English I

This course offers an introduction to various types of literature including the short story, poetry, drama and the novel.  Major readings include, but are not limited to, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.  This course also includes a review of basic English grammar, mechanics, sentence structure, punctuation and vocabulary.  Students may be required to write narrative, expository, descriptive and creative essays.  Writing assignments will prepare students for their final research paper using the MLA format.

Grade 9  

1 Credit

English II: American Literature

This course will include a comprehensive study of literature and composition with an emphasis on writing skills and SAT vocabulary.  The literature used in the course is taken from the Pre-Colonial period through Modern Non-Fiction. Students will study such authors as Bradstreet, Irving, Cooper, Poe, Hawthorne, Steinbeck, Hemingway and Bradbury.  Students will focus on composition through several essays culminating in a research paper using MLA format.  Students will also read Miller’s The Crucible, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Evaluations will be completed through oral and written reports, compositions and both objective and essay tests.

Grade 10

1 Credit 

English II:  Honors American Literature

This course will include an intensive study of literature and composition with an emphasis on writing skills and SAT vocabulary.  The literature used in the course is taken from the Pre-Colonial period through Modern Non-Fiction. Students will study such authors as Bradstreet, Irving, Cooper, Poe, Hawthorne, Steinbeck, Hemingway and Bradbury.  .  Students will also read Miller’s The Crucible, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.

Students complete numerous projects and journals throughout the year and students will focus on composition through several essays culminating in a research paper using MLA format.  Evaluations will be completed through oral and written reports, compositions and both objective and essay tests.

Honors American Literature is a precursor for Honors British Literature III.

Grade 10

1 Credit

English III: English Literature

This course is a comprehensive study of British Literature with an emphasis on written analysis of selected works of prose and poetry.  The literature studied will range from the Anglo-Saxon Period through the present day.  Readings may include the works of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Shelley, Joyce, Orwell, Coleridge, Blake, Tennyson and Eliot.

In addition, students will write an in-depth research paper using the MLA format as well as numerous essays and projects.  Students are instructed in the college application and essay process.  Evaluations will be completed through oral and written reports, compositions and both objective and essay tests.

Grade 11

1 Credit

English III: Honors English Literature

This course is an intensive study of British Literature with an emphasis on written analysis of selected works of prose and poetry.  The literature studied will range from the Anglo-Saxon Period through the present day.  Readings may include the works of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Shelley, Joyce, Orwell, Coleridge, Blake, Tennyson and Eliot.

Students will partake in extensive reading, writing and analysis of literature as well as reading Shakespearean plays and English novels.  In addition, students will write an in-depth research paper using the MLA format as well as numerous essays and projects.  Students are instructed on the college application and essay process.  Evaluations will be completed through oral and written reports, compositions and both objective and essay tests.

Only those select sophomores who demonstrate excellent ability in the subject area of English and have the desire to work and learn will be permitted to participate in the Honors British Literature course.  Honors British Literature is a precursor for Honors World Literature IV and College In High School World Literature IV. Honors English Literature III is a weighted course.

Grade 11

 1 Credit

English IV: World Literature

This course includes a comprehensive study of literature and composition.  The literature studied ranges from Sumerian, Egyptian and Hebrew Literature through the Literature of the Contemporary world.  Authors studied may include Sophocles, Conrad, Achebe, Kafka, Homer, Machiavelli, Dante, Shakespeare, Wiesel, etc.

Students will write an in-depth research paper using the MLA format as well as other essays analyzing literature.  Evaluation of this course will be completed through oral and written reports, essay exams and book reports.

Grade 12

1 Credit

English IV:  Honors World Literature

This course includes an intensive study of literature and composition.  The literature studied ranges from Sumerian, Egyptian and Hebrew Literature through the Literature of the Contemporary world.  Authors studied may include Sophocles, Conrad, Achebe, Kafka, Homer, Machiavelli, Dante, Shakespeare, Wiesel, etc.

Students will partake in extensive reading, writing and analysis of literature as well as reading Shakespearean plays and novels.  In addition, students will write an in-depth research paper using the MLA format as well as many essays analyzing literature.  Evaluation of this course will be completed through oral and written reports, essay exams, independent study and book reports. Honors British Literature III is a precursor for this course.  Honors World Literature is a weighted course.

Grade 12

1 Credit

English IV: World Literature

College in High School

This course includes an extensive and intensive study of literature and composition.  The literature studied ranges from Sumerian, Egyptian and Hebrew Literature through the Literature of the Contemporary world.  Authors studied may include Sophocles, Conrad, Achebe, Kafka, Homer, Machiavelli, Dante, Shakespeare, Wiesel, etc.

Students will partake in extensive reading, writing and analysis of literature as well as reading Shakespearean plays and novels.  In addition, students will write an in-depth research paper using the MLA format as well as many essays analyzing literature.  Students taking CIHS World Literature are required to enroll in the La Roche College SCHOLAR Program.  This program provides students the opportunity to earn as many as three college credits in English while still in high school. 

Evaluation of this course will be completed through oral and written reports, essay exams, independent study and book reports. Honors British Literature III is a precursor for this course.  College in High School World Literature is a weighted course.

Grade 12

1 Credit

Community College of Allegheny College Dual Enrollment Program

Students who have completed their sophomore year at Mount Alvernia High School, and who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher may register for the dual enrollment program through CCAC. This program allows students to begin taking college level courses at the CCAC campus beginning July 1, after their sophomore year.  Courses include Intro to Psychology, English Composition, Intro to Philosophy, Biology, Math, etc. Tuition for these classes is a fraction of the usual cost for CCAC students. Students have the opportunity to gain more than twenty college credits before leaving high school. CCAC also offers a scholarship to the top ten percent of the class, making those who qualify eligible for FREE Tuition.

Please note:  Mount Alvernia High School does not participate in the early release program.  Both programs listed above are the students’ responsibility. Transportation and costs are not provided by the school.

“Read not to contradict and confine, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.”

Francis Bacon, Essays, “Of Studies”

Writing Lab

Writing Lab views writing as a multi-step process beginning with prewriting and advancing through to the final draft by employing appropriate discovery and planning strategies to generate ideas.

Acknowledging that  improving writing skills involves revising written work, students have the opportunity to write themselves to an “A” by rewriting their assignments and eliminating any common writing errors.  The course is designed to help all students become better writers regardless of their present skill levels.

A variety of writing styles are explored through several assignments.  Students will also be given an opportunity to work on writing assigned  by teachers across nearly all school subjects. 

Writing Lab does require basic computer knowledge as all assignments are completed via word processing software available in computer labs. The course meets three times in a six-day cycle.

Grade 9

1/2 Credit