• Summer reading required

This is an academically demanding class that focuses on core and extended literature with an emphasis on preparing for the AP exam in the junior year.  The class develops the ability to write in a number of domains and reinforces prior command of sentence, paragraph, and essay structure.  Critical thinking skills, analysis, and research techniques are developed in a career research paper. This class assumes that students will budget time properly to handle a demanding workload. Students begin preparation of Senior Exhibition materials.  Students maintain a working portfolio to be passed on to the following grade level.  Students will read one book from the grade 10 reading list every six weeks, in addition to literature studied in the classroom.  Summer reading is required and students will be tested on it. 

English 11, English 11 SEI

English 11 and English 11 SEI are literature-based college preparatory courses that focus on a variety of genres in American Literature.  The writing curriculum focuses on expository and persuasive writing skills.  The writing curriculum culminates in a required research paper, which must demonstrate mastery of (Modern Language Association) MLA format.  The class also continues the progression of materials being developed for Senior Exhibition.  Students will maintain a writing portfolio to be passed on to the following grade level.

AP English Language/Comp 11

• Completion of English 10 with grade of A  or Honors English 10 with a C or better

• Teacher/Counselor recommendation

• Summer reading required

This is an academically demanding class which prepares students to take the Advanced Placement English Language Exam.  This class also begins the first of two years of required course work for the IB Exam.  Because of this assessment focus, the course assumes students have the ability to write college-level essays and to complete advanced assignments, requiring critical thinking and analysis skills.  Along with the AP component to the course, students will add materials for Senior Exhibition.  Success in this course requires the ability to manage time so the demanding assignments are completed in a timely manner.  Students will maintain a writing portfolio to be passed on to the following grade level. Summer reading is required, and students will be tested on it.

English 12, English 12 SEI  

English 12 and English 12 SEI focus on core works in British and world literature while completing materials for Senior Exhibition, a district-wide expectation. The writing curriculum continues to refine essay skills in a number of genres and culminates in a required term paper which must be completed in a timely manner.

IB English Literature 12 HL 2

• Completion of AP English Language/Comp 11 grade of C or better (recommended) or completion of English 11 with grade of A 

• Teacher/Counselor recommendation

• Summer reading required

This is an academically demanding course that focuses on in-depth literary response while using a variety of district-approved core and extended works. This class is an extension of AP English 11, and prior knowledge of the works covered in that year is assumed.  Students enrolled in this class should also be writing at a college level because of the nature of the exams upon which the course focuses.  A typical essay in this class is an analytical paper of 1,200 to 1,500 words in length and written in MLA (Modern Language Association) format.  In addition, students complete preparation for Senior Exhibition, a district-wide expectation. Summer reading is required, and students will be tested on it.

Yearbook Production (9-12)

• Teacher and yearbook advisor permission required
• Minimum 2.5 GPA required

This class produces La Revista, the school’s award-winning yearbook.  The focus of the course is writing; specifically, students will write feature articles and cover news.  Skills developed during the reporting process include research, interviewing, and observation.  Proofreading and editing skills are also emphasized.  In addition to writing, students in the course will learn the essentials of graphic design and photo imaging.  Creative students are highly encouraged to apply. Finally, fiscal responsibility is covered as students (along with the teacher) manage an actual budget and track expenses and revenues through the course of the year. 

• Meets UC/CSU “g” college prep elective requirement

Newspaper Production (10-12)

• Teacher and Newspaper Production permission required
• Minimum 2.5 GPA required

Newspaper Production examines the different aspects of the news media:  reporting, interviewing, writing, editing and publishing.  Ethics, copyright law, first amendment rights, censorship and other subjects will be discussed.  Students will also learn to write different types of articles:  news, sports, commentaries, reviews, human-interest stories, and how to publish them using professional software.  All work will be published in the school’s newspaper. Students should have a “B” in English and be willing to attend extra-curricular events. 

• Will be submitted to UC for “g” elective approval