The AP English department is unique in the sense that the order in which certain courses are taught goes against the grain.  As compared to high schools across the nation, AP Literature and Composition is an 11th grade class rather than a 12th grade course, while AP Language and Composition is taught to seniors rather than juniors.

The reverse in order between AP Literature an AP Language has been in motion since the opening of the school and has been successful thus far.  In fact, AP Literature teacher Amy Johnson is convinced that schools that teach AP Language at a junior level have the flow backwards, as the course is foreign to students that are accustomed to fictitious literature-based studies.

“Basically, a student’s experience in English class from sixth to tenth grade is based on literature study.  They learn the elements of literature like character, setting, theme, etc.  These skills are the building blocks of AP Literature,” said Mrs. Johnson.  “Then in AP Lit we push the students to focus on not just what the text is saying, but how it’s being said.  So we then study tone, diction, syntax, organization, etc.  It is a natural progression of learning which benefits the students by relying on years of skills they have been studying.”

Rather than emphasizing the importance of literary devices and how they contribute to theme, AP Language is concerned with rhetorical strategies and persuasion.

Also, rather than heavily focusing on novels, the course incorporates nonfiction texts into its curriculum.  AP Language students are also expected to maintain awareness regarding current affairs and utilize their personal experiences to help them formulate analyses.

Mrs. Johnson feels that the maturity gained by senior year is an asset in the class that would not exist if the course were taught to juniors.

Students that have experienced both courses also feel that enrolling seniors in AP Language rather than juniors is a smart swap due to the amplification in development that occurs between 11th and 12th grade.

“I’d say my speaking skills are more developed and I can participate in classroom discussions more,” said Senior Blair Breazeale.  “Also I pay more attention to current events now that I am older.”