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Location & Contact Details

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Address:

West Catholic High School
1801 Bristol Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Events Calendar

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English

Program Goal: Through a faith-based education with an emphasis on the principles of Catholic doctrine, students will develop respect for others, effective communication skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity that will prepare them for success in college and in life.

Note: The difference in the courses at each grade level will include emphasis, pace and student expectation, as stated in the course descriptions. Standardized test scores, grades and teacher recommendations will be taken into consideration for placement in Honors and AP courses.

All students must earn ​4 credit hours in English and pass all required courses prior to graduation.  

Freshman Courses

All Freshman must enroll in either English I or Honors English I unless approved for the Foundations of English course which is primarily designed for English Language Learners.

English I

Course Number:  E205
Open to grades: ​ 9
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course will develop the essential language arts skills: literature study, composition, critical thinking, communication, grammar, usage and vocabulary. Specific elements of literary genres and essay fundamentals will be emphasized.

Honors English I

Course Number:  E206
Open to grades: ​ 9
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course is the first in a vertical team approach geared toward Advanced Placement credit and college English. Through the study of world literature across various genres, students will learn to analyze literature in depth and to discover the thematic connections between texts as well as the specific elements of each genre that contribute to understanding theme. Students will develop their writing skills by composing various essay forms as well as by refining grammar skills and writing conventions.

English Fundamentals

Course Number:  E204
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  Permission of School Counselor and English Department Head
Course Description:  This course, primarily for English Language Learners, is designed to improve basic English skills necessary for success at the high school level. It focuses on grammar with special attention to syntax, vocabulary development, reading and writing for academic purposes.

Oral Communications

Course Number:  E229
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours:  1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This one-semester class will include coursework in nonverbal, interpersonal, group and one-to-group communication. Students will learn to become more confident and effective communicators in a variety of speaking situations. Listening skills and leadership techniques will also be stressed.

Sophomore Courses

All Sophomores must enroll in either English II or Honors English II unless approved for English Fundamentals course which is primarily designed for English Language Learners.

English II

Course Number:  E207
Open to grades: ​ 10
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course will further develop essential language arts skills: literary analysis, composition, critical thinking, communication, grammar and vocabulary. Students will analyze American literature, making connections to culture and history.

Honors English II

Course Number:  E2109
Open to grades: ​ 10
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This is a second-year course in a vertical team approach geared toward Advanced Placement credit and college English. Through the study of American literature across various genres, students will hone their writing skills by composing various essay forms while also polishing grammar skills and writing conventions.

English Fundamentals

Course Number:  E204
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  Permission of School Counselor and English Department Head​​​​​​​
Course Description:  This course, primarily for English Language Learners, is designed to improve basic English skills necessary for success at the high school level. It focuses on grammar with special attention to syntax, vocabulary development, reading and writing for academic purposes.

Oral Communications

Course Number:  E229
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours:  1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This one-semester class will include coursework in nonverbal, interpersonal, group and one-to-group communication. Students will learn to become more confident and effective communicators in a variety of speaking situations. Listening skills and leadership techniques will also be stressed.

Journalism

Course Number:  E224
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit (Credit may be repeated)
Prerequisite:  “B” average in English, application submission/instructor recommendation
Course Description:  This course involves both classroom and staff room work in both the organization and production of up to 10 issues of the school newspaper. Work includes layout, design and news writing styles. Students will be required to sell advertising. This course can be taken for credit during the sophomore, junior and senior years.

Junior Courses

All Juniors must enroll in either English III or AP English Language and Composition unless approved for English Fundamentals course which is primarily designed for English Language Learners.

English III

Course Number:  E209
Open to grades: ​ 11
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course encourages a personal appreciation of literature and develops the student’s powers of expression, both in oral and written communication. It also introduces students to a range of world literature and nonfiction, which broadens the student’s perspective. Students will write in several modes of discourse, with an emphasis on analysis, argument, synthesis and rhetoric.

AP English Language & Composition

Course Number:  E219
Open to grades:  11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course emphasizes rhetoric and style in writing. Students study well-known works of creative world literature while analyzing nonfiction readings that reveal the linguistic power and expository effectiveness of various writers and of prose pieces. Students write extensively in this course to project their own voices, practice advanced writing techniques, and express logical and insightful thoughts based on experience, research, discussions, debates and readings. Participants are required to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May.

English Fundamenals

Course Number:  E204
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  Permission of School Counselor and English Department Head​​​​​​​
Course Description:  This course, primarily for English Language Learners, is designed to improve basic English skills necessary for success at the high school level. It focuses on grammar with special attention to syntax, vocabulary development, reading and writing for academic purposes.

Oral Communications

Course Number:  E229
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours:  1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This one-semester class will include coursework in nonverbal, interpersonal, group and one-to-group communication. Students will learn to become more confident and effective communicators in a variety of speaking situations. Listening skills and leadership techniques will also be stressed.

Journalism

Course Number:  E224
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit (Credit may be repeated)
Prerequisite:  “B” average in English, application submission/instructor recommendation
Course Description:  This course involves both classroom and staff room work in both the organization and production of up to 10 issues of the school newspaper. Work includes layout, design and news writing styles. Students will be required to sell advertising. This course can be taken for credit during the sophomore, junior and senior years.

Senior Courses

All Seniors must enroll in either English IV, AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition unless approved for English Fundamental course which is primarily designed for English Language Learners.

English IV

Course Number:  E210
Open to grades: 12
Credits:  1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  Senior English incorporates the essential strands of an English curriculum: literature, reading, grammar and writing. As the last year of pre-collegiate preparation, this course is a final opportunity for students to improve reading comprehension, use of writing conventions and written expression. The development of a global perspective will be facilitated through a study of world literature.

AP English Language & Composition

Course Number:  E219
Open to grades:  11, 12
Credits:  1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course emphasizes rhetoric and style in writing. Students study well-known works of creative world literature while analyzing nonfiction readings that reveal the linguistic power and expository effectiveness of various writers and of prose pieces. Students write extensively in this course to project their own voices, practice advanced writing techniques, and express logical and insightful thoughts based on experience, research, discussions, debates and readings. Participants are required to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May.

AP English Literature & Composition

Course Number:  E222
Open to grades:  12
Credits:  1 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course is geared toward Advanced Placement credit and college English through the careful reading of world literature. The works will be of recognized literary merit that are likely to be taught in an introductory college literature course. Analysis of rhetorical techniques in literature will be emphasized in the writing assignments. Participants are required to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May.

English Fundamentals

Course Number:  E204
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  Permission of School Counselor and English Department Head​​​​​​​
Course Description:  This course, primarily for English Language Learners, is designed to improve basic English skills necessary for success at the high school level. It focuses on grammar with special attention to syntax, vocabulary development, reading and writing for academic purposes.

Oral Communication

Course Number:  E229
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours:  1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This one-semester class will include coursework in nonverbal, interpersonal, group and one-to-group communication. Students will learn to become more confident and effective communicators in a variety of speaking situations. Listening skills and leadership techniques will also be stressed.

Journalism

Course Number:  E224
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit (Credit may be repeated)
Prerequisite:  “B” average in English, application submission/instructor recommendation
Course Description:  This course involves both classroom and staff room work in both the organization and production of up to 10 issues of the school newspaper. Work includes layout, design and news writing styles. Students will be required to sell advertising. This course can be taken for credit during the sophomore, junior and senior years.