English/Language Arts Course Descriptions

The English Department at the Scholars Academy is focused on preparing our students to be effective communicators, offering an advanced curriculum for all its students. During their years here, students have a multitude of opportunities to read great writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and prose; to exchange ideas with other insightful learners through engaging discussions and presentations, and to share their ideas in a variety of forms. Our goals are for them to become efficient researchers, analytical readers, effective writers, and engaging speakers, as well as to be fully prepared to enter the next phase of their education. The students in this specialized secondary setting take a combination of high school and college courses at an accelerated pace.

English 2 Honors

EOC Course - This course has a state-mandated end-of-course test.

English 2 Honors is a yearlong survey of British, American, and world literature that focuses on critical reading, writing, research, speaking, and listening skills, as well as advanced vocabulary, grammar review, media literacy, and analytical writing practice. Satisfactory completion of research projects is required.

AP English Language and Composition

This year-long advanced English course and seminar provides students with opportunities to read and write for a variety of purposes with a particular emphasis on the expository, analytical, and persuasive nonfiction writing used in academic and professional settings. Students will work with a wide range of rhetorical modes, analyze authors’ audience, purpose, and style, and practice research and documentation skills, including MLA guidelines. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Exam in May.

AP English Literature and Composition

This year-long advanced English course and seminar is structured around world literature. Instruction is designed to strengthen critical reading skills, support writing as a way to communicate individual interpretations of varied literature, identify historical implications and advance insightful concepts and theories. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Exam given in May.

Humanities

Humanities (Advanced Composition Honors) is an elective English course offered to tenth and eleventh graders who opt to delay taking one of the required Advanced Placement English courses until the next year.  While Humanities does not count as one of the four English courses required for high school graduation,  it allows its students to fulfill the Scholars Academy requirement that all students take English every year.  This course is taken yearlong, earns one credit, and meets on alternating days. The course stresses critical reading, writing, research, speaking, and listening skills.