This course is designed for preparation for timed essays, outlining introductions and conclusions, using facts and personal experience to advocate a hypothesis and meaningful, flowing paragraphs.  Providing PSAT practice questions, model articles and reading comprehensions to improve critical thinking skills. Also to review usage, structure, and ways to use language with sensitivity to meaning.

This course is designed for 8th-9th grade students who will receive instruction on various writing skills including: expository critique, literary response & analysis. They will learn how to write essays in different formats, including: narration, exposition, persuasion, description and research. Finally, students will gain insight on how to expound on personal opinions, effectively apply grammar skills and evaluate writing from the reader's point of view.

This is a comprehensive writing course to prepare students to write clearly and effectively at the high school level. We will emphasize important writing elements such as structure, diction, syntax, and personal style. Students will be challenged to write in a wide variety of formats including paragraphs, essays, journalistic articles, personal statements, poetry, and more.

The Center for Talented Youth Program (CTY) is a resource for junior high school students who are academically gifted and want to push themselves above and beyond to reach their full potentials. Students will be challenged with intensive writing and grammar practices, critical reading and comprehension exercises, math brain teasers and enrichment problems. Once the student has qualified for the program, he or she has access to numerous academic enrichment programs hosted by John Hopkins University. Enrolling in this program consists of many benefits including: enrolling in the CTY academic program that serves the student's bright and unique learning needs, familiarizing him or her self with the SAT or ACT several years before working on college admissions and being certified by John Hopkins University, including state awards ceremonies if qualified. The course will focus on the student's academic growth and foster their love of learning.