Students are required to have four English credits to graduate. Students typically follow a vertical progression, however, students may have the opportunity to move into other levels with teacher recommendation.

English Department Course Sequence

• Grade 9 (choose 1)
  • English 9
  • English 9 College Prep
  • English 9 Honors
• Grade 10 (choose 1)
  • English 10
  • English 10 College Prep
  • English 10 Honors
• Grade 11/12 (choose 2)
  • Literary Analysis: Definition of Success
  • Literary Analysis: Sports Literature
  • Literary Analysis: Science Fiction and Dystopian Literature
  • Literary Analysis: British Literature College Prep
  • Literary Analysis: Eco-Literature College Prep
  • Literary Analysis: Sports Literature College Prep
  • Literary Analysis: Science Fiction and Dystopian Literature College Prep
  • Literary Analysis: Mystery, Suspense, and Horror College Prep
  • Literary Analysis: Modern American Voices of Resilience College Prep
  • Literary Analysis: World Literature Honors
  • Literary Analysis: Modern American Voices of Resilience Honors
  • Literary Analysis: Science Fiction and Dystopian Literature Honors
  • AP Language & Composition
  • AP Literature & Composition

Additional information regarding Advanced Placement Classes can be found at the College Board. Dual enrollment is also an option for 12th grade English. Students who took AP Language may take a literature-based course for dual enrollment. Students who took any of the literary analysis courses or AP Literature must take a composition course.

The list below shows English Department Electives that are available to students. Electives do not fulfill the English credits for graduation but do fulfill the arts/humanities requirements. Please download the English Department brochure to find which grades these electives are available to students. For detailed descriptions of each course, see the course selection guide.

• Speech and Communication
• Journalism I
• Journalism II
• Introduction to Theater
• Teacher Techniques
• Advanced Theater Techniques
• Creative Writing I
• Creative Writing II
• History of American Film
• College in the High School: Introduction to Film
• Communication Tech I
• Communication Tech II
• Communication Tech III
• Communication Tech IV
• Communication Tech V
• Communication Tech VI
• Communication Tech: Independent Study

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires one standardized assessment related to the high school English Department. 

At the end of the 10^th Grade English course of any level, students take the Keystone Literature exam. Curriculum in grades 9 and 10 is aligned to eligible content for these exams and to the Pennsylvania Common Core State Standards.

Students who do not score proficient or advanced on the first administration of the exam, will re-take the assessment near the end of their 11^th Grade English course. More information on demonstrating proficiency as a PA graduation requirement can be found here.