English

This course is required for all freshman students. English 9 is a combination course which implements elements of literature, Socratic discussion, writing (both formal and creative), grammar, and vocabulary. The course includes fiction and nonfiction (short stories, novels and poetry), essay writing and research (formal writing), Shakespeare and drama, and SAT vocabulary. English 9 is meant to prepare students for further course work both at Valley and for their college career as well as real life and work related reading and writing.

Full year—1 credit

This course is required for all sophomore students. It builds upon the skills acquired in English 9 while preparing the students for English 11. Students will deepen their understanding of literature through the study of short stories, novels, Shakespeare, and poetry. Writing skills will be developed in formal research papers, creative writing, analytical essays, and online discussions. Oral communication, textual analysis, and argumentative skills will be strengthened with the inclusion of frequent Socratic discussions. Additionally, students will strengthen their ability to apply knowledge of academic and literary vocabulary in preparation for the SAT/ACT and future academic coursework.

Prerequisite: English 9

Full year – 1 credit

This course is required for all junior students and places a major emphasis on the study of American literature in a chronological context. Students will extend and build upon the skills they have developed in English 10 and prepare for English 12. Students will demonstrate competence in the use of the English language by writing a variety of expository and creative assignments, including a research paper and making formal and informal oral presentations. The units in this course integrate the study of literature, grammar, composition, and SAT vocabulary.

Prerequisite: English 10

Full year—1 credit

This is a course for twelfth grade college preparatory students. It helps to prepare students for English 101 by requiring the refining of expository, expressive, research, and argumentative writing skills. The literature component of the course includes studies of British and World Literature, contemporary literature, critical and process analysis, figurative language, rhetoric, and style. In preparation for the actual college experience, this course engages in Socratic Discussion as well as independent and cooperative learning experiences which are required on most college campuses.

Prerequisite: English 11

Full year—1 credit

This course, for juniors and seniors, is designed according to the requirements and guidelines of the current AP College Board English Course Description. It is equivalent to an introductory, diverse college composition course in which students are required to write in several forms including analytical, expository, and argumentative as well as read a variety of nonfiction texts from the Classical Era to the present. There is an emphasis on the basic tenets of rhetoric, which include the author’s purpose, addressing and appealing to an audience, structures, style, and strategies.

Prerequisite: English 10; accepted application/teacher approval

Full year—1 credit

This course, for juniors and seniors, is designed according to the requirements and guidelines of the current AP College Board English Course Description. It is equivalent to an introductory, college literature course in which students read and analyze a variety of fiction texts from the Classical Era to the present. There is an emphasis on identifying complex themes and the literary elements that support those themes, articulating in-depth analysis through writing and discussion.

Prerequisite: AP English Language and Composition

Full year—1 credit