NOVA offers a wealth of classes balancing college preparation with student’s individual interests. Courses are listed by academic field as follows: Language Arts; Native Languages; Foreign Languages; Mathematics, Information and Communication Technology; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences and Humanities; Fine and Performing Arts; Physical Education; and Resource Programs. While the school makes every effort to offer all the courses described in the catalog, courses not meeting minimum requirements (8 students) will be cancelled. Please note that Advanced Placement (AP) International Baccalaureate (IB) programs require additional planning. The school requires that students who plan to take AP or IB courses let the homeroom know as early as grade 10 of their AP/IB plans. The course load must not exceed 3 AP or IB certificate courses per year.
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ADVANCED WRITING SEMINAR |
Credit:
0.50 |
Course No:
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The Advanced Writing seminar is an extension of the AP English Literature and Composition course. It is designed to gear up the students so as to answer successfully the free response (essay) section of the corresponding AP exam. It is required only of students enrolled in the AP English Literature and Composition course. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
15 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 11 HONORS
Open to grade(s):
12
Co-enrollment:
AP LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
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AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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As a college-level English class, AP English Language and Composition is designed to prepare students for the kind of reading and writing they will do at university. To that end, students in this class will write effectively across disciplines with attention to rhetorical choices and sensitivity to audience, and they will read a wide range of texts (books, film, art, cartoons, charts) and construct meaning of those texts with particular emphasis on analyzing writers’ stylistic and rhetorical choices. The course will be organized around the theme of American voices—voices from politics, religion, art, literature, sport, academia, and music, voices that are privileged and voices that are silenced, voices that calm and voices that confront. Our emphasis will be on how public discourse is framed and how American voices resonate and clash with voices from around the world. Students will be prepared to take AP English Language and Composition. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
15 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 10 HONORS and Teacher Approval
Open to grade(s):
11
Co-enrollment:
None
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AP LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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As an AP level class, English AP Literature and Composition has been devised to resemble an arduous college-level course. The amount and the type of reading assigned is quite challenging; the amount and the kind of writing rather frequent, and one which does require the workings of an independent intellect. Namely, the class participants, students and teacher alike, may converse with each other as a body of learners. Hence, if we are committed to the workload, in addition to the necessary learning via listening to one another, then this course will cultivate an environment where we are all teachers and students. Each class member will have his or her voice heard; writings will be read aloud, individual thoughts, ideas, observations shared so that collaborative and thus conclusive learning may take place. There is a summer reading requirement that has been exclusively designed for AP English Literature and Composition. Furthermore, NOVA’s AP English students write a critical essay, resembling a college-type paper (word processed, spell-checked, double-spaced, with a healthy bibliography and a cover page, between eight and fifteen pages in length) during the first semester. In the Spring semester, students undertake another project – a position paper, which revolves around their use of the class’ blog space and a specific piece of literary criticism. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
15 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 11 HONORS and Teacher Approval
Open to grade(s):
12
Co-enrollment:
ADVANCED WRITING
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EARLY ELD |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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This four hour block program is designed for newcomer students who are in their first year of school. It includes daily instruction in English language development and core course instruction in language arts, social studies, and science. The goal is to prepare students with the appropriate vocabulary, skills, tasks and knowledge to succeed in mainstream classes. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
15 |
Pre-requisite(s):
MAP score
Open to grade(s):
9, 10
Co-enrollment:
4 sections of ELD
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ENGLISH 10 |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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The analysis and study of world literature continues as the students further develop and hone their skills in the interpretation of a variety of accomplished works in literature, including short stories, world classics, and drama. Grammar skills are used to improve both written and verbal communication. Writing and composition instruction reinforce previously learned skills, with a special emphasis on the development of an individual style. In addition, each student is required to produce a formal research paper at the end of the course. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 9
Open to grade(s):
10
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 10 HONORS |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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English 10 Honors is a survey of world literature spanning nearly 5000 years of writing in a variety of genres - short story, poetry, essay, novel, and drama - through examination, research, and analysis of information using all modes of language - reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Student placement at this level is determined based on past performance, teacher recommendation, dedication to learning, and work ethic. Readings are more extensive compared to the regular levels. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 9 and Teacher Approval
Open to grade(s):
10
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 11 |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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Students study American literature presented in a chronological order and inclusive of all literary genres. Some portions of the curriculum are studied in conjunction with the American History course, and a joint English/Social Studies research paper and oral presentation may be required to complete the school’s basics in writing research papers requirement. The composition part is broadened, and students become familiar with various writing applications such as biographical narratives, expository and persuasive compositions, business letters, and resumes. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 10
Open to grade(s):
11
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 11 HONORS |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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The course attempts to position the relevance of text (in its strictest and its broadest form) within and without the study of America’s/American cultures. Henceforth, students will engage in a lengthy, time-exhausting, yet undeniably rewarding journey through the narrative dramas of a multi-hyphenated cultural region, tentatively known as ‘The Americas’. This journey will perhaps shed light on the worth of textual study in a culture-specific context, whence allowing the journey(wo)men the luxury of inter-textual travel and linkage. Borrowing from one of American Studies founding fathers, Professor Leo Marx, on a bi-weekly basis students will ascertain the absorption of texts which either follow the more pastoral relationship (man and nature) seemingly present in America’s texts throughout history, or the more industrialized one (man and industry). Each bi-weekly period will also observe individual student presentations (based on material stemming from students journal entries), whereas each of the topical relationships will also be addressed in individual student long-papers (akin to the research paper studied and administered during the English 10 Honors course). Students will be responsible to make time outside class for the journal entries and presentation preparations; however, the TWO long-papers will receive in-class time dedication (in terms of source and bibliography research and write-up). |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 10 and Teacher Approval
Open to grade(s):
11
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 12 |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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Senior year English is devoted to the study of the great works of literature. Emphasis through writing and discussion is placed on insights derived from reading. Students read poetry, drama, and prose from England and America and examine great works that have been translated. The writing component is focused on the analytical essays and creative pieces. Practice in writing is designed to lessen anxiety and facilitate unique student expression. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 11
Open to grade(s):
12
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 12 HONORS |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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The selection of seniors for this level is based on their aptitude, language skills, enthusiasm and love for this course, as appraised by the teacher. This course presents the students’ final development stage of sophistication in written and oral communication, proficiency in appreciating and critically analyzing various literary genres, and refinement of analytical, evaluative, objective, and imaginative skills. It also prepares students for the rigors of a college education, especially those determined to develop a Literature and Composition college orientation. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
ENGLISH 11 and Teacher Approval
Open to grade(s):
12
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 9 |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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Students are introduced to a broad view of world literature; this includes a variety of genres, which cover novels, poetry, drama, and the essay. Formal grammar includes basic parts of speech and extends to more complex usage. Vocabulary study and development are integral parts of the curriculum. The writing component of the class is expository in nature and builds from the sentence and paragraph to include the five-paragraph, thesis, the research paper, and the use of academic citation. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
MAP score
Open to grade(s):
9
Co-enrollment:
None
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ENGLISH 9 HONORS |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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This course is designed to introduce students to the main literary genres and their inherent features, literary devices used by authors to enhance those features, writing techniques, and grammatical principles. The students are also prompted to read extensively and respond to various topics in writing. In addition to honing the mastery of the language, the students are induced to develop a love for reading and literature, to use critical and creative thinking skills, and develop personal sense of elegance in both writing and speaking. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
MAP and Essay scores
Open to grade(s):
9
Co-enrollment:
None
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INTERMEDIATE ELD |
Credit:
1.00 |
Course No:
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The goal is to improve students’ knowledge of reading, writing, listening, and speaking English. This course is aligned with Nova's Language Standards and is designed to meet the proficiency benchmarks so that students can succeed in integrating into regular courses. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
15 |
Pre-requisite(s):
MAP score
Open to grade(s):
10, 11
Co-enrollment:
2 sections of ELD and Basic Science
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JOURNALISM |
Credit:
0.50 |
Course No:
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This course focuses on the fundamentals of scholastic journalism. Units may include the following: basic terminology, lead writing, news writing, feature writing, sports writing, opinion writing, ethics, graphic design, desktop publishing, and broadcast. This course may require later work on the school yearbook and newspaper. This course will develop and maintain diverse journalistic skills. A student may begin to apprentice as an editor later in the course. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
Open to grade(s):
10, 11, 12
Co-enrollment:
Yearbook/Newspaper
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SPEECH&DEBATE |
Credit:
0.50 |
Course No:
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This course introduces the basic principles of speech and communication, and the respective responsibilities of speakers and listeners. A major purpose of the course is to instill a positive orientation toward speech making. Students plan and present speeches to inform, to persuade, to explain, and to entertain. Students are also given training in competitive speaking events including debate, congress, extemporaneous speaking, oratory, impromptu, expository speaking, programmed reading, and dramatic and humorous interpretation. Students demonstrate speaking skills in a variety of competitions. Travel to a number of speech tournaments may be assigned; travel to extracurricular speaking engagements is encouraged. |
RESTRICTIONS
Class estimate:
20 |
Pre-requisite(s):
Open to grade(s):
10, 11, 12
Co-enrollment:
None
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