Student registration in an Advanced Placement (AP) or honors course is based on academic record, teacher recommendation, and student motivation. AP courses are designed in conjuncion with the curriculum expectations of the College Board's AP Program and also seek to prepare students to take the AP exam in May. Students may receive credit and/or AP standing at the college or university they plan to attend. Students and parents must be aware that AP and honors courses are quite rigorous and require a great deal of self-directed study and additional reading. It is strongly recommended that students seek a teacher recommendation before registering for an AP or honors course. Prerequisites must be met before a student may enroll in an AP or honors course listed below. A student may enroll in these courses only at the beginning of the school year. The student will be transferred from an honors course or AP course at the semester if he or she is not maintaining a grade of "C" or better.
Honors English 9 (YR)
This course is for students who possess superior language arts skills and have the desire to learn at an intense and accelerated pace. Students will examine the principal literary genres in a varied selection of short stories, novels, and plays. The focus of the class will be critical analysis of the literature through discussion and writing. A vocabulary program is also included in the curriculum.
Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: Open to students who score in at least the 95th percentile in the English and reading section of the EXPLORE test.
Two semesters, two credits. This course fulfills the freshman English requirement.
Honors English 10 (YR)
This course is intended for students who demonstrate superior language arts skills and have the desire to learn at an accelerated pace. Students read approximately 10 classic and contemporary novels and plays from Greek, European, and American literature and selected works of poetry. The intensive writing program includes multi-paragraph essays of various forms. Also included in the course are a research project and a speech unit, in which students gain experience in organizing and delivering formal and informal oral presentations. A vocabulary program is also part of the curriculum.
Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: “B” or above in both semesters of Honors English 9 or “A” in both semesters of English 9 in addition to the English department placement test score.
Two semesters, two credits. This course fulfills the sophomore English requirement.
AP English Literature and Composition (YR)
This is an intense, college-level course in the reading and critical analysis of literature with a heavy emphasis on formal expository composition. A range of literature representative of different genres and historical periods will be read, including approximately 10 novels, 20 short stories, 8 plays, and a wide selection of poetry. This yearlong course is a preparation for the AP Literature exam that is given in mid-May. Thus, it is expected that students taking this course will also take the AP Literature exam.
Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: “A”: in junior year English courses and/or “B” or higher in AP Language and Composition.
Two semesters, two credits, open to seniors with teacher approval.
AP Language and Composition (S2)
This accelerated writing course is taken in lieu of Advanced Composition and is designed for those students who possess advanced writing skills. It is designed to further challenge these students as writers and to prepare them for more complex writing situations. Students will be required to complete one major individual writing project along with a variety of compositions.
Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: “A” in both semesters of English 10 or a “B” or higher in both semesters of Honors English 10 in addition to passing the department placement test.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors. This course fulfills the junior Advanced Composition requirement.
