Foundational English

This course is for students who require extra help with English as a Foreign / Second Language. 

English 1

Course Purpose

The purpose of the English 1 course is to develop students' proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening through an in-depth exploration of literature and informational texts. This course is designed to enhance critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills, enabling students to interpret complex texts, construct well-supported arguments, and effectively convey ideas in both written and oral forms. By engaging with diverse texts and employing digital tools, students will be prepared for academic challenges and real-world communication.

Course Description

In this English 1 course, students will explore a variety of literary and informational texts, developing their ability to analyze themes, characters, and structures while gaining insight into different perspectives and contexts. The curriculum is structured around key Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that emphasize close reading, textual evidence, and analytical skills. Students will engage in multiple writing exercises—including argumentative, narrative, and expository writing—that foster clarity, organization, and creativity.

Through collaborative discussions and multimedia presentations, students will refine their speaking and listening skills, learning to articulate ideas concisely and respond thoughtfully to others. Language development is integral to the course, with a focus on vocabulary acquisition, grammar, and usage that enhances both academic and practical communication. As they progress, students will conduct research projects, synthesize information from credible sources, and produce and publish work using technology, preparing them for future academic and professional success.

English 4 - Journalism

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding necessary to produce high-quality, publishable journalism for real-world audiences. Students will learn to detect bias, verify facts, write clearly in AP style, report with independence, uphold professional standards, and create multimedia news packages. Through a combination of rigorous news literacy training, hands-on reporting, ethical decision-making, and multimedia production, the course develops both technical proficiency and a commitment to truth, transparency, and fairness in journalism.

Course Description

This comprehensive, project-based journalism course transforms the classroom into a working student newsroom. Over the span of the program, students engage in authentic reporting assignments that blend traditional and emerging media skills.

They will:

  • Build foundational news literacy using platforms such as PBS Student Reporting Labs, Checkology, and Poynter’s MediaWise, with an emphasis on bias detection, verification, and responsible source evaluation.
  • Master reporting fundamentals including newsworthiness, interviewing, fact-vs.-opinion analysis, and source diversity.
  • Develop strong writing abilities in AP style, crafting leads, nut grafs, and balanced stories while practicing bias mitigation techniques.
  • Produce multimedia packages—planning, scripting, filming, and editing SRL-style segments—aligned with broadcast journalism best practices.
  • Explore solutions journalism to frame evidence-based stories that address community challenges.
  • Understand and apply student press law, ethics, and rights, creating editorial policies that safeguard independence and credibility.
  • Gain AI literacy for the newsroom, learning to detect, disclose, and responsibly integrate AI tools according to AP and Reuters standards.
  • Complete a capstone project showcasing investigative or solutions-based reporting, prepared for publication or award submission.

By the end of the course, students will graduate as skilled, ethical storytellers capable of producing professional-quality journalism that informs, engages, and impacts their audiences.