The AP English Literature & Composition course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students can deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students should consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.

Students are introduced to a variety of text types and genres and will be able to communicate effectively about them. This includes learning to complete in-depth analysis of functional, expository, persuasive, and literary texts, as well as poetry, drama, and novels. Students work to enhance their communication and problem-solving skills by developing the ability to provide support for their opinions. 

Students meet the basic goals of English 9. In addition, they are exposed to Bloom’s Taxonomy of Higher Thinking Skills. Basic goals here are analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Students discover methods of decision making and problem solving as they generate, sort, and select ideas and information. They employ all these skills in writing, reading, speaking, listening, and other forms of communication.

Continuing the development of skills introduced in English 9, this course advances composition techniques, writing modes, spoken and written expression, language skills (grammar and revision), and reading strategies. This course will survey world literature to build upon the competencies leaned in the beginning course.

Designed to go beyond regular requirements, English 10 Honors emphasizes quality reading and writing based on challenging fiction and non-fiction selections. Students study and model reading and writing strategies. Expectations for students in the class are that they be motivated, focused, and diligent in completing class assignments.

English 11 includes the study of American Literature and writing skills. Rhetoric, usage, and vocabulary building are also practiced. A research project is required for completion of this course. 

English 12 concentrates on the following skills: composition with an emphasis on expository writing; English literature survey from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 20th Century; vocabulary development, spelling awareness, research, book reviews, computer literacy, and speeches.

English 101 is a concurrent enrollment, college-level course, offered on the high school campus. This online/blended learning course focuses on the advancement of the student’s ability to analyze and write academic, college-level essays with an emphasis on developing ideas and using a process of writing revising and editing to create organized, coherent, fully-articulated essays that reflect the conventions of English grammar, mechanics, and usage.

English 102 is a concurrent enrollment, college-level course, offered on the high school campus. This is a continuation of the English 101 course. The course emphasizes critical thinking, close reading, analysis, and advanced research skills through the development of writing and revision of complex arguments.

Media Literacy is an English/Literature course. The course is designed to emphasize comprehension, discernment, and critical-thinking skills in the reading of texts and literature, as well as contemporary and historical images and how they are used to make art, sell products, motivate populations, and alter opinions. This course introduces and explores more advanced literary and rhetorical techniques, which may include debates surrounding television, the internet, and other sources for media, in exploring alternatives to the mainstream media. Students analyze media content in writing throughout the course and explore more advanced literary techniques (irony, satire, humor, connotation, tone, rhythm, symbolism, and so on) through two or more literary genres, with the aim of creating sophisticated readers. Writing assignments are required as an additional method to develop and improve critical-thinking and analytic skills.

The course is designed to have students learn the basics of cross-cultural works of literature (Greek and Celtic mythology) and relate the ancient concepts to modern literature and films. Many of the myths studied in class are connected to real-life events via essays and one research paper. There is a semester project that allows the student the opportunity to create their own mythology and poetry.

Students read a variety of short stories and use these stories to draw inferences from new vocabulary, explain how meaning is enhanced through poetry and structure, connect stories to real-life experiences, and describe historical/cultural aspects found in cross-cultural works of literature.