courses.) With principal's approval, this course will fulfill the English credit for the targeted grade level. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement English exam.
Students are required to take the Standards of Learning End of Course Test.
Grades: 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 11
Students study literary and non-fiction forms and analyze their literary and stylistic elements. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, and learning about language history and structure. Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students refine their understanding of purpose, audience, and voice and develop criteria for evaluating writing. They participate in speaking and listening activities to build critical thinking--using inference, hypothesis, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation skills.
Grades: 12 Credit: one/weighted +.5
Students who complete this course are prepared to take the Advanced Placement examination in English Literature and Composition, and many earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved. Students study composition and literary analysis at a level equivalent to that of a full-year introductory college course. Through in-depth studies of literary works, students sharpen their awareness of language and their understanding of the writer's craft. They establish critical standards for appreciating and evaluating literature. Completion of this course fulfills the English 12 course requirement. Schools may offer this course, or the Language and Composition Advanced Placement English course, described in optional course offerings, or both of these courses. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement English exam.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Journalism 1 provides students with opportunities for learning the language of journalism and photojournalism, developing communication skills in writing different kinds of articles, understanding news and the process of publication, and becoming more critical readers and viewers of mass media.
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 1
Journalism 2 provides students opportunities for learning and participating in layout, design, desktop publishing, and printing processes. Students develop a more sophisticated level of journalistic writing and participate in the operation and production of the high school newspaper.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 2
In addition to enhancing their skills as reporters, Journalism 3 provides students advanced opportunities for learning editorial leadership, developing a personal sense of professionalism, understanding the role of the newspaper in society, and becoming productive members of the newspaper staff. Students learn business and circulation management.
Grades: 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 3
Journalism 4 provides students opportunities for learning marketable publication skills; developing individual writing, layout, and design styles; and assuming the role of editorial leadership and responsibility for producing a high school newspaper that serves a pluralistic society. Students also take responsibility for business and circulation management.
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 1 or instructor permission
Photojournalism 1 provides students opportunities for learning and participating in the design, layout, and overall production of the high school yearbook; developing yearbook copywriting skills; and applying knowledge of photography. This course may provide a sequential elective when taken following Journalism 1.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Photojournalism 1 or approval of instructor.
Photojournalism 2 provides students opportunities for learning the role of editorial leadership, developing a personal sense of professionalism, refining copywriting skills, and becoming productive members of the high school yearbook staff. This course may provide a sequential elective when taken following Photojournalism 1.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Photojournalism 2 or approval of instructor.
Photojournalism 3 provides students with opportunities for learning marketable publications skills, developing individual style, and assuming editorial leadership roles and responsibilities for the high school yearbook. This course may provide a sequential elective when taken following Photojournalism 2.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
This course provides students an opportunity for additional writing instruction beyond the standard English program. Experimentation with many forms of writing is encouraged, with an emphasis on poetry, short stories, plays, and all forms of descriptive writing. Students continue to expand and refine their ability to write through analyzing and evaluating their own writing and that of other students. Students may also participate in the layout, design, and overall production of a high school literary magazine.
Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Creative Writing
This course provides students an opportunity for further exploration of creative writing. Students continue to experiment with many forms of writing, with an emphasis on poetry, short stories, plays, and all forms of descriptive writing. Students hone their writing skills by attempting more advanced work while also working collaboratively with other students on revision and critique. Students may also participate in the layout, design, and overall production of a high school literary magazine. This course will fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine and practical arts and may count as a sequential elective when taken after Creative Writing.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
The debate course is designed to encourage and improve in creative and critical thinking, research, speaking and argumentation, mock trials, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Policy Debate. In addition, students improve their ability to take notes and to listen.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one
Forensics provides students with an opportunity to practice and develop proficiency in oral communication techniques. Students sharpen their skills in a chosen area of concentration such as oral interpretation, extemporaneous speaking, or original oratory. Students are encouraged to use their skills in speech competition or performance.
Grades: 9 Credit: one
Developing Literacies provides direct remediation of content area reading skills necessary to understand the content of mathematics, science, social studies, and English. The course focuses on the reading skills necessary for successful completion of the SOL tests given in the four core areas. Counts as a sequential elective if taken with Expanding Literacies.
Grades: 10, 11 Credit: one
Expanding Literacies provides direct remediation of reading skills and English content necessary to pass the EOC English: Reading/Literature and Research and/or the EOC English: Writing SOL tests, which are given in eleventh grade. Verified credit on both tests is required in order to earn a Standard Diploma. Counts as a sequential elective when taken after Developing Literacies.
Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Expanding Literacies (course number 151500)
Expanding Literacies provides direct remediation of reading skills and English content necessary to pass the EOC English: Reading/Literature and Research and/or the EOC English: Writing SOL tests, which are given in the eleventh grade. Verified credit on both tests is required in order to earn a Standard Diploma. This course is for students who are continuing focused remediation in Expanding Literacies for a second year. Counts as a sequential elective when taken after Developing Literacies and/or Expanding Literacies (1515).