Students in this introductory, college-level course read and carefully analyze a broad and challenging range of fiction and nonfiction prose selections, deepening their awareness of rhetoric and how language works. Through close reading and frequent writing, students develop their ability to work with language and text with a greater awareness of purpose and strategy, while strengthening their own composing abilities. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. Course readings feature expository, analytical, personal, and argumentative texts from a variety of authors and historical contexts. Summer reading and writing is required. Students prepare for the AP Exam in English Language & Composition and may be granted college credit as a result of satisfactory performance. Junior AP English Language & Composition meets the requirement for graduation.

AP Research is the second class needed to complete the AP Capstone Diploma program—an innovative program that provides students the opportunity to develop skills for college and career success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. In order to receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing. The AP Capstone Diploma signifies outstanding academic achievement. 

In AP Research, students design and defend a year-long research-based project on a topic of their choosing, building on the skills learned in AP Seminar. Through this inquiry process, students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. 

AP Seminar is the first class needed to complete the AP Capstone Diploma program—an innovative program that provides students the opportunity to develop skills for college and career success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. In order to receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing. The AP Capstone Diploma signifies outstanding academic achievement. 

In AP Seminar, students will engage in cross-curricular conversations to evaluate complex topics and real-world issues. AP Seminar is project-based learning in which students synthesize sources, provide written arguments, and develop presentations on topics of their choosing. 

This course is recommended for college-bound students. It will involve students in both the study and practice of writing and analysis of literature on an advanced level. Reading will include poetry, drama, fiction, and expository literature. Writing assignments will cover a wide array of topics, including the critical analysis of literary works. This class also includes preparation for the Advanced Placement Literature test in the spring should students choose to take that test. Senior AP English Language & Composition meets the requirement for graduation.

Creative writing offers students the opportunity to develop and improve their technique and individual style in poetry, short story, drama, essays, and other forms of prose. The emphasis of the course is on writing; however, students may study exemplary representations and authors to obtain a fuller appreciation of the form and craft. Although most creative writing classes cover expressive forms, others concentrate exclusively on one particular form (such as poetry or playwriting).

This course is designed for the student who is interested in discussion and argumentation. It will include analysis of current controversial issues, methods & materials of research, evidence, applied logic and reasoning, construction of debate cases, audience analysis, and the use of strategy in debate. Students will enhance oral advocacy and refutation skills, while familiarizing themselves with the theoretical background of academic debate and argument. Students taking this course can develop strategies for value-based and policy debate as well.

English I will emphasize basic language skills including spelling, grammar, and composition. Literature will include drama, short stories, poetry, and a novel. In addition to regular course work, students will be required to read library books and work in the computer writing lab.

English II will emphasize writing and grammar skills through composition. Students will be required to write an informative research paper with a follow-up speech. Literature will include a survey of short stories, a unit on drama, poetry, biography, essays, and a novel. Students will be required to read library books outside of class.

This course is a survey of American literature from the Puritans through the modern period. American short stories, poetry, essays, biographies, novels and drams are included. The focus of this course will be the development of communication skills including: reading, speaking, and writing. Students are expected to be able to express themselves in both the oral and written word. A series of speeches are required as well as a persuasive research paper which will be completed first semester.

This course introduces the student to a variety of speaking situations. The course aims at providing the student with the opportunity to gain proficiency in various types of speeches while freeing the student from some of the problems of stage fright, organization, and delivery. Students will make use of various methods of delivery, recognize the characteristics that differentiate various genres of speeches, and develop orderly speech designs that relate to certain audience dynamics. (Can be taken for dual credit with NDSCS; however the dual credit will transfer to most colleges).

This course is recommended for a highly motivated freshman student who excels in reading, writing, critical thinking and reflection skills. A student in this course will read and analyze a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as evaluate information presented in diverse media formats. Writing will encompass a variety of forms and structures including narrative techniques, research, and argumentative writing. In addition to reading and writing, students will participate in collaborative activities to enhance their understanding of the experiences and perspectives of others. This course meets graduation requirements and can help prepare students for Honors 10 English as well as Advanced Placement Junior and Senior English classes.

This course is recommended for highly motivated sophomore students who did well in English classes in their freshman year. Students will read novel, short stories, poetry, drama, and expository literature. Writing assignments will cover a wide variety of topics from analysis of literary works, to tracing thematic elements, to writing the sophomore research paper. In addition to reading and writing, students will participate in activities including class discussion and oral presentations. This class meets graduation requirements and can help prepare students for Advanced Placement Junior and Senior English classes. Teachers will consider your GPA, STAR scores, and overall work ethic. Also, you will be required to complete the Summer Reading before taking the course. Failure to do so before fall registration may result in Honors English being replaced by English II.

All students will practice the fundamentals of print and digital media. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. Students will also learn skills related to interviewing, writing and editing stories, photography, videography, designing web space and laying out newspaper pages. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the monthly print newspaper through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will also maintain the publications social media sites and frequently update information online in order to reach thousands of readers each week. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and providing an important service to West Fargo students and the metro community are encouraged to enroll.

All students will practice the fundamentals of print and digital media. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. Students will also learn skills related to interviewing, writing and editing stories, photography, videography, designing web space and laying out newspaper pages. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the monthly print newspaper through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will also maintain the publications social media sites and frequently update information online in order to reach thousands of readers each week. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and providing an important service to West Fargo students and the metro community are encouraged to enroll.

All students will practice the fundamentals of print and digital media. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. Students will also learn skills related to interviewing, writing and editing stories, photography, videography, designing web space and laying out newspaper pages. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the monthly print newspaper through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will also maintain the publications social media sites and frequently update information online in order to reach thousands of readers each week. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and providing an important service to West Fargo students and the metro community are encouraged to enroll.

All students will practice the fundamentals of print and digital media. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. Students will also learn skills related to interviewing, writing and editing stories, photography, videography, designing web space and laying out newspaper pages. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the monthly print newspaper through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will also maintain the publications social media sites and frequently update information online in order to reach thousands of readers each week. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and providing an important service to West Fargo students and the metro community are encouraged to enroll.

Students will work on career-readiness skills such as digital communication, collaboration, teamwork and critical thinking as they produce a yearbook. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. All students will participate in reporting information and designing pages throughout the year. This class also uses professional-quality photography equipment for student coverage. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the yearbook through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and creating a lasting memory for the West Fargo community are encouraged to enroll.

Students will work on career-readiness skills such as digital communication, collaboration, teamwork and critical thinking as they produce a yearbook. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. All students will participate in reporting information and designing pages throughout the year. This class also uses professional-quality photography equipment for student coverage. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the yearbook through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and creating a lasting memory for the West Fargo community are encouraged to enroll.

Students will work on career-readiness skills such as digital communication, collaboration, teamwork and critical thinking as they produce a yearbook. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. All students will participate in reporting information and designing pages throughout the year. This class also uses professional-quality photography equipment for student coverage. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the yearbook through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and creating a lasting memory for the West Fargo community are encouraged to enroll.

Students will work on career-readiness skills such as digital communication, collaboration, teamwork and critical thinking as they produce a yearbook. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. All students will participate in reporting information and designing pages throughout the year. This class also uses professional-quality photography equipment for student coverage. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. They will help produce the yearbook through the use of the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications. Students will also have work published in various metro media outlets. Responsible students with an interest in developing career readiness skills and creating a lasting memory for the West Fargo community are encouraged to enroll.

There are three modes of writing as laid out in the North Dakota State Standards: narrative, informative, and argumentative. In addition, there are also language standards dealing with revising, editing, and presentation. Reading standards will also be incorporated into this semester. The goal of this semester class is to expose students to more types of writing as well as to prepare them for the rigor expected at the college level and in the work force.

There are two modes of writing as laid out in the North Dakota State Standards: reading information and reading literature. In addition, there are also Speaking and Listening Standards. Writing standards will also be incorporated into this semester. The goal of this semester class is to expose students to issues explored through literature in order to prepare students to be global citizens as well as life-long readers.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of broadcast journalism, which will include interviewing, writing for broadcast and editing video, photography, and designing a weekly news program. Level III and IV students will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All students will have an active social media presence. Students will be using various social media tools (Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wordpress, Instagram, etc.) to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. Students will be required to spend time outside of class on various service projects and class assignments. Students also have the opportunity to live webcast and perform play-by-play during various West Fargo events. They will help produce the weekly broadcast through the use of the industry-standard video editing software and graphics and photo manipulation software Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Indesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Students will develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships and college applications.