English Language Arts

English 9-Foundations of Literature

Ninth Grade ELA gives students a strong basis in the elements of literature.  Students look for deep understanding of text at a level that makes us ready for college and careers.

English 10-World Literature

English 10 presents students to common human themes from world authors.

English 11-American Literature

In 11th Grade students read texts that make up the American canon.

English 12-College Readiness

In senior year, students work on college reading and writing classes.

AP Language and Composition

The AP Lang class is a basic college-level speaking and writing class. Among other things, students learn to write evidence-based critical essays. They:

• evaluate,
• synthesize, and
• Cite research to support their arguments.

AP Literature and Composition

The AP Lit test uses multiple-choice questions and free-response prompts to test students' skills in literary analysis texts.  Students learn:

• Critical reading skills.
• content,
• Form and style of text. 
• analyzing
• interpreting literary texts and,
• Composing clear and effective essays.

Creative Writing

Our creative writing course helps students learn about, and express themselves through the art of writing.

College Writing

College writing is a core class.  It helps students improve and master the principals of writing at a college level.  

The grading policy is how students are graded based on the weight of different types of work that students do in their classrooms.  All teachers use the grading policies listed.  The word "assessment" can be quizzes, tests/exams, essays or any major work that teacher’s use to test student learning.

Grading Policy

Daily/Weekly Assignments: 35%

Any work that tests student understanding within a unit of study, or on a daily/weekly basis:

• Do Nows/ Warm-Ups
• Quizzes
• Exit Slips
• Performances of Understanding (classwork)
• Homework

Summative Assessments: 35%

Any work        that tests student understanding at the end of learning. These require students to apply skills and content acquired over time. A minimum of 2 per marking period:

• Unit Exams
• Finals
• Midterms
• Projects
• Performance Tasks
• Research Papers
• Essays

 Scholarship: 20%

This area takes into tests student performance in non-academic areas. Grades issued based on marking period data.

• Attendance (90% + in the individual class)
• Timeliness (On-time 90 %+)
• Behavior (no more than 3 demerits in a marking period)
• Organization (maintains notes)
• Respect for property (handles school property with care)
• Class participation (Contributes to class and small-group discussion)

 Student Self-Assessments: 10%

This area tests students’ effort to improve themselves. There will be a minimum of two opportunities for reflection and/or revision.

• End of unit reflections
• Test or paper revisions