JUNIORS
In eleventh grade, the curriculum shifts to a multi-genre literature course centered on the American experience. Students delve into historical contexts while refining analysis and research skills. The emphasis extends to various writing purposes and audiences.
Junior English
1 Credit
Eleventh-grade English is a diverse literature course that delves into the American experience through its various perspectives and voices to enhance students’ understanding of historical periods and their relevance to contemporary life. Students will explore novels, including The Great Gatsby, short stories, essays, and other non-fiction works. Juniors will continue to work on their skills in analysis and research, emphasizing grammar and comprehending writing for diverse audiences and purposes, particularly in expository, research, descriptive, and personal narrative writing.
Junior English Foundations
1 Credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This course is designed for students planning to enter the workforce directly after graduation or pursue further education in technical or vocational fields. The curriculum emphasizes foundational reading, writing, and communication skills essential for success in the modern world. Students will engage with accessible texts, including classic literature like The Great Gatsby and high-interest modern fiction, to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Writing instruction will focus on mastering basic grammar, sentence structure, and paragraph development, gradually progressing toward more complex written expression.
Junior English Honors
1 Credit Prerequisite: Honors Sophomore English, or teacher recommendation
This rigorous course offers a critical exploration of American literature, examining diverse perspectives and voices to enhance students’ understanding of historical periods and their relevance to contemporary life. As part of the curriculum, all junior students will read The Great Gatsby, analyzing its historical context, themes, and connections to modern experiences. Students will study at least four novels, along with short stories and non-fiction articles, developing their analytical and interpretive skills. The course emphasizes clear and coherent articulation of ideas through class discussions and written assignments. Students will be challenged to think critically and be willing and motivated to participate in frequent class Harkness discussions. They will refine their personal narrative
writing, including the college essay, and apply a critical lens to research, culminating in a major research paper and a comprehensive, student-driven year-end project.
AP Language and Composition
1 Credit Prerequisite: Sophomore English Honors or teacher recommendation
Advanced Placement Language and Composition is an intensive and intellectually challenging course designed to hone students ' critical reading, writing, and analytical skills at a collegelevel proficiency. By exploring diverse rhetorical strategies, students will learn to dissect and evaluate various forms of discourse, including essays, articles, speeches, and visual texts. Emphasizing the development of a nuanced writing style, the course encourages students to craft persuasive, well-reasoned arguments while refining their ability to synthesize information from multiple sources. Rigorous analysis of literature, nonfiction, and multimedia sources will foster an in-depth understanding of language and its impact on communication. This course prepares students for success on the Advanced Placement Language and Composition exam and equips them with the skills necessary for college-level writing and critical thinking in various academic and professional contexts.
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