English 9 covers basic reading, speaking, writing, and listening skills. This class will prepare students for success on the reading and writing state mandated tests.

English 10 provides extra drill in reading, speaking, writing, and listening skills. This class will prepare students for success on the reading and writing state mandated tests.

English 11 covers the fundamentals of usage, spelling, reading, and writing. Readings are by American authors.

English 12 seniors work on the fundamentals of usage, vocabulary, reading, and writing. Students will do a research paper and project.

Students will receive emphasis on language skills in writing, reading, listening, vocabulary, and speaking. Some of these skills include practicing the writing process, writing paragraphs and essays, reading short stories, novels, plays, and poetry, as well as working on grammar and usage.

This course includes a study of literary genres (short story, novel, drama, poetry) and terms, grammar and mechanics, vocabulary, public speaking, and writing.

Students will study American literature and will continue to develop writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills.

Students will read a variety of literature from classic to contemporary and will write personal, expository, and analytic papers, college essays, and research papers. Students will also work to improve grammar and vocabulary.

Students will receive emphasis on language skills in writing, reading, listening, vocabulary, and speaking. Some of these skills include the writing process, reading of short stories, novels, plays, and poetry, as well as working on grammar and usage. This course offers more in-depth study, more difficult assignments than Intro to Lit & Comp and prepares students for honors sophomore English.

This course is for the student who is academically motivated, who appreciates literature, and who has good writing skills. The course explores a chronology of major American writers, their themes and techniques. The students will study vocabulary and grammar and write papers of analysis and persuasion. this course prepares students for AP/IB English Lit and Comp.

This course prepares Students for the AP test and IB assessments by engaging them in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature through thematic study. As they raed, students will consider a work's structure, style, and themes, as well as the use of figurative language and rhetorical devices. There is a strong focus on literary analysis, comparison/contrast, and timed writing. Students will continue to work on grammar and vocabulary skills and will do the preliminary work on their research paper.

This course prepares Students for the AP test and IB assessments by helping them become critical thinkers and skills readers of prose, both fiction and non-fiction, written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. Writing assignments will include literary analysis, college essays, a research paper, and other pieces composed for a variety of purposes. Students will study rhetorical devices and strategies and will continue to work on grammar and vocabulary skills.

Theory of Knowledge is a two-year course, taken over the junior and senior years. The purpose of the Theory of Knowledge course is to engage the learner in ways of knowing while exploring areas of knowledge. By equipping the student with the tools of inquiry, discernment, analysis and insight, this course aims to lead the student to processes and activities that stimulate independent thinking. The inclusion of eight areas of knowledge (natural science, human sciences, history, the arts, ethics, mathematics, indigenous knowledge, and religious systems) as well as eight ways of knowing (emotion, reason, language, perception, intuition, imagination, faith, and memory) guides a student to a balanced understanding of his/her world. This course is taught seminar style and leads to both a formal presentation and a formal paper.

The student will study the theories, concepts, and history of comedy and satire by reading selections and critical essays. The material will include a variety of classic and contemporary works. Essays and creative papers will be required. A major student-designed semester project is also required.

Creative Writing is designed to develop writing skills in a creative but directed environment. The student will practice descriptive writing, short stories, poetry, personal essays, and character and plot development. Daily writing is required, and the students will share their work in a group experience. Entering pieces for contests or publication is encouraged.

Students will read for personal enjoyment, selecting reading materials under the teacher's guidance. They will discuss readings with the teacher and write impressions and evaluations of the materials read, using established criteria to make evaluations.

This course is for the student with little or no practice in oral communication. The course is designed to raise each student's skill and confidence level speaking before an audience and each student's critical listening skills. Students will deliver weekly speeches presenting a variety of speeches such as informative, researched, impromptu, demonstration, persuasive, and storytelling.

Recommended for juniors and seniors, this life skills class is designed to help students learn appropriate conflict management, social etiquette, and effective interpersonal communication and interviewing techniques.

This course offers an overview of journalism, its importance in maintaining democracy in the U.S., the ethics and laws involved in the field, and an exploration of what constitutes news. It also includes a section on the changing face of journalism including blogs and citizen journalism. Students will learn about and get practical experience in interviewing and writing feature stories. The class also includes a section on photography.

This class gives Students experience in journalism as they produce stories and photos for Fairmont's online school newsmagazine, www.fairmont-flyer.com. Students will hone their skills in interviewing, writing, editing, photography, photo editing, business, ad design, and ad selling. Students also will get valuable experience in planning, teamwork, motivation, creativity, and time management. To be accepted to this course, students must have initiative, diligence, a good background in English composition, a strong interest in people and Fairmont, and the ability to accept responsibilty. Students can take The Flyer course for one, two, or three years.

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for planning, writing, photographing, editing, and securing part of the financial backing of the yearbook. The yearbook class compiles a pictorial record of the Students, faculty, and events of the high school. The students do all writing, editing, photography, and layout in a laboratory environment. Students who have an interest in writing, business, art, or photography may apply for the staff. A B" average or above in English is preferred, and recommendation by teachers is required. All students are required to sell advertising as partial credit for the first grading period. Students will have an opportunity to fulfill this requirement during the summer. Students are encouraged to make this a two or three year project."

Students are responsible for all aspects of literary magazine production, culminating in the publication of Aerie. Class meets second semester, but students will be involved after school both semesters.

This laboratory course covers the various aspects of theater and performing arts. The primary focus of the course is to develop knowledge of theater as a communication skill and to develop appreciation for theater as an art form. Units of study include introduction to acting and character development, body movement, vocal techniques, improvisation, dramatic analysis, auditioning, fundamentals of play production, and introduction to technical theater. Students are required to see at least one play.

This advanced laboratory course continues the study included in Theatre I. Additional units of study include directing, Shakespearean acting, theatre history and production. Students will write and have the opportunity to stage their own one act play.

The Muse Machine Fine Arts Option meets the needs of students who wish to pursue an independent study of the arts. The student may accrue 60 hours (1/2 credit) or 120 hours (1 credit) of fine arts experience. The student must be a member of the Muse Machine, have a GPA of 2.5 or better, and be capable of the demands and responsibilities of independent study. The students will attend performances, exhibitions, lectures, and seminars, keep a log of all arts activities, keep an arts journal and read an arts text. The students must prepare a final project.

This course gives participants an in-depth look at theater through both a historical and cultural perspective. Students research theater practices and apply their knowledge to their own classroom projects and productions while working with classmates and groups of their peers. Projects will require students to consider both onstage and technical aspects of production. Students should be self-motivated and able to work well on their own and with others. Completion of all four assessments (1 per quarter) will earn students IB course credit. Students do not have to be IB Diploma candidates to take the course.