SKILL LEVEL DESIGNATIONS FOR ENGLISH COURSE OFFERINGS
The following coding system indicates reading proficiency or level of difficulty as assigned to English course curriculum.
♦ below grade level reading skills (novice level on assessments)
♦♦ at grade level reading skills (nearing proficient or proficient levels on assessments)
♦♦♦ above average or college-capable reading skills (advanced level on assessments)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGLISH
A minimum of eight semesters of English is required to graduate. Of those eight semesters, two semesters of literature study and one semester of composition are required. Students are recommended to register for at least one course in English each semester.
Specific course requirements for graduation are as follows:
a. English 9
b. English 10 Honors OR English 10 Speech AND English 10 Language
c. AP Language and Composition (English 11) OR Composition AND a Literature elective
d. AP Language and Literature (English 12) OR one Literature elective AND one English elective
Students who fail English 9 will need to take any Literature course to make up the credit (0.5 credits per semester course). Students who fail English 10 Speech and/or English 10 Language, or Composition (or their equivalent replacements) must repeat the failed course. Students who fail Literature or English electives may either repeat the course or enroll in another respective English course to make up the credit deficiency.
Placement in English courses will be based on the recommendation of English instructors and school counselors, with consideration of student’s grades, assessment data and career goals. An English teacher’s signature is required to register for English courses.
FINE ARTS DISTINCTION
The Fine Arts distinction acknowledges graduating seniors that complete a plan emphasizing a fine arts focus in one of the three Fine Art pathways: Music, Theatre or Visual Art. To be eligible for this distinction, the student must complete all requirements in one of the three pathways. Students earning this distinction are eligible to wear a royal blue distinction cord at graduation.
THEATRE PATHWAY
Theatre criteria for distinction: ► 4 credits of any combination of the following courses: Intro to Acting, Acting and Stage Production, Acting and Film Production, Advanced Acting Ensemble, Theatre Arts, Advanced Theatre Arts, Theatre as Literature, or Shakespeare ► Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in Theatre courses ► 2 Activity Letters in Theatre
