English

On our path to creating educated and empowered citizens who are able to navigate all of the complex messages in their world, we strive to push our students to become creative, critical, and reflective thinkers who have authentic and informed voices. Within the language arts classroom, students will wield language as a tool of power.

In English I students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts to bridge their learning from middle school to high school. Students will engage in practices to support their emerging mastery of the CCSS for Writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English I will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

 

In an honors class students will be expected to meet the standards with less teacher scaffolding and more collaborative and independent practice. Although students at all levels of learning will have access to rigorous texts and grade level appropriate experiences, honors level courses may include advanced expectations in the following areas: text complexity, complexity of tasks and responses, and pacing. Students in English I honors will engage in practices that will prepare them for future honors and AP coursework as well as participate in a summer reading project. Honors courses are weighted.

 

In English II, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts that will build upon English I. Students will engage in practices to support their mastery of the CCSS for Writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English II will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

 

In an honors class students will be expected to meet the standards with less teacher scaffolding and more collaborative and independent practice. Although students at all levels of learning will have access to rigorous texts and grade level appropriate experiences, honors level courses may include advanced expectations in the following areas: text complexity, complexity of tasks and responses, and pacing. Students in English II honors will engage in practices that will prepare them for future honors and AP coursework as well as participate in a summer reading project. Honors courses are weighted.

 

 

IB HL World Literature is primarily a pre-university course in literature aimed at students who intend to pursue literature, or related studies, at university. This course introduces students to the analysis of literary texts. The course is organized into four parts, each focused on a group of literary works. Together, the four parts of the course add up to a comprehensive exploration of literature from a variety of cultures, genres and periods. Students learn to appreciate the artistry of literature, and develop the ability to reflect critically on their reading, presenting literary analysis powerfully through both oral and written communication.

 

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 pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smallerscale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.

In English III, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts that will emphasize college and career preparation. Students will engage in practices to support their emerging mastery of the CCSS for Writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English III will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

 

An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. The purpose of the AP English Language and Composition course is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers.

In English IV, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts that will prepare them for postsecondary experiences. Students will engage in practices to support their mastery of the CCSS for Writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English IV will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

Creative writing will support the development of narrative writing as identified in the CCSS. The course will focus on the fundamentals of writing fiction, e.g. short stories, plays, personal narratives, screenplays, poetry, etc. Students will delve into the craft of writing technique, tone, style, and voice as they draft, revise, and provide and receive feedback from peers and teacher.

In argument and debate, students will learn the principles and structure of argumentation that are aligned to the relevant strands of CCSS. This course is designed to present you with a set of systematic strategies which should increase your abilities to react critically and to form arguments. Strategies for advocating and arguing positions will be honed as students examine reasoning in speeches, conversations, essays, and group deliberations.

 

In this course, students will be given the opportunity to appreciate the depth and diversity of several world cultures from an interdisciplinary perspective. This course is aligned to all relevant strands of CCSS and emphasizes reading, writing and critical thinking through the analysis of literature, primary historical documents and oral presentations.

 

The interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge course is designed to develop a coherent approach to learning that transcends and unifies the academic areas and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives. This course is in part intended to encourage students to reflect on the huge cultural shifts worldwide around the digital revolution and the information economy. The extent and impact of the changes vary greatly in different parts of the world, but everywhere their implications for knowledge are profound. Theory of knowledge encourages critical thinking about knowledge itself and aims to help young people make sense of that they encounter.

 

The OneGoal Year One (Y1) course curriculum provides juniors in high school the opportunities and resources to explore college as a realistic, attainable post-high school option. The daily 45-minute Lessons place a strong emphasis on personal and collective goal setting with an intensive college awareness curriculum, along with ACT test preparation, to maximize potential and open up the doors of possibility for students’ futures. During Y1, students demonstrate their commitment to the three-year OneGoal Fellowship. As individuals and as a cohort, the students develop accountability with respect to their goals while embodying Five Leadership Principles: Professionalism, Ambition, Integrity, Resilience and Resourcefulness.

 

The OneGoal Year Two (Y2) curriculum provides Y2 Fellows with the tools, guidance, and resources necessary to successfully apply to and enroll in college for the fall, secure the proper financial aid, and become 100% ‘college-ready’ in advance of their first day on a college campus. It is an incredibly important year of work that will result in high school graduation and matriculation at the wisest best-fit match college choice for each Fellow’s needs and abilities.

 

The Y2 college process is called AAA&E (“triple A and E,” described below), with each letter in the acronym representing one of four core components of the process: Application, Admission, Aid, and Enrollment. AAA&E sessions will be paired with College 201 sessions, during which Fellows complete assignments that will prepare them for the academic and social life to expect on campus during Y3 and beyond.

 

During Y2, students develop accountability with respect to their goals while embodying Five Leadership Principles: Professionalism, Ambition, Integrity, Resilience and Resourcefulness.

 

This course is designed for 12th grade students to ensure successful transition to college. Through this course students will engage in interactive and research-based lessons and activities that will help strengthen their personal, social, and academic skills and abilities, as well as their college knowledge and readiness. Through this course students will complete all college planning activities in Naviance to ensure every student graduates with a concrete college plan.