Grade 7 | Credits: 10

English 7 provides a comprehensive, in-depth range of balanced literacy experiences in reading and writing. Students write narrative, argument, and informational pieces across the year. Students work in book clubs and through independent reading to build their literary and informational reading skills, while also strengthening their ability to complete research and report on a topic. The course provides students with two opportunities to engage in book clubs with their peers around genre specific books, along with daily opportunities for collaboration and discussion with peers around curricular content.

Grade 7 | Credits: 10 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course

English 7 Honors provides instruction and activities at a faster pace and with increased depths. In this course, organized by units of study related to literary genres and styles of writing, students engage in an in-depth range of balanced literacy experiences in reading and writing. Students write narrative, argument, and informational pieces across the year. Students work in book clubs and through independent reading to build their literary and informational reading skills, while also strenghtening their ability to complete research and report on a topic. The course provides students with two opportunities to engage in book clubs with their peers around genre specific books, along with daily opportunities for collaboration and discussion with peers around curricular content.

Grade 8 | Credits: 5

English 8 provides a comprehensive, in-depth range of language experiences for students in literature and in writing. Students read short and full-length works categorized by literary genre and relate to their own lives and/or other literature that they have read. Writing assignments are based on class reading, instruction and discussion. Students participate in small and large group discussion. They receive significant instruction in reading, writing, research and vocabulary skills. Over the course of the year, students will be expected to complete short mini-research simulations and read independently both in class and at home. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Grade 8 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course

English 8 Honors provides instruction and activities at a faster pace and with increased depth. In this course, organized by literary genre, students explore short and full-length works. Students develop skills in literary analysis, especially in recognizing the characteristics of each genre and the effects of those characteristics on the works studied.  Reflecting a variety of writing modes, writing assignments are based on the readings and on students' experiences. Students participate in small and large group discussion. They receive significant instruction in reading, writing, research, and vocabulary skills. Honors students should be self-motivated and driven to set and meet their own deadlines. Over the course of the year, students will be expected to complete several short mini-research simulations and read independently both in class and at home. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Grade 9 | Credits: 5

English 9 provides broad experiences for students in writing and in literature. Students read a wide range of short and full-length works, representing a variety of literary genres. They apply their understandings of their reading to personal experiences.  Writing assignments are based on class reading, instruction, and discussion.  Students participate in small and large group discussion.  They receive significant instruction in reading, writing, research, and vocabulary skills. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Research tasks and independent reading are course requirements.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 9 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course

English 9 Honors follows the English 8 Honors program, providing instruction at a faster pace and with increased depth. Organized by literary genre, the course explores short and full-length works of literary merit. Students develop skills in literary analysis, especially in recognizing the characteristics of each genre and the effect of those characteristics on the meaning of specific works. Writing assignments are based on the literature and reflect a variety of modes and audience requirements. Students participate in small and large group discussion. They receive significant instruction in reading, writing, research, and vocabulary skills. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Research tasks and independent reading are course requirements.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grades 8-9 | Credits: 2.5

This semester English elective course is designed for students who wish to develop their creative writing abilities through independent practice and frequent individual conferences with the instructor. This course trains students to express themselves through original poems, short stories, and essays, based upon their own experiences and sensory impressions.  Students read and discuss literary models, as well as read and discuss one another's work. Students also have opportunities to publish their work both within and outside of the school context. Ideal candidates for this course are motivated, self- directed learners who are able to complete and submit tasks independently.

Grade 9 | Credits: 2.5

Heroes, Villains, and Mythology is a semester English elective course for all students interested in exploring the social, artistic and philosophical implications of world mythology.   Students will learn about the foundations of Greek and Roman myth and the ways in which these myths inform works such as Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid.  Ultimately, students will examine myths from a variety of cultures in order to better understand the relevance of mythology to art as well as contemporary issues concerning justice, identity, the family and war.   Students will complete reading and writing assignments on a daily basis as well as engage in spirited class discussions. All ninth graders are eligible to enroll in this elective.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 10 | Credits: 5

English 10 explores significant works of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, from a thematic perspective. In addition to reading both short and full-length works, students engage in analytic discussion regarding themes and characters within the works and apply their understanding to personal experience, as well as make connections across texts. Frequent analytical, narrative, and synthesis style writing assignments are an important part of this course. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 10 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course

English 10 Honors explores significant works of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, from a thematic perspective. In addition to reading challenging short and full-length works, students engage in detailed discussion regarding the philosophical ideas, themes, and characters within the texts, as well as make connections across texts. They also write interpretive and persuasive pieces based upon the literature and spend a significant amount of time on developing analytical, narrative and synthesis style writing. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 11 | Credits: 5

English 11 explores significant works of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, from a thematic perspective. In addition to reading both short and full-length works, students engage in analytic discussion regarding themes and characters within the works and apply their understanding to personal experience, as well as make connections across texts. Frequent analytical, narrative, and synthesis style writing assignments are an important part of this course. This course will prepare students for the state mandated exam, which measures performance relative to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Students will also have the opportunity to take the Accuplacer, an online assessment given to college students.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 11 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course

English 11 Honors explores significant works of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, from a thematic perspective. In addition to reading challenging short and full-length works, students participate in and lead detailed discussion regarding the philosophical ideas, themes, and characters within the texts, as well as make connections across texts. They also write interpretive and persuasive pieces based upon the literature and spend a significant amount of time on developing analytical, narrative, and synthesis style writing. Students prepare for the state mandated exam, which measures performance in relation to the Common Core standards.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 12 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course | Dual-Credit Option

College Writing Honors is a senior year writing intensive course designed to immerse high school students into the expectations and rigor of college writing. During the first semester, students will read, comprehend, analyze, and evaluate multiple nonfiction texts used in Expository Writing 101 at Rutgers University.  Through the process of writing multiple drafts of expository essays, students will develop independent theses that connect and respond to the ideas and information in the texts they read. During the second semester, students will extend their understanding of the college writing process by reading and making connections across thematically linked fiction and nonfiction multimodal texts. Students will continue to learn and develop the skills of clear, correct, effective English by reading essays, longer works of non-fiction prose, and literary criticism. Students will complete a variety of writing projects requiring techniques such as cause and effect, analysis, evaluation, synthesis, argumentation, and persuasion. The course content aligns with Rutgers University’s Expository Writing 101 and Middlesex County College’s Composition I and II. Please note the College Writing Honors course is currently under review at Rutgers. There is a possibility students may have to choose between Middlesex County College credits and Rutgers University credits. Students and parents will be notified of the decision when the review process at Rutgers is finalized.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 12 | Credits: 5 | Dual-Credit Option

English 12 is designed for seniors who wish to pursue a college education or training for other careers. This course emphasizes the skills needed for successful college reading and writing through a series of non-fiction readings and process papers. Students will close read thematic-based college level texts to write a variety of essays: summary and response, critique, analytical, and synthesis. In addition, students enrolled in English 12 will examine literary fiction and have the opportunity to take the Accuplacer, an online assessment given to college students. The course content aligns with Middlesex County College’s ENG-121. In order for EBHS students to be eligible for dual enrollment with MCC to receive 3 college credits for ENG 121 (English Composition I), they must demonstrate competency on a college placement assessment, such as the Accuplacer Writeplacer, NJSLA, SAT, or ACT.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 12 | Credits: 5

The results of standardized testing, Middlesex County College’s English placement criteria, and/or teacher recommendation, serve as the criteria for enrollment in this course. Students will have the same English teacher for both English 12 and English 12 support and will remain in the class for a double period. Emphasis will be placed on helping students overcome any deficiencies or difficulties they may have in meeting the state graduation requirements for English and the learning outcomes for college level English. A review of reading and writing basics using special materials designed to help students improve, specifically material that reinforces the English 12 curriculum, is the focus of the course.

Grade 11 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course 

AP English I (Language and Composition) is a demanding college level course offered to juniors in which students employ an intensive, interpretative, and critical approach to modern and classical literature. Students develop their unique perspectives and writing voices through small and large group discussion, and through a variety of writing tasks. Writing assignments include the analysis of text, structure, and style; reflect all of the rhetorical modes, and incorporate writing for everyday situations. Students are prepared for and encouraged to take the AP Language and Composition Examination in May. There is also a required summer project for this course.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grade 12 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisites will determine placement into course

AP English II (Literature and Composition) is a demanding academic course in which students employ an intensive, interpretive, and critical approach to modern and to classical literature through class and independent reading, through small and large group discussion, and a variety of writing experiences.  Writing assignments include the analysis of text, structure, and style and incorporate writing for formal and informal occasions.  Students are prepared for and encouraged to take the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Examination. There is also a required summer project for this course.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grades 11 | Credits: 5 |Prerequisites will determine placement into course

AP Seminar is a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary course where students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. AP Seminar students develop and use inquiry skills to question and explore, understand and analyze, evaluate multiple perspectives, synthesize ideas, and create arguments. Students are assessed with two performance tasks throughout the year and an end of course exam. Students taking AP Seminar should be motivated and independent as well as willing to expand their understanding through research, share and defend thoughts and ideas, strengthen modes of communication, and accept fair criticism and use feedback to develop their writing. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research. This course is required for the AP Capstone Certificate and/or AP Capstone Diploma. Please refer to the Course Levels page for specific requirements about the AP Capstone program.

Grades 11-12 | Credits: 2.5

Developing Student Leaders provides the opportunity for students to realize and investigate their own leadership potential. The course will outline the theoretical foundations of leadership through a thorough review of leadership theories and then provide students with the opportunity to understand what it takes to influence and empower others.  Throughout the course, students will identify and develop patterns of leadership in chosen areas of school and community outreach.  Students will pursue opportunities for growth and assess their own leadership style through project-based learning.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5

This semester English elective course is designed for students who wish to develop their creative writing abilities through independent practice and frequent individual conferences with the instructor. This course trains students to express themselves through original poems, short stories, and essays, based upon their own experiences and sensory impressions.  Students read and discuss literary models, as well as read and discuss one another's work. Students also have opportunities to publish their work both within and outside of the school context. Ideal candidates for this course are motivated, self- directed learners who are able to complete and submit tasks independently.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5

In this innovative, workshop-based elective course, students will collaborate with peers and teachers to find, write, photograph, design and publish stories for the Yearbook and EBHS Bear Hub.  The course will have two teachers; one who focuses on photography & graphic design, and one who focuses on journalistic writing.  Students should be self-motivated, self-directed, high integrity multi-taskers ready to contribute to this energetic, tech-oriented newsroom.

Grades 11-12 | Credits: 5 | Course prerequisite: Publisher's Workshop

In Part II of Publisher’s Workshop, students will continue to collaborate with peers and teachers to find, write, photograph, design & publish stories for the Yearbook & EBHS Bear Hub, with a special emphasis on developing workplace leadership skills.  Students will explore higher level concepts involved in publishing including topics like media/photojournalism law, news literacy, story package planning, and how to grow readership. Students will be required to take on a leadership role and delegate journalistic and publishing assignments while also completing editorial review of peer contributions.  Students will continue to hone their chosen specialties within the course and seek to discover their personal writing, photography, and/or graphic design style by presenting a culminating thesis presentation showcasing the growth and development of their chosen specialty. This course will run concurrently with Publisher's Workshop.

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5 | Dual-Credit Option

This English elective course is designed to help students become more confident speakers and better speech writers. Students will learn to research, organize, write, and present various types of speeches: informative, persuasive, and demonstrative. They will also read, analyze, and deliver memorable speeches from literature and history. At the end of the course, students will understand how to effectively write speeches and how to deliver them using rhetorical techniques.

Meets NCAA Core Course Requirements

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5

This English elective course is designed for students who have a love of literature and drama, and are fascinated by the works of Shakespeare. The class offers students of different levels an opportunity to read and to discuss Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and romances. No tragedies! The coursework focuses less on literary analysis, and more on the entertainment value of the plays: the ways the plays have been portrayed in film, the history of Shakespearean theater, and student performances. The course requires students to read critically and creatively, write reactions to the texts, and think deeply. Open discussions and active participation are encouraged.

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5 

Philosophy for Teenagers Honors is a semester Honors English elective course designed for diligent students interested in reading, writing and thinking about big questions. Students will explore complex topics through units such as Epistemology, Ethics, Free Will and Determinism, and The Meaning of Life. Through readings and class discussions, students will experiment with the basic methods of philosophical inquiry and, ultimately, use these inquiries as a lens through which they examine their own values and assumptions. Students will read selections from the great thinkers as well as selections from other classic and contemporary sources. Students enrolled in this course will be required to complete reading and writing assignments and engage in spirited class discussions on a daily basis.

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5

This English elective course will channel the passion that many high school students have for sports and use it to develop them into strong readers (of mainly non-fiction texts) and strong writers (of mainly analytic essays). The broad and complex role of sports in contemporary America provides a common intellectual ground for students of different grades, interests and ability levels. Likewise, they will become better readers through exposure to challenging texts of various lengths and better writers through constant exposure to several of the rhetorical modes (such as narration, definition, comparison and process analysis).

Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5

This semester elective course is designed to help students better prepare for both the verbal and math portions of the SAT exam. Students will utilize a combination of in-person and electronic approaches, to experience the format, requirements, and scoring of the exam. They will also learn various test-taking strategies for success on the SAT. The verbal portion of the course will focus on evidence-based reading and writing tasks, as well as the optional essay component. The math portion of this course is designed to teach students how to approach each type of problem. The semester will be divided in half where students will focus on either verbal or math for the first quarter and then switch to the other content for the second quarter. Ideal candidates for this course are motivated, self- directed learners who can independently complete and submit tasks.