Holy Cross High School - Course Descriptions - English Department Offerings

Sep 15, 2026

Course Descriptions for Holy Cross High School English Department offerings outline tiered freshman through senior study paths, including Honors, Advanced Placement, and college-preparatory writing and literature courses. The curriculum emphasizes grammar and punctuation, analytical thinking, and structured writing across genres such as argumentative, narrative, expository, and research-based essays. Students also engage in dramatic literature analysis and live performance viewing, plus thematic literary study such as scapegoating and extensive novel reading. Paired courses reinforce progression toward college composition and MLA-guided theses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

English Department Offerings

Freshman English

A.P. English

Expository Writing

Drama

Composition

Scapegoat in Literature

Advanced Composition

Novel

Creative Writing

World Literature

Holy Cross High School Course Descriptions English Department Offerings Freshman English Grades: 9 Credits: 1 Prerequisite: Sections are grouped by ability, from honors to remedial Freshman English lays the groundwork for the next three years of English. It covers basic grammar and punctuation, introduces the student to a variety of literature, and develops writing abilities with a wide range of assignments. Students learn to think analytically and express their thoughts in writing and in class discussion. | A.P. English Grades: 11-12 Credits: 1 each year
This intensive two-year course of study is for the top 10-12% of the junior and senior classes. Its overall goal is to enable students to demonstrate their achievement in college-level work on the national Advanced Placement English Exam, on which they can earn college credit and/or college standing. The course moves more quickly and covers more challenging material than the honors classes do. It covers all of the literary genres and explores the social/historical context for works of literature. Written responses to the readings and active participation in class discussion are equally important. Summer reading and writing are also required. | | --- | | Expository Writing Grades: 10 Credits: ½
Prerequisites: English I and English Department Placement
This honors writing class develops students’ proficiency in various essay forms—comparison/contrast, process analysis, argument, etc. Students learn various styles, formats, and purposes of writing, composing their own pieces in various styles. They also work on their revising and editing skills. Students write an extended research paper according to MLA standards. This class, together with Composition and Advanced Composition, is designed to prepare students for the most advanced college writing assignments. This course is paired with Drama. | | Drama Grades: 10 Credits: ½
Prerequisite: English I and English Department Placement
Drama is an honors class which involves an intense study of dramatic literature. Students read and analyze various forms of drama from different time periods and by many different playwrights. Students also view three live dramas and learn the techniques to bring these dramas to the stage. The class also studies the history of drama and the social contexts of the plays. This course is paired with Expository Writing. | | Composition Grades: 11 Credits: ½
Prerequisites: English I and English Department Placement
This honors writing course focuses mainly on argumentative and narrative writing. Together with Expository Writing and Advanced Composition, this course prepares students for the assignments in college composition classes. Students also read, analyze, and discuss, as well as write about, a large amount of professional writing. Attention is given to grammar, punctuation, and spelling as needed, although students should have largely mastered the mechanics of correct writing before taking this class. Workshop sessions allow students to read, evaluate, and make recommendations for each other’s writing. This course is paired with Scapegoat in Literature. | | --- | | Scapegoat in Literature Grades: 11 Credits: ½
The focus of this junior honors course is on the theme of the scapegoat in mythology, history, modern life, and especially in a wide variety of literature. After studying the basic concepts of scapegoating, students read a large number of stories, novels, and plays that embody the scapegoat theme. The class does a great deal of traditional literary analysis, focusing on point of view, character, conflict, theme, and symbolism Some short writing assignments may be required, but these are limited since this course is paired with Composition. | | Advanced Composition Grades: 12 Credits: ½
Prerequisites: English I and English Department Placement
This honors writing course, along with Expository Writing and Composition, prepares students for the demands of

FAQs

What does Freshman English cover at Holy Cross High School?

It lays the groundwork for the next three years by focusing on basic grammar and punctuation, introducing literature, and building writing skills through varied assignments. Students also practice analytical thinking through writing and class discussion.

What is the purpose of A.P. English for grades 11–12?

A.P. English is an intensive two-year course for the top portion of junior and senior students, aiming to prepare them for college-level achievement on the national Advanced Placement English Exam. It moves faster than honors, includes more challenging material, requires summer reading and writing, and emphasizes both written responses and active discussion.

How do Expository Writing and Advanced Composition support college-level writing?

Expository Writing develops proficiency in multiple essay forms, revision and editing skills, and includes an extended research paper using MLA standards. Advanced Composition continues the preparation by training students to develop and organize essays across structural forms and culminates in a “Senior Thesis” following MLA guidelines.

Sep 15, 2026

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