Available to:  9th Grade Only
This course reviews the basic skills of grammar, usage, and mechanics.  The course involves the development of students’ spelling, vocabulary, library, and communication skills.  Studies in literature are designed to develop and reinforce reading skills and interest, build comprehension, and provide a basic reading repertoire. Placement in this course is determined by teacher recommendation and testing. 

Available to: 9th Grade Only
This course is designed for students who excelled in language arts studies in middle school and who intend to pursue higher education.  Because of the advanced nature of this course, very little of the material covered is review material.  An analytical study of vocabulary is an integral part of this course.  Honors English will encompass an extensive analytical and critical study of literature.  Composition of instruction focuses on organizational skills and using the writing process in logical and critical modes, especially in response to literature. Placement in this course is determined by teacher recommendation and testing.

Available to: 9th Grade Only
This course provides students with remedial work in such basic grammar skills as parts of speech, capitalization, and punctuation.  Reading comprehension is also an integral part of this course.  Special emphasis is placed on preparing students for the English I End of Course Exam.  Placement in Skills English I is determined by teacher recommendation and testing.

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in College Prep English I.  Vocabulary development and literature continue to be a focus of this course. 

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in Honors English I.  Practical grammar, composition, and advanced vocabulary studies are an integral part of this course.  The study of literature will include analysis and essay-test taking.

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in Skills English I.  erage.

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in Standard English II.  The study of literature will include the analysis of representative examples of American Literature in various genres.  The study of composition in this course focuses on the essay and research paper including organizational styles, documentation, and research techniques. 

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in Honors English II. This class promotes academic excellence in English language arts through enriched experiences in literature and composition.  Analytical vocabulary study continues to be an integral part of this course.  The study of composition focuses on the research paper, including organizational styles, documentation, and research techniques. Students also work on developing sophisticated writing styles.

These courses are designed to continue to review fundamental language arts skills necessary to function in the work-place.  Reading comprehension skills are reinforced.  

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in Standard English III.  The study of literature is confined to British literature and includes the critical analysis of representative examples of British literature as they reflect changes in the language and the development of literary traditions in the English language.  The research paper is also included in this course.

This course is designed to continue exploration of topics studied in Honors English III.  This class is the last of the high school honors English courses that prepare students for mastery of communication skills which institutions of higher learning require of entering freshmen.

This course is designed for students who wish to apply their language arts skills to the production of the monthly school newspaper, The Blue and Gold Review.  Students learn the basics of layout and design and develop advanced proofreading and interviewing skills.  Word processing and desktop publishing skills are also included in the course. Students must have instructor approval before they can enroll in the class.

Students will use desktop publishing software to create pages for the yearbook.  They will gain knowledge of basic layout and design.  They gain skills in using the industry standard Adobe In Design to create pages for submission to the plant. Students use Microsoft Excel to keep accurate records relevant to the yearbook. Students also use a variety of graphic programs to create and modify art for the yearbook.  This is an ongoing objective and will be accomplished in an independent study environment.  Students will also learn the basics of taking a good photograph.  Students learn to deal with the business world through ad sales and billing. Yearbook staff members must have instructor approval before they can enroll in the class.

Available to: 12 Grade

Joint enrollment English, a state of Tennessee approved academic program, is offered to GPHS seniors who exhibit strong skills in English (as demonstrated by a minimum ACT English score of 21) and academics (as determined by an overall minimum GPA of 3.2).  Seniors who meet both criteria are admitted to Walters State Community College as advanced studies students who will complete English 1110 (Composition I) & English 1120 (Composition II) during their final year at GPHS.  Since each class carries three semester hours of college credit, students may graduate from GPHS with a total of six semester hours of Language Arts granted from WSCC.  Students who do not maintain at least a C average in 1110 are not permitted to proceed to the next level. SENIORS ONLY.

The design of this course is to teach students skills, techniques and concepts necessary to improve standardized test scores.  Anyone planning to attend college or university should consider taking this course. (Grades 10-12)

An introductory speech-communication course which focuses on the skills development in the areas of interpersonal, small group, and public communication. Special emphasis is given to public speaking. Students must have a minimum of 19 in Reading on the ACT to take this course. (Available to Juniors and Seniors.)