The English Department consists of a wide variety of both required courses for seventh and eighth grade students as well as required courses for grades 9-12. These courses are listed below, along with their course descriptions. Students wishing to take courses beyond those which are required should consult with the English teachers and/or their guidance counselor to determine their eligibility for these courses. Most courses are taken in sequence so that students do not find themselves in academic difficulty as a result of taking a course that is too advanced.

Junior High Courses

Seventh Grade Language Arts - 1 Credit This course is an integrated language arts program offering high quality traditional and contemporary literary selections in the following genres: short story, drama, nonfiction, poetry, myths, folk tales, and novels. Emphasis is placed on the reading and appreciation of literature as well as on the writing process. Different types and styles of writing are studied. These include composition, journal, research, and creative writing. All language arts skills, especially grammar and vocabulary, are addressed within the context of the literature.

Honors Seventh Grade Language Arts - 1 Credit This course is offered to students who would like an accelerated study of Language Arts. The course is an integrated language arts program offering high quality traditional and contemporary literary selections in the following genre: short story, drama, nonfiction, poetry, myths, folk tales, and novel. Emphasis is placed on the reading and appreciation of literature as well as on the writing process. Different types and styles of writing are studied. These include composition, journal, research, and creative writing. All language arts skills, especially grammar and vocabulary, are addressed within the context of the literature. A student's academic record and Standardized Test Scores are reviewed prior to acceptance into the course.

Eighth Grade Language Arts - 1 Credit This course focuses on concepts and skills of written and spoken communication. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing. Students read various genres and write in various styles and forms. Students will learn about various authors and writing styles. They will also learn literary devices and apply this knowledge to their own writing. A reading and writing portfolio will be a course culminating activity.

Honors Eighth Grade Language Arts - 1 Credit This course is offered to students who would like an accelerated study of Language Arts. This course focuses on concepts and skills of written and spoken communication. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing. Students read various genres and write in various styles and forms. Students will learn about various authors and writing styles. They will also learn literary devices and apply this knowledge to their own writing. Various projects involving research and creativity will be completed throughout. A reading and writing portfolio will be a course culminating activity.

Senior High Courses

English I - 1 Credit This English course is divided into four aspects: Literature, grammar, vocabulary, and composition, with oral activities related to all four. Literature covers both American and World literature, including units on the short story, biography, poetry, mythology, drama, and the novel. Outside reading is based on current young adult literature and classical novels. Grammar is integrated with composition and vocabulary whenever possible and students work on individual units on some occasion. Some vocabulary words are taken from literature or current affairs, with emphasis on relating the topics to the students' own lives. Students are encouraged to consider long-range purposes for developing their reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Honors English I - 1 Credit This course is offered to students in who choose to begin the accelerated study of English. The course will concentrate on grammar and vocabulary skills by using writing techniques and assignments. Short stories, drama, novel, poetry, and non-fiction will be studied. This course is weighted at 1.08 percent of the grade achieved.

English II - 1 Credit Literature in the tenth grade will concentrate on a deeper study of types of drama, poetry, non-fiction, and short story. Oral composition through speeches and panel discussion will be emphasized. Written composition will be studied by writing short compositions utilizing various methods and types. Research techniques will be studied. Grammar and vocabulary will be coordinated with all units above and special emphasis will be placed where needed.

Honors English II - 1 Credit This course is offered to college-minded sophomores who would like an accelerated study of English. Reading, writing, researching, and speaking skills will be emphasized. Students will read literary works in various genres. Literature will be analyzed for historical information, plot, theme, and style. Students will learn about, and from, various writers, and will apply this knowledge to writing assignments. Each student will produce a writing portfolio including examples of his/her best writing. This course is weighted at 1.08 percent of the grade achieved.

English III - 1 Credit This course is offered to juniors to help prepare them for college. This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts and skills associated with English by developing oral and written skills. These skills will be developed through a study of American literature, composition, vocabulary and grammar. Research skills and the proper development of a research paper will be examined.

Honors English III - 1 Credit Honors English is offered to juniors who would like an accelerated study of English to help prepare them for college. English skills will be developed through a study of American literature, composition, vocabulary and grammar. Research skills and proper development of research papers will be developed in this course. This course is weighted at 1.08 percent of the grade achieved.

English IV - 1 Credit Academic English IV is offered to seniors to help prepare them for college. This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts and skills associated with English by developing oral and written skills. These skills will be developed through a study of English literature, composition, vocabulary, and grammar. Research skills and the proper development of a research paper will be examined.

Honors English IV - 1 Credit Honors English IV is offered to seniors who would like an accelerated study of English to help prepare them for college. This course is designed for students who have an Honors English background. English skills will be developed through study of English literature, composition, vocabulary, and grammar. Research skills and proper development of research papers will be developed in this course. This course is weighted at 1.08 percent of the grade achieved.

Theatre Arts - 1 Credit This class will give students practical experiences in drama. All projects involve class members in group or individual participation: Pantomimes, improvisations, scenes, extemporaneous talks, discussions, and play performances. All projects require careful student preparation in planning, organizing, and rehearsing for class presentation.

Advanced Placement English - 1 Credit This course is designed to develop the student’s ability to read selected poems and passages analytically. Students will also write critical or analytical essays based on given critical statements, poems, and prose passages that are one of the following: narrative, exposition, or argument. A great deal of independent reading and writing is required. Requirements include writing a novella (a 60 page story), writing a 5-7 page research paper, and reading two novels of the student’s choice and writing a card report for each. This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general English course usually taken during the first year of college. Students completing the course are strongly encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examination. This course is weighted at 1.14 percent of the grade achieved.