In ninth grade, students continue to build upon skills previously learned in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will apply knowledge of literary terms and analyze a variety of genres. In ninth grade there will be an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading, and students will make inferences and draw conclusions using explicit and implied textual evidence. The student will continue to expand vocabulary using the structural analysis of roots and affixes to understand complex words. The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit while writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion while defending a position using counterclaims, reasons and evidence from credible sources. Students will analyze and interpret the social, commercial, and/or political motives behind media messages. Students will use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. The student will apply research techniques to analyze information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, and possible bias citing both quoted and paraphrased information using either MLA or APA style. Students will continue to work in collaborative groups assisting with setting rules and working toward consensus.

In tenth grade, students continue to build upon skills learned in earlier grades. There is a sustained emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will analyze the cultural and social function and universal themes of fictional texts from different cultures. Tenth grade students will analyze and synthesize information from nonfiction texts to solve problems, answer questions, and generate new knowledge. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, classical allusions, and figurative language. The student will continue to use the writing process to write/compose with an emphasis on persuasion and analysis while showing relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence from reliable sources. The student will create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students will continue to use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. The student will continue to build research skills presenting information gathered from diverse sources, identifying misconceptions and possible bias while crediting sources using MLA or APA style. The tenth-grade student will continue to become a skilled communicator, working both independently and in collaborative groups while presenting alternate views and working toward common goals.

The eleventh-grade student continues to build communication skills working both independently and in collaborative groups. Students will continue to demonstrate the In eleventh grade, there is a sustained emphasis on reading comprehension of fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will conduct comparative analyses of multiple texts that address the same topic to determine how authors reach similar or different conclusions. The students will examine and analyze fiction texts by American authors describing the contributions of other cultures and identifying prevalent themes and characterizations, which are reflective of American history and culture. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, classical allusions, and figurative language. The grade-eleven student will continue to use the writing process to write/compose with an emphasis on persuasion/argumentation for multiple purposes and audiences to create focused, organized, and coherent writing. The student will create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students will create persuasive multimodal presentations that address alternative perspectives. The student will produce a research product synthesizing information from primary and secondary sources while maintaining ethical and legal guidelines for gathering ability to work within collaborative groups while presenting alternate views and working toward common goals.

AP Language and Composition is recommended for students who want a challenging course that emphasizes the analysis of nonfiction. Students read a variety of works from several genres, time periods, and cultures, including a focus on texts by American authors. Varied and frequent composition assignments require close reading, rhetorical analysis, exposition of ideas, and the understanding of particular rhetorical forms and terms. Students have the opportunity to take the AP Language and Composition exam in May with the possibility of earning college credit.

In twelfth grade, there is a sustained emphasis on reading comprehension of fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will review multiple texts to identify and evaluate resources to make decisions and solve problems. The students will examine and analyze fiction texts evaluating how authors use key elements to contribute to meaning and interpreting how themes are connected across texts. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, classical allusions, and figurative language. The grade-twelve student will continue to use the writing process to write/compose with an emphasis on persuasion/argumentation for multiple purposes and audiences to create focused, organized, and coherent writing. Students will write to a standard acceptable to both the workplace and to postsecondary education. The student will create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students will create persuasive/argumentative multimodal presentations both independently and in collaborative groups. The student will produce a research product synthesizing information from primary and secondary sources while maintaining ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information. Students will continue to demonstrate the ability to work within diverse teams and collaborative groups working toward common goals.

AP Literature and Composition is recommended for students who want a challenging course that emphasizes the study and practice of writing and the analysis of literature (prose, fiction, poetry, and drama). Students read a variety of works from several genres and cultures. Varied and frequent composition assignments require close reading, literary analysis, exposition of ideas, and the understanding of particular literary forms and terms. Students have the opportunity to take the AP Literature and Composition exam in May with the possibility of earning college credit.

Students learn the basics of yearbook production while serving as staff members for the school yearbook. Units of study include school press law and ethics, layout and design, basic photography, basic publication technology, journalistic research, interviewing, unifying concept, plant preparation, and advertising. Students are introduced to publication software.

Students serve as staff members and page editors for the school yearbook. Units of study expand upon those introduced in Photojournalism I and add inclusion, accuracy, and fairness; polls and statistics; and yearbook management. Students use publication software to produce the school yearbook.

Students serve as editors for the school yearbook. Units of study expand upon those introduced in Photojournalism I and II and add press law, yearbook evaluation, video interviewing, and public relations. Students use publication software to produce the school yearbook.

Students explore the process of generating, transmitting, receiving, and evaluating ideas and feelings through intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, oral interpretation, group discussion, and public speaking. This course cultivates personal growth and development, develops oral communication skills to other academic disciplines and to life experiences.

Reading Strategies is an elective course for students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) who need specific instruction in reading and reading strategies. This course is taught based upon students' individual needs.

This course provides students with an in-depth study of writing in the academic disciplines through tutoring at a high school Writing Center. Students prepare to be peer tutors through an intense examination of the rules of compositions, critical reading, and analytical thinking about writing. Students are expected to refine and develop their own writing abilities through peer tutoring and reflective essays about their tutoring experiences.