Courses Offered
English 9
English 9 is a comprehensive English course of literature, composition, and language, including listening and speaking. The study of literature includes reading and comprehending a wide variety of literary forms including short stories, nonfiction, poetry, drama, novels, and spoken and visual texts. The course offers supportive reading strategies for various purposes. This course also focuses on the writing process through response to literature, creative writing, and connections to real-life situations and problem-solving. The study of language targets usage,
mechanics, and strategies for vocabulary development integrated into literature and composition components. In addition, the course will teach grammatical concepts and applications. Students will review punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage and work on logical thinking and various modes of composition, including the research paper. Listening and speaking skills are also developed throughout the course.
English 9 is a comprehensive English course of literature, composition, and language, including listening and speaking. The study of literature includes reading and comprehending a wide variety of literary forms including short stories, nonfiction, poetry, drama, novels, and spoken and visual texts. The course offers supportive reading strategies for various purposes. This course also focuses on the writing process through response to literature, creative writing, and connections to real-life situations and problem-solving. The study of language targets usage,
mechanics, and strategies for vocabulary development integrated into literature and composition components. In addition, the course will teach grammatical concepts and applications. Students will review punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage and work on logical thinking and various modes of composition, including the research paper. Listening and speaking skills are also developed throughout the course.
Honors English 9
This is a course in English language and composition providing a survey of fiction and nonfiction texts from authors and media around the world with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving for the 21st century gifted learner. The course texts and assignments are meant to aid students in viewing the world from a variety of different perspectives and to allow students to see literature as a response to historical and social contexts. Further, there is significant consideration placed on the needs, skills, and effective habits of students as they transition into high school.
English 10
Students will read persuasive texts, with a focus on the credibility of an author’s argument, the relationship between generalizations and evidence, the comprehensiveness of evidence, the way in which the author’s intent affects the structure and tone of the text, and extend ideas through original analysis, evaluation, and elaboration. Students will read expository texts, use what they have learned to establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on a subject, maintain a consistent tone, and focus throughout a piece of writing. Students will read literary texts (e.g., short stories, poetry, and longer works, including novels), recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and explain their appeal.
Honors English 10
This course's main purpose is to analyze literature and expository texts in greater depth and produce more complex writing assignments. This year-long course utilizes a variety of literary forms, genres, and voices to help students advance their reading, writing, listening, speaking, and analytical skills to develop language arts skills to fully prepare student for an honors, AP, or college-level course in their junior year. As an honors course, students may be expected to read a greater quantity of texts which may be longer, more complex, or more mature.
AP Seminar (English elective)
Recommended Prerequisite(s): 11th Grade. A grade of an “A” in regular English 10AB, or a grade of a “B” or higher in honors English 10AB. This is an elective course as students must be concurrently enrolled in an English class while enrolled in AP Seminar during the 11th grade year.
AP Seminar is a foundational course in the AP Capstone experience that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, to synthesize information from multiple sources, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.
AP Seminar English 10 A/B – Possible New Course for 2024-2025 (Pending Approval)
Recommended Prerequisite(s): 10th Grade. A grade of an “A” in regular English 9AB, or a grade of a “B” or higher in honors English 9AB. This course will fulfill the 10th-grade English B requirement.
As an English 10 course, AP Seminar English 10 provides students with dynamic opportunities to explore real-world issues, read a variety of text types, construct written responses, collaborate in teams, and present confidently—all skills that support future success in AP and college coursework. See the description for the AP Seminar course above.
American Literature/Contemporary Composition A/B
American Literature and Composition is a semester-long course that includes standards-based instruction centered on recurrent themes and genres in United States literature from the colonial period to the present and reflects on the diversity of American life. Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. The philosophical approach is the focus, as students analyze the philosophical arguments presented in literary works to determine whether the authors’ positions have contributed to the quality of each work and the credibility of characters. As a means of developing the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for the demands of college and work, students will engage in discussion to prepare oral and written arguments that provide all relevant perspectives and consider the validity and reliability of sources. The major purpose of Contemporary Composition semester course is to explore ideas, issues, and themes from contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and informational materials and to focus on writing coherent and complex texts that convey well-defined perspectives and tightly reasoned arguments. Students will think about the structure, style, content, and purpose of contemporary literature, expository, and visual texts through different lenses and various perspectives to investigate personal, American, and global views on current events, issues, and themes. As a means of developing the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for the demands of college and work, students will engage in discussion to prepare oral and written arguments that provide all relevant perspectives and consider the validity and reliability of sources.
Honors American Literature/Contemporary Composition
In this 11th grade honors course, differentiation strategies of acceleration/pacing, depth, complexity, and novelty are used. Writing instruction and carefully designed prompts should aim at enabling students to express complex and interrelated ideas with clarity and a mature, sophisticated style. The course will be demonstrably more challenging than regular college preparatory sections, requiring more extensive and challenging reading assignments; more frequent, complex, sustained writing assignments; and written examinations, including a comprehensive written final examination.
In this 11th grade honors course, differentiation strategies of acceleration/pacing, depth, complexity, and novelty are used. Writing instruction and carefully designed prompts should aim at enabling students to express complex and interrelated ideas with clarity and a mature, sophisticated style. The course will be demonstrably more challenging than regular college preparatory sections, requiring more extensive and challenging reading assignments; more frequent, complex, sustained writing assignments; and written examinations, including a comprehensive written final examination.
Humanities (English elective)
12th grade HIPP (Humanitas Interdisciplinary Pierce Program)
The major purpose of this interdisciplinary English/social science course is to provide a study of basic patterns of civilizations as expressed through literature, history, art, music, law, politics, religion, and philosophy. The content includes a survey of significant developments in the search for order and self-definition within selected cultures from ancient civilizations to the present. Literary and specialized works are examined for the ideas expressed and the artistry in expression. The course requires practice in critical analysis of text, structured writing, oral discussions, and critical and creative responses to literature/text, art, and music.
Honors Writing Seminar A/B Recommended
The major purpose of this semester course is to focus on the development and writing of different genres for multiple purposes: writing by analyzing the characteristics of sub-genres that are used in poetry, prose, plays, novels, short stories, essays, and other genres to write their own. They will analyze the ways in which the themes of various works represent a view or comment on life, the ways in which irony, tone, mood, style, the “sound” of language achieve rhetorical or aesthetic purposes, and the philosophical arguments presented to determine whether the authors’ positions have contributed to the work and credibility of characters.
Honors Modern Literature B
The major purpose of Modern Literature semester course is to study significant works of the 20th-century literary movement. Students will develop a basis for understanding modern literature through investigations of universal themes across social and historical contexts and evaluations of how the influences of the regions and historical events shaped the discourse across genres. Students will engage in a study of interpretative theories to help them understand multiple perspectives and ways to understand literature through different lenses.
Honors Modern Literature B
The major purpose of Modern Literature semester course is to study significant works of the 20th-century literary movement. Students will develop a basis for understanding modern literature through investigations of universal themes across social and historical contexts and evaluations of how the influences of the regions and historical events shaped the discourse across genres. Students will engage in a study of interpretative theories to help them understand multiple perspectives and ways to understand literature through different lenses.
Expo Comp A
This semester course's main purpose is to provide writing experiences characterized by logical and coherent organization, clarity of expression, and suitability in style, usage, and the conventions of writing. The student is required to read closely within and across expository and informational genres (e.g., essays, biographies, critiques, précis, and newspaper and magazine articles) for literal and implied meaning and to demonstrate through classroom discussion, oral presentation, and written expression an understanding of the text(s). Emphasis in this course is on expository reading and writing and the essential skills of editing, although the course provides some practice in other domains of writing.
Science Fiction B
This course is designed to increase students’ awareness of the literary genre known as Science Fiction. Emphasis will be on the study of literature—novels and short fiction—that depicts our future world, visionary scientific endeavor, and conflicts between humans, aliens, and sentient technology. Students will study the history, exciting contemporary trends, and the relevant contemporary issues in Science Fiction, including dystopia vs. utopia, artificial intelligence, current theory concerning technology, cloning and physical science, human psychology in a futuristic environment, and new Alternate Reality literature within the genre. We will augment the reading with exciting cinema that augments and reaches further into the units of study in our Science Fiction class.
This semester course's main purpose is to provide writing experiences characterized by logical and coherent organization, clarity of expression, and suitability in style, usage, and the conventions of writing. The student is required to read closely within and across expository and informational genres (e.g., essays, biographies, critiques, précis, and newspaper and magazine articles) for literal and implied meaning and to demonstrate through classroom discussion, oral presentation, and written expression an understanding of the text(s). Emphasis in this course is on expository reading and writing and the essential skills of editing, although the course provides some practice in other domains of writing.
Science Fiction B
This course is designed to increase students’ awareness of the literary genre known as Science Fiction. Emphasis will be on the study of literature—novels and short fiction—that depicts our future world, visionary scientific endeavor, and conflicts between humans, aliens, and sentient technology. Students will study the history, exciting contemporary trends, and the relevant contemporary issues in Science Fiction, including dystopia vs. utopia, artificial intelligence, current theory concerning technology, cloning and physical science, human psychology in a futuristic environment, and new Alternate Reality literature within the genre. We will augment the reading with exciting cinema that augments and reaches further into the units of study in our Science Fiction class.
Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC)
ERWC is an expository reading and writing-based curriculum, which will provide students with an opportunity to sharpen all their language arts skills, especially in writing. Special attention will be paid to the study of ethos, pathos, and logos—the building blocks of rhetoric and argument. Students will understand the persuasive techniques writers use to persuade you to their point of few. Together, we will gain a better worldview understanding of the information that has helped shape Western culture. Through the Expository Reading and Writing Course, the themes and skills we will learn transfer to all future endeavors—from college to career.
ERWC is an expository reading and writing-based curriculum, which will provide students with an opportunity to sharpen all their language arts skills, especially in writing. Special attention will be paid to the study of ethos, pathos, and logos—the building blocks of rhetoric and argument. Students will understand the persuasive techniques writers use to persuade you to their point of few. Together, we will gain a better worldview understanding of the information that has helped shape Western culture. Through the Expository Reading and Writing Course, the themes and skills we will learn transfer to all future endeavors—from college to career.
AP English Language
AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. This course cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. The course guides students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in the course should deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’ responses in particular situations.
AP English Literature
Recommended Prerequisite(s): Honors American Literature/Contemporary Composition This is a course in English Literature providing a survey of significant works by important authors. Additionally, students will prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam in Literature and Composition via timed writings, sample tests, occasional lectures, and some plain, ‘common sense’ advice. Be aware, as this is a course in literature and composition, there will be a profound emphasis on writing. Students will be expected to read, understand, and interpret past and present works of English literature, as well as improve writing skills in response literature. All students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement examination in English Literature and Composition, which will take place in May. According to the College Board, “An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and depth for their readers. As they read, students 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.”
AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. This course cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. The course guides students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in the course should deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’ responses in particular situations.
AP English Literature
Recommended Prerequisite(s): Honors American Literature/Contemporary Composition This is a course in English Literature providing a survey of significant works by important authors. Additionally, students will prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam in Literature and Composition via timed writings, sample tests, occasional lectures, and some plain, ‘common sense’ advice. Be aware, as this is a course in literature and composition, there will be a profound emphasis on writing. Students will be expected to read, understand, and interpret past and present works of English literature, as well as improve writing skills in response literature. All students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement examination in English Literature and Composition, which will take place in May. According to the College Board, “An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and depth for their readers. As they read, students 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.”
Creative Writing and Lit Analysis
This seminar will examine the major social, cultural, and political themes embedded in literature of the 1980s that was reflective of the time period. To understand the cultural fabric of a specific time period, you must read its literature. This course will examine how the social, cultural, and political climate of America in the 1980s influenced literature.
This seminar will examine the major social, cultural, and political themes embedded in literature of the 1980s that was reflective of the time period. To understand the cultural fabric of a specific time period, you must read its literature. This course will examine how the social, cultural, and political climate of America in the 1980s influenced literature.