HS English Dept. All high school English courses may be taken for honors credit. Honors placement is determined by teacher recommendation and considers a student’s GPA, work ethic, reading comprehension, writing ability, and classroom engagement. Honors courses move at a faster pace and explore texts and concepts in greater depth. Students in the honors track will also complete additional assignments and readings designed to strengthen critical thinking and analytical skills. English 9 Required Instructor: Mrs. Jessica Ortbals 9th Grade, Full Year This course focuses on learning to critically and analytically read fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will also delve into four areas of composition: narrative, literary analysis, research, and persuasion. The course also addresses elements of vocabulary, language and grammar, analysis of texts, and the use of sources for documentation purposes. World Literature Required Instructor: Mrs. Jessica Ortbals 10th Grade, Full Year World Literature is an invitation for students to engage in the great conversation that is Western world literature. Throughout the course of the year, students are introduced to novels, poetry, and drama that represent the best of the Western canon. Additionally, grammar is studied to enhance understanding of the structure of effective composition, while vocabulary development is fostered by a systematic study of Latin and Greek word roots—the semantic units from which the vast majority of English words are derived. American Literature Required Instructor: Mrs. Amy Koci 11th Grade, Full Year American Literature is a study of American literature. Throughout the course of the year, students study representative works that illustrate the various literary movements of each period of American history. Grammar is reviewed within the context of student writing, while vocabulary development is fostered by a systematic study of Latin and Greek word roots—the semantic units from which the vast majority of English words are derived. Composition I & II Required Instructor: Mrs. Marsha Parr 12th Grade, Full Year Composition I and II focus on writing nonfiction prose suitable for selected audiences and give students an opportunity to expand and improve on the different stages involved in the writing process: brainstorming for ideas, gathering information, organizing and developing paragraphs, revising and editing. Assignments will emphasize writing effective thesis statements, introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions with sufficient details that are clear and convincing. The course also addresses elements of language and grammar, various types of writing, both formal and informal, limited analysis of texts, both prose and poetry, and the use of sources for documentation purposes. Students enrolled in this course may dually enroll and receive college credit through MidAmerica Nazarene University.
HCA Upper School Academic Catalog | 2025-26
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