Throughout this course, students engage in literary analysis and close reading of short stories, poetry, drama, novels, and informational texts. The course focuses on interpretation of literary works, analysis of informational texts, and the development of oral and written communication skills in standard (formal) English. Students read "between the lines" to interpret literature and go beyond the text to discover how the culture in which a work of literature was created contributes to the theme and ideas it conveys. Analysis of the structure and elements of informational texts and media helps students develop the skills needed for academic success and navigating the world. Students continue to acquire knowledge and skills in grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. Implementing reading strategies, self-monitoring progress and reflecting on successes and challenges help students become metacognitive learners. The course includes discussion activities that engage students in the curriculum while creating a sense of community.

This course takes students from the arrival of the first people in North America through the Civil War and Reconstruction.  Students investigate Native American civilizations; follow the path of European exploration and colonization; assess the causes and consequences of the American Revolution; examine the Constitution and the growth of the new nation; and analyze what led to the Civil War and its aftermath.

This 8th Grade history course takes students from the westward movement of the late 1800s to the present, covering topics in geography, civics, and economics, and exploring critical episodes in the story of America.