English - Electives

Creative Writing 1 invites students to explore and develop their unique writing voice and style through extensive practice and revision. Students will experiment with a wide range of subjects, genres, techniques, purposes, and audiences, producing polished original works in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Emphasis is placed on creativity, craft, and the writing process—from brainstorming and drafting to peer feedback and final publication. Students will submit selected pieces for inclusion in the school’s literary magazine, gaining experience in preparing work for public readership. This course fosters imaginative expression, critical reflection, and confidence in sharing ideas through the written word.

Creative Writing 2 is designed for students who have successfully completed Creative Writing 1 and wish to further refine their craft. This advanced course deepens students’ understanding of voice, style, and technique through extensive writing and revision across multiple genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Students will study the composing processes of professional writers to inform their own creative choices and enhance their literary awareness. A key component of the course is active participation in the production of the school’s literary magazine, offering students authentic experience in editing, design, and publication. Creative Writing 2 fosters artistic growth, critical reflection, and preparation for future creative endeavors.

Students who did not pass the 8th grade language arts SOLs or are two or more years below grade level in reading are required to participate in this remedial program which does not replace English 9. Students work intensely with reading comprehension strategies and the writing domains in a small class setting. An opportunity to retake the 8th grade SOLs is offered in the spring.

Enrichment in Speech Communications is designed for students who have completed Introduction to Speech and wish to further develop their public speaking and performance skills. This advanced course reinforces and refines foundational techniques while expanding students’ abilities in competitive speaking formats. Students will prepare for and participate in intra-scholastic contests including Forensics, Student Congress, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and/or Policy Debate, gaining experience in argumentation, interpretation, and formal presentation. Emphasis is placed on advanced delivery strategies, critical thinking, and audience awareness. Through practice, performance, and peer critique, students build confidence and versatility as communicators in academic and competitive settings.

Global Connections in Multicultural Literature is a junior/senior enrichment course designed to immerse students in the lifestyles, cultures, traditions, and experiences of various ethnic groups within American culture through the study of representative literature, field trips, speakers, and projects. Students broaden their understanding of multicultural literature by drawing upon personal experiences, discussions, and presentations as they expand their understanding of America's diverse and changing society.

Introduction to Speech develops students’ public speaking skills while exploring the dynamics of effective verbal communication. Students will learn the principles of speech delivery, audience engagement, and rhetorical strategies across a variety of formats. The course introduces categories of competitive speech (forensics), including original oratory, extemporaneous speaking, and dramatic interpretation. Through the creative process of oral interpretation, students will analyze and perform literary texts, enhancing their expressive abilities and confidence. Emphasis is placed on preparation, performance, and constructive critique, equipping students with the tools to speak with clarity, purpose, and impact in academic and real-world settings.

Journalism 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of journalistic writing and media production. Students will study and produce a variety of article types, including news, features, sports, editorials, and human-interest stories, while developing skills in interviewing, research, and ethical reporting. The course also explores legal rights and responsibilities of journalists, page design, photography, desktop publishing, and advertising. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, with students contributing original content for publication in school and local media outlets. Journalism 1 fosters critical thinking, media literacy, and effective communication in both print and digital formats.

Journalism 2 is an advanced course for students who have completed Journalism I and are ready to apply their skills in a professional, collaborative setting. Students work as a newsroom team to produce a school news publication, taking on roles in writing, editing, photography, design, and layout. Building on foundational techniques, students refine their journalistic voice and apply ethical standards, research strategies, and media production skills in real-world contexts. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, editorial decision-making, and meeting publication deadlines. Journalism 2 provides authentic experience in media creation and prepares students for leadership roles in student journalism and beyond.

Journalism 3 is an advanced course for experienced student journalists who are ready to take on editorial leadership and mentor roles within the publication staff. Students deepen their understanding of professional journalism by studying the role of the press in society, developing editorial judgment, and modeling ethical standards. As leaders, mentors, and peer tutors, students guide the newsroom team through the production process and uphold the quality and integrity of the publication. Journalism 3 fosters professionalism, collaboration, and civic responsibility through authentic journalistic practice.

Journalism 4 is for student journalists who have demonstrated mastery of reporting, writing, and editorial leadership. This advanced class emphasizes innovation, investigative journalism, and multimedia storytelling. Students could take full responsibility for managing the publication process, including setting editorial policy, overseeing production schedules, and ensuring adherence to professional standards. Students pursue in-depth independent projects. Journalism 4 prepares students for college-level journalism and media careers by fostering independence, ethical decision-making, and advanced communication skills in a dynamic, real-world context.

Students study and practice the skills necessary for improving scores on the PSAT - SAT® tests.

Yearbook is a hands-on course in publication design and production, where students collaborate to create the high school yearbook from concept to completion. Students learn and apply skills in layout design, photography, writing, editing, and desktop publishing. They participate in every stage of production, including planning the ladder diagram, organizing content, designing pages, and distributing the final publication. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, time management, and attention to detail. This course offers students a unique opportunity to document the school year while developing real-world communication and media skills. Yearbook may be taken more than once for credit.

This course is designed to support students who need specific instruction in reading and writing secondary content material. It aims to strengthen literacy skills and strategies, particularly for those reading one year or more below expected grade level according to appropriate literacy screeners. The course provides direct instruction in content area reading skills

Additionally, the course provides differentiated instruction specific to student needs through the application of evidence-based literacy strategies such as questioning, visualizing, connecting, predicting, summarizing, and monitoring one's understanding. Through these focused areas, students will develop the necessary skills to navigate and comprehend complex secondary content material.