This year-long interdisciplinary humanities course combines the study of American history and literature with the development of advanced composition skills and presentations on historical events through the use of technology. It is team taught by instructors from history and literature/composition. Students can receive credit for U. S. History, Advanced Composition and American Literature for university placement. Students will study the development of American culture from 1600 to the present, with primary attention to the essential and enduring features of American thought, values, customs and practices.

This course offers a rigorous preparation for college level writing and emulates a first-year college composition class by preparing students to "write effectively and confidently in their college courses across the curriculum and in their professional and personal lives" (College Board). Students will read and analyze a wide range of non-fiction texts—from newspaper editorials, to travel writing, to literary non-fiction, to biography, to sermons. Although most of the texts for the course are non-fiction, some works of fiction will be studied. In terms of reading, students will learn how to analyze and critique a wide range of non-fiction texts. Students will become familiar with the rhetorical strategies that make for effective, persuasive writing. Specific attention will be paid to the development and analysis of a written argument. Students will learn how to identify the elements of a strong argument and will grow to improve their own written arguments. Furthermore, in terms of writing, students will improve their mastery of standard written English and will grow in their ability to produce "analytic and argumentative compositions that introduce a complex idea and develop it" through the use of evidence. Students will continue to develop their ability to revise their own writing—improving upon its strengths and removing its weaknesses.

Students in this college–level course read and carefully analyze both English and American literature written in a variety of time periods, from the 16th Century through the contemporary period. This course will provide students with the intellectual challenges and workload consistent with a typical sophomore undergraduate English Literature class. The AP Literature exam in May is a three hour test; one hour of multiple choice questions (45% of total score) and two hours dedicated to composing three essays, typically a close reading of a passage, a poem analysis, and an open question which requires you to draw from any number of works you have covered throughout the course of the year (55% of total score). Practice essays and exams are given throughout the year. Based on their scores, they may be granted advanced placement, college credit, or both at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

English I is the first step into college and career readiness. In this course, students will read a wide variety of texts over several units to develop their skills in writing, vocabulary, reading, and collaboration. Students will learn effective techniques in communication, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while delving into fiction, nonfiction, poetry, mythology, and drama. English I will prepare students with the necessary skills to achieve success during their high school career, inside and outside of the classroom.

English I Honors is an advanced English class for the more motivated, capable English student. Students who opt for this more challenging course will undertake copious reading and writing throughout the year. Literature studied in this course includes mythology, the novel, drama, non-fiction, and poetry. The course also emphasizes grammar and vocabulary.

This course meets entrance requirements for the University of California and California State University systems and is aligned with Common Core Standards. The course offers a rigorous curriculum that includes a variety of complex, board-approved novels, thematically linked nonfiction, and poetry. Students will be challenged with sophisticated literature that will prepare them for college preparatory English and real world applications. Course work will include the development of evidence-based claims, textual analysis, composition, vocabulary, grammar, digital literacy, interpretation, reflection, and synthesis. Course work will promote communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.

English II Honors is designed for sophomores as a more rigorous alternative to English II College Prep. Students will build upon skills learned in English I/English I Honors in composition and reading. The course consists of extensive reading of a range of texts, including novels, short stories, plays, and poetry from a variety of historical eras and cultural backgrounds, including high level, complex nonfiction selections. The focus is on critical reading, analysis, and interpretation to produce thoughtful written responses to assigned readings. Written assignments, both formal and informal, are focused on detailed textual analysis, argument, and synthesis, and require students to express complex and interrelated ideas with clarity and a mature style.

This course meets entrance requirements for the University of California and California State University systems and is aligned with Common Core Standards. The course offers a rigorous curriculum that includes a variety of complex, board-approved fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students will explore universal themes that are present in American literature and apply their newfound insights to the real world. Students will develop skills in grammar, vocabulary, composition, verbal communication, reading strategies, and digital literacy through collaboration, interpretation, reflection, and synthesis.

The goal of the Expository Reading and Writing Course is to prepare college–bound seniors for the literacy demands of higher education. Through a sequence of fourteen rigorous instructional modules, students in a yearlong, rhetoric-based course develop advanced proficiencies in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. The cornerstone of the course-the assignment template-presents a process for helping students read, comprehend, and respond to nonfiction and literary texts. Modules also provide students in depth research methods and documentation conventions. Students will be expected to increase their awareness of the rhetorical strategies employed by authors, and to apply those strategies in their own writing.

By studying World Literature throughout the ages, the IB English program nurtures an understanding of the universal connection among people. Students analyze a variety of literature from different cultures to recognize similar and different thoughts, actions, and emotions. As students analyze various themes, genres and styles, they develop critical thinking skills. By recognizing the author's purpose and biases and their own perception, they expand the ability to critically evaluate evidence and respect diversity. As the students study literature, they expand their oral and written communication. Students read, discuss, and analyze quality literature; then write compositions of increasing length and complexity, or orally present their interpretations. By practicing different techniques, they present their ideas with insight, clarity, fluency, and unity.

By studying World Literature throughout the ages, the IB English program nurtures an understanding of the universal connection among people. Students analyze a variety of literature from different cultures to recognize similar and different thoughts, actions, and emotions. As students analyze various themes, genres and styles, they develop critical thinking skills. By recognizing the author's purpose and biases and their own perception, they expand the ability to critically evaluate evidence and respect diversity.

In this course, English language learners (ELs) who have participated in the program for over three years will continue to acquire academic language proficiency in English. The students will continue to develop the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing by participating in more rigorous and demanding thematically organized, practical, and interactive contexts using adopted curriculum. Students in this class are concurrently enrolled in grade level English. The course goals and objectives are based on the California ELD Standards: Grades 9 -12.