Academics

Speech is the coordination of mind, body, and voice to communicate ideas. In this course students prepare speeches, deliver them to the class audience, observe and comment on TV and radio personalities, and participate in class discussions. The course enables students to develop poise and effective techniques for various speaking situations.

Students learn logical, emotional, and ethical methods of persuasion. The course emphasizes collection, organization, and presentation of material on current topics of interest. Teams present formal debates in preparation for interscholastic debating on the national high school topic.

Students examine the history of the world through the development of technology and communication systems. Beginning with the Paleolithic Age and the development of prehistoric communication, students engage in a wide range of interactive learning activities, focusing on written composition, mankind's advances in technology, historical and literary written expressions, literary genres and terms, and vocabulary and grammar. Students learn to use available hardware, software, and the Internet to develop writing skills and to complete historical and literary research projects. The English portion of this course includes a state-mandated End-of-Course test administered during the final exam period at the end of the course.

Students examine the history of the world through the development of technology and communication systems. Beginning with the Paleolithic Age and the development of prehistoric communication, students engage in a wide range of interactive learning activities, focusing on written composition, mankind's advances in technology, historical and literary written expressions, literary genres and terms, and vocabulary and grammar. Students learn to use available hardware, software, and the Internet to develop writing skills and to complete historical and literary research projects. The English portion of this course includes a state-mandated End-of-Course test administered during the final exam period at the end of the course.

This academic world literature course is designed for the student who aspires to post-secondary college or vocational experience. This class focuses on comprehension and informational writing. Students should expect nightly homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills.

This honors course is designed to challenge the academically advanced/gifted, highly motivated student. It concentrates on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through an intensive study of a variety of selected world literature and appropriate oral and written responses. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, and usage as needed. This college preparatory course focuses on the development of complex thought processes, independence in learning, and creative expression through discussion and frequent writing assignments. Homework is a reinforcement and extension of classroom instruction.

This academic American literature course is designed for the student who aspires to post-secondary college or vocational experience. The course addresses reading comprehension and critical writing. Students should expect nightly homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills.

This honors course is designed to challenge the academically advanced/gifted, highly motivated student. It concentrates on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through an intensive study of selected American literature and appropriate oral and written responses. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, and usage as needed. This college preparatory course focuses on the development of complex thought processes, independence in learning, and creative expression through discussion and frequent writing assignments. Homework is a reinforcement and extension of classroom instruction.

This academic British literature course is designed for the student who aspires to post-secondary college or vocational experience. The course addresses reading comprehension and argumentative writing. Students should expect nightly homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills.

This honors course is designed to challenge the academically advanced/gifted, highly motivated student. It concentrates on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through an intensive study of selected British literature and appropriate oral and written responses. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, and usage as needed. This college preparatory course focuses on the development of complex thought processes, independence in learning, and creative expression through discussion and frequent writing assignments. Homework is a reinforcement and extension of classroom instruction.

In this course, students produce expressive, informational, argumentative, critical and literary writing as background for all high school English classes. The writing process, with emphasis on revising/editing, is modeled. In addition, students build grammar skills to apply in their writing. Recommended for 9th grade only.

The course is designed for the student interested in writing original poetry, plays, essays, and short stories. Students consider the elements of creativity - inspiration, form, and content - in relation to styles of representative authors. Self-criticism, group evaluation, contest entries, and publication of students' work are required activities. Projects may include entertainment of a poet-in-residence or publication of a literary magazine.

In this course, students research, create, read, and study a specific genre and the movements within that genre over the past 100 years. They create manuscripts for presentation to various outlets for publication.

This course is designed for grade 10 students who need additional instruction in the writing process. Students work with focusing on the main idea throughout the paper, organization, elaboration, style and grammar/conventions. Students who need specific writing instruction and conferencing before the Tenth Grade Writing Test, as well as students who experience difficulty in writing during English I and II, may elect to take this course.

This course is particularly suited for 9th grade. This survey course focuses on the development and changing visions of Young Adult Literature from 1969 to the present examines themes and trends in literature that has been written specifically for teens. Students read young adult novels, drama, short stories, and poetry. They participate in literature circles, write analyses of works, do research, and develop projects.

This course explores African-American writing and its relationship to American history and culture. Students study critical theories of African-American literature and the contexts of cultural criticism through selected novels by African-American writers.

In this course, students enlarge and expand their knowledge of Shakespeare's plays by studying selected histories, comedies, and tragedies. Students also learn about the classical origins of Shakespeare's work, his influence on Western literature and culture, and relevant contemporary criticism of his dramas.

Students who have complete Newspaper I and II and who desire to refine skills in planning, layout, and technology may elect this course. In addition to development of higher level writing skills and business management procedures, students enhance their knowledge of the laws and ethics of journalism. It is also a course requirement that students contribute to the publication of the newspaper through advertising sales.

Students who have complete Newspaper I and II and who desire to refine skills in planning, layout, and technology may elect this course. In addition to development of higher level writing skills and business management procedures, students enhance their knowledge of the laws and ethics of journalism.

This honors level course provides journalism students the opportunity to expand their portfolios (begun in Newspaper II Honors) and to develop and deliver training modules for all staff positions. Students electing this course are required to fill an editor's position or take a leadership role on the newspaper staff. In addition, they increase technological skills and refine writing skills. Students may receive honors credit in this course one time only. It is also a course requirement that students contribute to the publication of the newspaper through advertising sales.

This honors level course provides journalism students the opportunity to expand their portfolios (begun in Yearbook II Honors) and to develop and deliver training modules for all staff positions. Students electing this course are required to fill an editor's position or take a leadership role on the yearbook staff. In addition, they increase technological skills and refine writing skills. Students may receive honors credit in this course one time only.

The introductory yearbook course offers the student total involvement in the production of the school yearbook. Activities include advertising, layout planning, photography, copy writing, and proofing.

This introductory newspaper course is designed for students interested in the construction and publication of regular editions of the school newspaper. Focus areas are learning the skills of newspaper writing and the responsibilities of newspaper business management. It is also a course requirement that students contribute to the publication of the newspaper through advertising sales.

This second-level journalism course is designed to help students refine their skills in interviewing and reporting. Students design and publish regular editions of the school newspaper. They also deepen their understanding of the business management aspect of the newspaper. It is also a course requirement that students contribute to the publication of the newspaper through advertising sales.

The second-level yearbook course is designed to help students refine their skills in copywriting, proofing, photography, and layout planning. Students deepen their understanding of advertising.

This honors level course allows junior- and senior-level publication staff members to develop advanced journalistic skills in addition to leadership skills. Students enrolled for honors credit are required to fill an editor's position or take a leadership role on the publication staff. They participate in the construction and publication of the school newspaper and master additional editorial and technological skills. Editorial skills include planning an entire issue, copy editing, and completing a portfolio of his/her work. The technological skills include mastering advanced layout and design of desktop publishing and mastering digital imagery and photo placement. Students may receive honors credit in this course one time only. It is also a course requirement that students contribute to the publication of the newspaper through advertising sales.

This honors course is for junior- and senior-level publication staff members. Students are required to fill an editor's position or take a leadership role on the publication staff. Students plan a yearbook ladder, complete various spreads and assignments, copy edit, and complete a portfolio of work. They master advanced layout and design of desktop publishing, digital imagery, and photo placement. Students may receive honors credit in this course one time only.

This college-level course provides an analytical and historical study of American literature and language in a comprehensive program of reading, writing, and critical thinking. As preparation to take the Advanced Placement Test in Language and Composition, students read, discuss, analyze, and write about challenging works of recognized literary merit to develop honest, concise, and effective use of language and the ability to organize ideas in a clear, coherent, and persuasive way. Independent literary analysis and a total mastery of writing skills are goals of the course. Because it meets the needs of academically gifted or highly motivated advanced students who hope to bypass introductory courses in composition and literature when they enter college, students in an AP course should expect assignments and instruction paced at the college level. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement Test.

This college-level course provides an analytical and historical study of British and world literature in a comprehensive program of reading, writing, and critical thinking. As preparation to take the Advanced Placement Test in Literature and Composition, students read, discuss, analyze, and write about challenging works of recognized literary merit to develop honest, concise, and effective use of language and the ability to organize ideas in a clear, coherent, and persuasive way. Independent literary analysis and a total mastery of writing skills are goals of the course. Because it meets the needs of academically gifted or highly motivated advanced students who hope to bypass introductory courses in composition and literature when they enter college, students in an AP course should expect assignments and instruction paced at the college level. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement Test.