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A challenging curriculum and dedicated teachers help Academy students reach their highest potential.
Courses Offered
ENGLISH 8 is designed as an extensive review of the fundamentals of grammar, usage and mechanics. Students will learn the organization and development of a paragraph. Students will be introduced to basic literary terms found in the literature selections. Vocabulary workbooks and novels are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: None
DYNAMICS OF EFFECTIVE STUDY is a one-semester course required of eighth graders and selected freshmen. This course gives students information and practice in the basic study skills needed to be successful in high school and beyond. Topics covered include practicing time management, using a textbook, improving memory, studying, test taking, reading, vocabulary, and developing critical thinking skills. Workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: Placement
BASIC COMPOSITION is a one-semester course required of selected freshmen. This course allows students to practice writing in situations common in an academic setting. Students study and complete writing assignments in the four types of academic writing: description, narration, persuasion, and exposition. In addition, students learn how to effectively use a library and complete research assignments.
Prerequisite: Placement based on entrance test results
ENGLISH I combines grammar and literature and covers the principles of syntax, usage, and mechanics for the purpose of better understanding the writing process,. Emphasis is placed on sentence structure. The literature section offers an introduction to the novel, short story, drama, and poetry. Paperback novels and workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: None
ENGLISH I-HONORS is designed for the more advanced student. Its main focus is the development of reading and writing skills. This course involves an extensive study of English grammar and composition. The literature taught includes short stories, poetry, Shakespearean drama, and the novel. Also required are supplemental readings and creative writing assignments. Paperback novels and workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: Enrollment is based on Entrance test results.
ENGLISH II includes an extension of English Grammar and Composition I. Emphasis is placed on the development of the paragraph and the three-paragraph essay. American Literature is a survey course from the Colonial Period to the present. Paperback novels and workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: English I
ENGLISH II-HONORS is an extension of Composition I. American Literature is a survey class from the Colonial Period to the present. Emphasis is placed on development of the paragraph and the three paragraph essay. In addition to the novels required in English II, the students are to read additional novels, participate in journal and poetry writing, and complete a literary analysis. Emphasis is placed on improving writing skills and developing higher level thinking skills. Paperback novels and workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: “B” average in English I-H or “A” average in English I
ENGLISH III includes an extension of English Grammar and Composition II with emphasis placed on maintaining proficiency in writing the multi-paragraph essay, using methods of development studied in the previous years. A major part of this course is the writing of a well-documented research paper. British Literature is a survey course from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. Paperback novels and workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: English I and II
ENGLISH III-HONORS is designed for those students who have excelled in composition and in comprehension of the literature in previous courses. Emphasis is placed on refining writing skills and increasing analytical skills. Essay requirements are more extensive than those of English III. A formal research paper is also required. British Literature selections are analyzed more intensively than those of English III. Selections included are more abstract and require higher-level critical thinking skills. Paperbacks and vocabulary workbooks must be purchased.
Prerequisite: “B” overall average in English I-H and II-H or “A” average in English I and II
AP ENGLISH III is the AP English Language and Composition class open to approved sophomores and juniors who will take the AP exam in Language and Composition. Students learn the key elements of rhetoric including the rhetorical triangle of ethos-logos-pathos. They discover methods of improving their close reading skills, including the use of annotation and graphic organizers. They are introduced to the synthesis essay and given examples of the types of sources used and tips on how to effectively use these sources. Students will analyze writing styles of various authors and use the techniques they have learned to improve their own writing. A fee of approximately $80 is required for the AP exam.
Prerequisite: “B” overall average in English I-H and II-H
ENGLISH IV includes Grammar and Composition IV as a writing course geared toward the college bound student with emphasis on polishing writing skills and improving writing style. A formal well-documented research paper is required as a major independent writing assignment. World Literature is a survey course from ancient times to modern times. Paperbacks novels and vocabulary workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: English I, II, and III
ENGLISH IV-HONORS is a course designed for those juniors and seniors who have excelled in both composition and the comprehension of literature studied in previous courses. The course includes a heightened accentuation on advanced writing skills and the analysis and comprehension of a myriad of literary genres found amongst diverse cultures. Paperback novels and vocabulary workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite:“B” overall average in English I-H, II-H, and III-H or “A” average in English I, II, and III
AP ENGLISH IV is the AP English Literature and Composition class open to those students who will take the AP exam in Literature and Composition. It is designed to teach students how to understand and write about literature at the college level. Through close reading and analysis of a selection of texts, students will gain an understanding of, and appreciation for, a writer’s use of literary conventions. They will also study biographical information about the author’s work. Students will recognize literature as a tool for expressing thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Additional materials such as videos, audio recordings, and primary documents will broaden the scope of the work, enhancing its value beyond its pages, providing students an opportunity to synthesize the materials as they experience, interpret, and analyze each text. A variety of writing assignments will assess how well students interpret the works of various authors of non-fiction, fiction, drama, and poetry. By creating an assortment of original works, students will recognize the value of word choice, diction, and style in their own literary creations. Exercises in grammar and vocabulary will help to develop each student's writing style. A fee of approximately $80 is required for the AP exam.
Prerequisite: “B” overall average in English I-H, II-H, and III-H or “A” average in English I, II, and III
ENGLISH V is designed for students who entered the Academy with English I credit. The first semester consists of continued emphasis on essay writing and research writing plus analysis of several of the major works in World Literature. Students continue to study vocabulary, review the rules of English grammar and master critical thinking skills as related to literary content. Paperback novels and vocabulary workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisite: English I, II, III, and IV
ENGLISH V-HONORS is designed for advanced students who entered the Academy with English I credit. The first semester, Humanities, consists of advanced emphasis on essay writing and research writing plus analysis of several of the major works in World Literature. The second semester, Creative Writing, is designed to assist students in using and developing their creative writing talents. Major assignments include character sketches, poetry, fables, a children’s story, and an original short story. Paperback novels and vocabulary workbooks are to be purchased.
Prerequisites: “B” overall average in English I-H, II-H, III-H, and IV-H or “A” average in English I, II, III, and IV.
PUBLICATIONS I: NEWSPAPER is the study of the basic skills required to write news and to produce a school news publication. Special attention is given to the different types of news stories, types of leads, interviews, various methods of gathering information for a story, and ethics in writing. This course is open to approved juniors and seniors with above average writing ability. A workbook is to be purchased.
Prerequisite: Teacher approval
PUBLICATIONS I: YEARBOOK introduces the student to the fundamentals of journalistic procedures as they apply to yearbook production. Included are photography, writing, editing, design, graphics, typography, and public relations. The student will then apply this knowledge to help produce the Academy yearbook. This course will be open to approved juniors and seniors with above average writing ability.
Prerequisite: Teacher approval
PUBLICATIONS II: NEWSPAPER refines the skills learned in Newspaper I. The student accepts the responsibility to produce the school newspaper.
This course is open to approved seniors. A workbook is to be purchased.
Prerequisite: Publications I: Newspaper and Teacher approval
PUBLICATIONS II: YEARBOOK refines the skills learned in Publications I: Yearbook. The student accepts the responsibility to supervise, design, plan, and produce the Academy yearbook. This course will be open to approved seniors.
Prerequisite: Publications I: Yearbook and Teacher approval
Only two publication courses may be taken for credit.
MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS is a year course open to juniors and seniors and will enhance their knowledge through verbal and written skills, hands-on activities, and presentation skills. This course will focus on the modern forms of communication such as television concepts, advertising, writing for television and resources for the internet. Students will complete several in-class and out-of-class projects and assignments.
Prerequisite: Teacher approval only
ACT PREP is a one semester class that will be taught on a Pass/Fail basis for no high school credit. This ACT Prep course is an on-line computer assisted class that will help students prepare, as well as improve, ACT scores. This program identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each student and designs an individualized program of study based upon those results. Students will work at their own pace and will be challenged to prepare differently for each upcoming trial ACT Test. There will be a course fee of $75. Seating is limited.
Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Status
