English 1 courses build upon students' prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing and usually include the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Typically, these courses introduce and define various genres of literature, with writing exercises often linked to reading selections.

English 2 courses usually offer a balanced focus on composition and literature. Typically, students learn about the alternate aims and audiences of written compositions by writing persuasive, critical, and creative multi-paragraph essays and compositions. Through the study of various genres of literature, students can improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author's intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to deliver his or her message.

English 3 courses continue to develop students' writing skills, emphasizing clear, logical writing patterns, word choice, and usage, as students write essays and begin to learn the techniques of writing research papers. Students continue to read works of literature, which often form the backbone of the writing assignments. Literary conventions and stylistic devices may receive greater emphasis than in previous courses.

English 4 courses blend composition and literature into a cohesive whole as students write critical and comparative analyses of selected literature, continuing to develop their language arts skills. Typically, students primarily write multi-paragraph essays, but they may also write one or more major research papers.

The course requires students to develop evidence-based analytic and argumentative essays that proceed through several stages or drafts. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Throughout the course, students develop a personal style by making appropriate grammatical choices. Additionally, students read and analyze the rhetorical elements and their effects in non-fiction texts, including graphic images as forms of text, from many disciplines and historical periods.

The course engages students in the close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work's structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.

World History courses provide students with an overview of the history of human society from early civilization to the contemporary period, examining political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments. World History courses may include geographical studies, but often these components are not as explicitly taught as geography.

U.S. History courses provide students with an overview of the history of the United States, examining time periods from discovery or colonialism through World War II or after. These courses typically include a historical overview of political, military, scientific, and social developments. Course content may include a history of the North American peoples before European settlement.

Social Science courses combine a study of the structure of national, state, and local U.S. government with an overview of the principles of market economics. Course content may include contemporary U.S. issues. These courses prepare students to perform effectively as informed citizens.

African American History provides students of all ethnicities an opportunity to explore ancient African civilizations, the slave trade, the role of African Americans (both enslaved and free) in the growth of our nation, the anti-slavery movement, the Civil War and Reconstruction, decades of cultural achievement despite continued repression and the Civil Right Movement, including legislative and judicial landmarks. The course is designed to meet the needs of minority students of African descent to 1) understand and appreciate their African origins and 2) trace the history of their forefathers' enslavement, liberation and on going struggle for equality in the United States. Students will engage in independent reading and research regarding the lives of prominent African American leaders.

Seven themes of equal importance -- American and National Identity; Migration and Settlement; Politics and Power; Work, Exchange, and Technology; America in the World; Geography and the Environment; and Culture and Society -- provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. These require students to reason = historically about continuity and change over time and make comparisons among various historical developments in different times and places. The course also allows teachers flexibility across nine different periods of U.S. history to teach topics of their choice in depth.

The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments.