Academics

This course is designed to hone aural and oral skills in English so that students are prepared for the rigors of regular English courses.  The course will develop listening, note-taking, study and test-taking skills.  Active listening, interactive and presentational oral skills will be another focus of the class. 

This course is designed for students who are not-at-level for Mainstream English learning.  In this course, students develop fundamental listening and reading skills that better prepare them for a curriculum taught in English.  This course does not earn credit towards the English Language Arts requirements and thus is graded on a Pass/Fail.  Students who are in this course are still required to take four years of English Language Arts to demonstrate basic proficiency and readiness for education in English.

Students develop essential reading and writing skills through theme-based units exploring diverse literature. They examine fiction and nonfiction texts that connect to real-world issues and human experiences. Through active reading strategies, students analyze how authors use literary devices, text structure, and language to develop themes. They practice close reading to interpret texts, support analysis with evidence, and make personal and societal connections. The course builds strong written communication skills for both academic and real-world applications.

Students build on English 1 foundations by analyzing diverse literary genres through close reading and critical interpretation. They examine how authors use language, structure, and literary techniques to create meaning across poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. Through evidence-based writing and class discussions, students develop sophisticated analytical skills while exploring different cultural perspectives.

By the end of this year-long survey of American literature, students will have studied representative works from colonial writings to modern narratives. Students will develop skills in analytical and argumentative writing, relating to what is read through critical discussions to deepen their understanding of key literary themes. The curriculum will be centered around thematic units, each designed to spark thought-provoking exploration through essential questions. 

This course is a year-long exploration of key movements in the British literary tradition, tracing its evolution from the Anglo-Saxon era to the Victorian age, examining universal themes, and historical influences. Students will engage in close reading, critical discussions, and analytical writing,  engaging with texts that reflect cultural shifts in perspectives. Emphasis is placed on students building a foundation for college-level literary analysis.

Focuses on close reading, analytical writing, and language skills with immediate relevance for students’ current and future work both inside and outside the classroom. Texts inspire and prepare students for close, critical reading. The course trains the reader to observe the small details within a text to arrive at a deeper understanding of the whole. It also trains the writer to focus on crafting complex sentences as the foundation for writing that facilitates complex thinking. Classroom work guides students to examine and appreciate authors’ choices, developing an awareness of how words produce effects and how the conventions of the English language are used for both precision and style.

This course develops and practices skills in research, collaboration, and the communication needed in any academic discipline. Students investigate topics in a variety of subject areas, write research-based essays, and design and present both individually and as part of a team. The typical content covers questioning and exploring, understanding, and analyzing, evaluating through multiple perspectives, and synthesis of topics for in-depth research and presentation.  

This course delves deeply into a topic of personal interest. Through a year-long investigation, students design, plan, and implement research to address a research question. They enhance their research skills, employ ethical practices, and analyze and synthesize information. Students document their skill development and curate their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in a 4,000-5,000-word academic paper, accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable, and an oral defense. Students should be prepared for college-level expectations.

This course explores outstanding works of fiction, poetry, and drama from various periods through close reading and critical analysis. Students will examine structure, style, themes, figurative language, imagery, and symbolism to deepen their understanding of the writer’s craft. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays, with opportunities for revision, collaboration, and feedback. Designed as a fast track for AP exam preparation, students will assess their understanding after each unit and refine their work based on actionable feedback. Readings are drawn from American, British, and World literature, emphasizing historical and cultural context. Passing the AP Literature and Composition exam offers students the opportunity to earn college credit.