This survey course of British literature, studied in a historical context, includes the reading and discussion of English authors and novels. Literature-based creative and critical writing is taught. The course work requires a synthesis of the skills taught through the first three years of the high school English program, emphasizing increasingly sophisticated skills in analysis, discussion, and writing. The challenging content is designed to prepare students for college level reading, thinking, literary analysis, and writing.

English 10 is a college preparatory language arts course which expands and strengthens the skills developed in English 9. This world literature based course emphasizes critical reading, composition and speaking skills. Students will study short stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction and novels. The course also includes writing instruction, focusing on argumentation and information/explanatory texts. Students will also develop skills in research, digital media, and vocabulary acquisition and use.

English 11 is a college preparatory language arts course in which students will study traditional and contemporary works drawn from American literature. Materials include novels, plays, short stories, essays, poetry and non-fiction. Student writing focuses on refining the thesis statement and developing the skills necessary for multiple writing tasks as well as the examination of rhetorical techniques in nonfiction writing. The course also includes grammar instruction and vocabulary development.

English 9 is an introductory course that builds on the skills learned in the middle school years and lays a foundation of skills that students will need for high school, college and career. It is a course that integrates literature and non-fiction with an emphasis on critical reading and composition skills. These skills include: close reading, gathering and evaluating information, literary analysis, narrative and analytical writing, timed writing, vocabulary acquisition, collaborative discussion, presentations in a variety of formats, and grammar and usage. Students are exposed to a variety of genres: novels, short stories, plays, poetry, and non-fiction.

AP English Literature is a rigorous, college level course focusing on the study of significant literary works. Students analyze literature, poetry, and essays in terms of concepts and the role of these concepts in the development of the World. The reading list is extensive and written work emphasizes a mature level of insight, the development of careful and thorough analysis, and sophisticated language use. Participation in class discussion is essential. This is an Advanced Placement course that prepares students to take the AP Literature and Composition exam in May.

This class is for Advanced English Language Learners. Students continue to refine skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar. Grammar instruction emphasizes the "editing process" for personal habitual error patterns each student makes in the English language. Note-taking skills, vocabulary, and literary analysis are emphasized. Students write analytical papers of between three and six paragraphs in length, depending on personal skills level. Subject matter includes the analysis and comprehension of poetry, short stories, novels, film, art, and cultural awareness topics. Students write memoir and personal response papers and a cultural studies project. The class is conducted in a "seminar" style; hence class discussions and oral participation are emphasized. Field trips occur throughout the year in order to help students develop cultural and aesthetic awareness.

The Hero's Journey is a year-long exploration of what it means to be a hero - from ancient times to the present. Students will read fiction and non-fiction and view films that present heroism across the ages and across cultures. They will explore what it means to be a good person. They will study the research and the stories that describe human strengths, resilience, redemption and the meanings of success. They will have opportunities to define their own concepts of honor. As the course progresses, they will be expected to apply what they are learning about themselves and others in community service projects. They will learn to reflect and to articulate their findings, orally and in writing.

AP English Language is a rigorous, college level course emphasizing expository writing and critical reading. Writing assignments include in-class timed writings and out-of-class essays. The analysis of many forms of literature (i.e. novels, non-fiction essays, reflective essays, letters, etc.) focuses on how authors use language and literary devices to inform or persuade. Students also continue to work on grammar and vocabulary development. This is an Advanced Placement course that prepares students to take the AP Language and Composition exam in May.

Students read classic and contemporary novels and study the writing, stylistic, thematic, and artistic elements of the novel as a form of literature. Close reading and essay response to the literature are major components of this course. Course work requires a synthesis of the skills taught through the first three years of the high school English program, emphasizing increasingly sophisticated skills in analysis, discussion, and writing. Novels are often grouped into thematic units of study. The course includes both whole class study and independent reading of novels.

This course is designed to prepare seniors for the rigor and depth of college-level reading and writing requirements under a distinct genre lens. The course work requires a synthesis of the skills taught through the first three years of the high school English program, emphasizing increasingly sophisticated skills in analysis, discussion, research, and writing. Students read expansively for comprehension of content and to evaluate authors' biases and purposes. Students write for a variety of purposes in preparation for college, including application essays, placement assessments, expository analysis of non-fiction, and interpretive literary analysis. Students continue to build writing skills through process draft writing, grammar review, and vocabulary development. The course provides extensive and challenging reading of the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres, ranging from novels, short stories, films, graphic novels, and epics, as well as critical essays and related articles. Classroom discussions will tackle challenging themes, philosophical views, and contemporary issues. Students will focus on science fiction as allegory and sociopolitical commentary looking at issues of gender, class, technology, and religion. Also, students will focus on fantasy, its appearance of escapism, mythic qualities, and its relation to cultural legends as a shared national text, as well as the above criteria.

This is an introductory skills-based, visual art course that introduces students to a variety of media. Students will also learn about art history and develop aesthetic valuing skills through writing. Class assignments are based on the California Visual Art Standards and introduce students to the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design. This class prepares students for the next level of art classes.

Students apply artistic processes and skills, using a wide variety of media, to communicate meaning and intent to works of art based on the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design. Students further develop skills learned in Art 1 to create more individualized works of art moving from proficient to advanced levels. The study of Art History and culture are included in the curriculum. Assignments are based on the California Visual Arts Standards.