Creative Writing

Creative Writing is a one-semester elective course where students will explore the craft of creative writing, including poetry, short story, memoir and drama.  Students will cultivate observation, interpretation and expression skills, as well as developing their knowledge and ability to use common literary devices. The students will read literary works critically in order to aid them in their own writing process. Students will learn to use their imagination, senses, memories, the textbook readings and the world around them in order to become inspired.  The focus will be on helping the students develop a unique and personal voice within their writing. 

English 1A

This accelerated course challenges students in grade 9 with strong skills and interest in advanced reading and writing.  Its rigor demands greater depth and intensity in terms of reading comprehension and writing abilities and homework load. The prerequisite for placement in English 1A is based on the reading comprehension score on the HSPT.

Speech

This one-semester required course for freshmen is designed to instill self-confidence through oral presentations. Students acquire knowledge about speech communication processes and develop effective communication skills through active participation in those processes. Because speech is primarily a skill-development course with emphasis on delivery, voice, and diction, students devote much of the class time to performance activities. Students learn the techniques of academic researching, organization, and delivery of a variety of speeches, some utilizing multimedia.