5030 | English 9: 10 credits – grade 9 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
In Grade 9 Reading, Writing, and Communicating, students strengthen foundational literacy skills through close reading of literary and informational texts, evidence-based writing, and purposeful speaking and listening. Aligned with the 9th grade-level Colorado Academic Standards that will be differentiated and accessible to all learners, the course emphasizes analytical thinking and effective communication. Students engage in structured writing in narrative, informational, argumentative, and literary analysis genres. Students learn to support ideas with textual evidence, participate in collaborative discussions, conduct research, and apply grammar and vocabulary in context, laying the groundwork for academic success and responsible communication.
5030 A/B | College Prep English 9: 10 credits – grade 9 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
In College Prep Grade 9 Reading, Writing, and Communicating, students deepen literacy skills through close reading of literary and informational texts, evidence-based writing, and purposeful speaking and listening. Aligned with the 9th grade-level Colorado Academic Standards, the course emphasizes analytical thinking and effective communication. Students engage in structured writing in narrative, informational, argumentative, and literary analysis genres. Students learn to support ideas with textual evidence, participate in collaborative discussions, conduct research, and apply grammar and vocabulary in context, laying the groundwork for academic success and responsible communication.
8727 | English 10 (formally World Lit/Comp): 10 credits – grade 10 –English Language Arts – prerequisite: English 9 or CP English 9
Grade 10 Reading, Writing, and Communicating builds on prior learning with a focus on deeper analysis of complex texts, refined writing techniques, and effective verbal and digital communication. In alignment with the 10th grade-level Colorado Academic Standards that will be differentiated and accessible to all learners, students engage in critical reading, write with clarity and purpose across multiple genres, including narrative, informational, argumentative, and literary analysis. Students participate in meaningful discussions and presentations with an emphasis on evaluating arguments, synthesizing research, and applying language conventions, preparing students for the academic demands of upper-level coursework and real-world communication.
5408 | College Prep English 10 (formerly CP World Lit/Comp): 10 credits – grade 10 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: English 9 or CP English 9
College Prep grade 10 Reading, Writing, and Communicating strengthens prior learning with a focus on deeper analysis of complex texts, refined writing techniques, and effective verbal and digital communication. In alignment with the 10th grade-level Colorado Academic Standards, students engage in critical reading, write with clarity and purpose across multiple genres, including narrative, informational, argumentative, and literary analysis. Students participate in meaningful discussions and presentations with an emphasis on evaluating arguments, synthesizing research, and applying language conventions, preparing students for the academic demands of advanced upper-level coursework and real-world communication.
Upperclassmen Course Options:
5863 | US Literature and Composition: 10 credits – grade 11, 12 –English Language Arts – prerequisite: English 10 or CP English 10
American Literature courses focus upon commonly known American authors and their work. Students improve their critical-thinking skills as they determine the underlying assumptions and values within the selected works and as they understand how the literature reflects the society of the time. Oral discussion is an integral part of this course as is the emphasis on narrative informational/explanatory and argumentative writing.
5861 | AP Language and Composition: 10 credits – grade 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: English 10 or CP English 10
This class will provide both a scope and sequence survey of U.S. literature and preparation for the AP English Language Exam. It is a yearlong course focusing on the development of sophisticated skills in English as they pertain to literature and to language. Along with their readings in U.S. literature students will study writing style, usage, and practice rhetorical analysis of fiction and non-fiction. The study of language itself - differences between oral and written discourse formal and informal languages historical changes in speech and writing will often be used as an organizing strategy. At FCHS, students read and analyze both U.S. and world literature. There is a significant text overlap between U.S. Lit. and AP Lang, so students should avoid taking both courses.
5860 | AP Composition and Literature: 10 credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: recommended AP Lang & Comp
This course includes the study of short stories drama novels and poetry with emphasis on discussion thorough understanding and analysis of works of literature. Students read and study famous authors from ancient to contemporary times. This course is designed to complete an accelerated sequence of reading and writing classes in high school. Students may subsequently sign up to take the Advanced Placement examination for college credit in English.
7282 | AP Seminar (Year 1): 10 credits - grades 11, 12 - English Language Arts - no prerequisite
AP Seminar is the first of two year-long courses that comprise the Advanced Placement Capstone program. This foundational course provides students with opportunities to think critically and creatively, research, explore, pose solutions, develop arguments, collaborate, and communicate using various media. Students explore real-world issues through a variety of lenses and consider multiple points of view to develop deep understanding of complex issues as they make connections between these issues and their own lives. Students read articles, research studies, and foundational and philosophical texts; listen to and view speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experience artistic and literary works to gain a rich appreciation and understanding of issues. Themes like education, innovation, revolution, sustainability, and technology are selected and allow for deep exploration based on student interests, local and civic issues, global or international topics, and concepts from other Advanced Placement courses. Students are assessed with two through-course performance tasks and an end-of-course exam. The AP Seminar score is based on all three assessments and is reported on the standard 1-5 AP scoring scale. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both of the AP Capstone courses will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate from the College Board.
7950CEFRHS| FRCC Humanities: Medieval to Modern (HUM1022): 5 credits/3 college credits – grades 11, 12 – Humanities, Language Arts – no prerequisite
HUM 1022: Introduces the interdisciplinary study of ideas that have defined cultures through a survey of the visual, performing, and literary arts, emphasizing connections among global cultures from the medieval to the early modern era. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category.
7496CEFRHS| FRCC Humanities: Early Civilizations (HUM1021): 5 credits/3 college credits – grades 11, 12 – Humanities, Social Studies, Language Arts – no prerequisite
HUM 1021: Introduces the interdisciplinary study of ideas that have defined cultures through a survey of the visual, performing, and literary arts, emphasizing connections among diverse cultures, including European and non-European, from the prehistoric to the early medieval era. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category.
9277CEFRCC | FRCC Interpersonal Communication (COM1250): 5 credits/3 college credits – grade 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: application
COM 1250: Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is offered as Campus Select (@FRCC) and registration is through ewolf. See counselor for details.
Composition/Writing Options:
5220 | Creative Writing: 5 credits – grades 11,12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This class enables students to explore and develop their special talents and interests in writing short stories, poems, plays, and other creative works. At FCHS: Students will examine a variety of models as they develop their understanding of each genre/form. Meeting deadlines, accepting and giving feedback, reading aloud to a group or a partner, and the willingness to produce a substantial amount of writing are all essential components of this course.
5815 | Digital Composition: 5 credits – grades 11,12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This semester-long, standards-based, English Language Arts course will allow students to study emerging theory/research on digital literacy and composing in a digital world as well as how copyright and intellectual property protections apply. Students will analyze and create digital and multi-modal compositions reflective of topics relevant to them and the issues we face in the 21st Century. Students will engage in units that explore: Theory, Research, and Rules about Digital Literacy and writing; Digital Storytelling; Multi-modal Poetry creation; Digital Essay writing; Research; and Multi-modal/Digital Mini Documentary creation. Throughout the course, students will apply current research and text analysis to their own composing/creation acts.
9325CEFRHS | FRCC English Composition I (ENG1021): 5 credits/3 college credits – grades 12 – English Language Arts – See Counselor for Pre-requisite (SAT score, Grades/GPA, or Test placement).
ENG 1021: Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category.
9334CEFRHS | FRCC English Composition II (ENG1022): 5 credits/3 college credits – grades 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: English 1021 or AP Language & Comp Test score of 3 or above
ENG 1022: Expands and refines the objectives of English Composition I. Emphasizes critical/logical thinking and reading, problem definition, research strategies, and writing analytical, evaluative, and/or argumentative compositions.
This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO2 category.
Literature/Reading Options:
5530 | Short Fiction: 5 credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
In this class the study of short fiction as a literary form strives to help students widen their perspectives. Students will explore ways in which literature reflects the human condition while stressing critical and analytical thinking. Students will review the basic characteristics of fiction as well as develop effective communication skills by completing various writing assignments and creative projects.
5064 | Graphic Novels: 5 credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
The study of graphic novels involves the analytical reading of the text and "reading" of the illustrative, "comic" art paired with its novel-styled narrative. An examination of the foundational components of this literary format will begin the course, and, with these concepts in mind, students will complete creative works and develop their skills in reading and writing as they interpret, explain, and support their ideas verbally, in short writing assignments, and essay writing.
5588 | Video Games as Literature: 5 credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This course will teach students to approach video games with the same critical thinking lenses they apply to traditional literature, film, and other texts. With a focus on narrative-based video games, students will analyze and evaluate game designers' building of themes through character, setting, and plot; compare and contrast the experiences of reading books, watching films, and playing video games; and collaborate with peers to write and present narratives of their own. In addition to these elements shared with traditional literature, students will apply theories of video game design and evaluate game designers' choices based on devices specific to video games. While "reading" will primarily take the form of playing video games individually, in groups, and as a whole class, reading of short stories and informational texts will be required. Writing and discussion demands will be similar to other English classes.
5589 | Video Games as Literature II: 5 credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: Video Games as Lit
This course is an extension of the Video Games as Literature I class that teaches students to approach video games with the same critical thinking lenses they apply to traditional literature, film, and other texts. With a focus once again on narrative-based video games, students will analyze and evaluate game designers' building of themes through character, setting, and plot. In addition to the same skills and topics covered in VGAL I, students will learn a multidisciplinary approach to the academic study of video games. Students will evaluate the impact of the modernist, postmodernist, and metamodernist literary movements on video games; dive deeper into the impact of identity, culture, and politics on gaming and video games' effects on players; propose a research design to test group-generated hypotheses about key facets of gaming; and write a hypertextual video game story all of their own creation.
9330CEFRHS | FRCC Introduction to Literature I (LIT1015): 5 credits/3 college credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite.
LIT 1015: Introduces fiction, poetry, and drama. This course emphasizes active and responsive reading. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category.
1378CEFRHS | FRCC Literature & Film (LIT2057): 5 Credits/3 college credits- grade 11, 12- Language Arts - no prerequisite
LIT 2057: Examines the relationship between literature and motion pictures, emphasizing the technique and interpretive function of filmmakers.
Language Arts Electives for All Grade Levels
5580 | Play & Script Writing: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This course is designed to teach students how to observe, analyze, discuss, outline, plot, write and revise scripts for the stage and screen, including all terminology and formatting for each style.
1374 | Film Studies: Intro to Film Analysis: 5 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Humanities, Language Arts – no prerequisite
The focus of the course will be the academic study of film. The goal is for students to become active, analytical viewers of film. To this end, students will be exposed to the elements of narrative filmmaking as well as an overview of the history of film with an emphasis on cinematic classics. Students will read extensively on film craft, history, and criticism. They will also read and analyze a novel that has been adapted for the screen with the purpose of comparing and contrasting the narrative techniques of the different mediums. Students will write in a variety of compositional modes including but not limited to: analytical/interpretive, compare/contrast, research/argumentation, critical reviews, etc. Visual media has become pervasive in American society and there is a need to instruct our students to become critical, discerning viewers of this powerful medium.
5900 | Argumentation and Debate: 5 credits – grades 9,10, 11,12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This theory and practice of argument will be discovered and applied in various persuasive situations. Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and legislative debate techniques will be introduced. Students will research and write debate cases and participate in debates in class. Skills in organizing and writing debate cases and conducting a critical analysis of research literature will be emphasized in addition to oral analysis and refutation.
5910 | Forensics (Debate): 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: Instructor Approval (after hours)
Students will study all areas of forensic competition exclusive of debate and will be expected to specialize in duet acting extemporaneous speaking original oratory interpretation of dramatic literature interpretation of humorous literature or interpretation of poetry. Prerequisite: Instructor's approval.
1769 | Business Communication: 5 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
Students learn techniques for writing informational, professional, sales, news and other communications. The course explores new trends and technologies relating to business communications, including email, social media, blogging and SEO.
5814 | Online Media I: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
Students demonstrate their understanding of a variety of programs and occupations in online media using digital tools that are widely available in professional media work. Focus is on producing content for online consumer-oriented platforms. Instruction will be paired with hands-on lab experiences in community reporting, both verbal and visual.
5816 | Online Media II: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: no prerequisite
This course is recommended for students who have completed Online Media I and who want to develop their leadership skills while expanding on various modes of reporting and creating online media for specific audiences and online consumer-oriented platforms. Instruction will be paired with hands-on lab experiences.
5290S1 | Television Production A: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – no prerequisite
TV producers work behind the camera, putting together the different elements of the broadcast and making sure that everything works together smoothly. This course covers the essential components of TV broadcast production, including the use of microphones, cameras, videotape recorder-editors, switchers, and lighting equipment. The basics of editing and chroma key (blue screen) techniques are also introduced. Students gain practical experience producing their own video projects in the studio.
5290S2 | Television Production B: 10 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: Television Production A
TV producers work behind the camera, putting together the different elements of the broadcast and making sure that everything works together smoothly. This course covers the essential components of TV broadcast production, including the use of microphones, cameras, videotape recorder-editors, switchers, and lighting equipment. The basics of editing and chroma key (blue screen) techniques are also introduced. Students gain practical experience producing their own video projects in the studio.
5281 | Editing: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This course is recommended for students who have completed Reporting and who want to develop their leadership skills while expanding on various modes of reporting and creating presentations in multiple platforms for specific audiences. Instruction will be paired with hands-on lab experiences.
5265 | Reporting: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite
Students are introduced to the variety of programs and occupations in audio/video technology, and communications and media systems. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to gather information that may be published in print or online media. Instruction will be paired with hands-on lab experiences in community reporting, both verbal and visual.
1373S1 | Filmmaking A: 5 credits- grades 9,10,11,12 – English Language Arts, Fine & Applied Arts - no prerequisite
Students learn how to use digital video editing software to create, edit, and save movies. Students create movies using digital video clips, digital photos, and music. The basics of shooting good video, capturing video from a camera to a computer, creating movies for the web, and creating a finished product will be covered.
1373S2 | Filmmaking B: 5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts, Fine & Applied Arts - no prerequisite
Students expend how to use digital video editing software to create, edit, and save movies. Students create movies using digital video clips, digital photos, and music. The basics of shooting good video, capturing video from a camera to a computer, creating movies for the web, and creating a finished product will be covered.
5269 | Yearbook/Journalism: 5/5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – prerequisite: None
In Yearbook, all students will be expected to use their talents as best as they can to ensure the delivery of a top-notch product to our yearbook customers. In the earlier parts of class, students will learn how to write engaging stories and captions, conduct effective interviews to capture stories around the school, and capture amazing moments with solid photography. Then, as the school year continues, students will use what they’ve learned to create an excellent yearbook while learning transferable soft skills including teamwork, meeting deadlines, and and communicating effectively with a wide range of people. Students are required to complete monthly service requirements by either attending events to write, interview, and photograph or helping with yearbook sales and distribution during and outside of the school day. At FCHS, this will be taught in Q2 & Q3.
5740 | Adobe InDesign A/B (Yearbook): 5/5 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts, Fine & Applied Arts – prerequisite: None
This course concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe InDesign as a print and digital media publication tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to works for publication. Students will analyze critique and discuss original student writing. Students may serve as the editorial board selecting material for publication in the school's literary magazine. This class will include editing and publishing skills. At FCHS, Yearbook covers all phases of yearbook production. Students learn to design layouts write copy organize materials select photographs and function as a cooperative member of a publications staff. This will be taught in Q1 & Q4.
3800 | World Humanities – Asia: 5 credits – grades 11, 12 – Humanities, English Language Arts, Social Studies – no prerequisite
Students will study the cultures of India China Japan and other Asian countries through historical events art literature philosophy music and architecture. Study will include relating events and concepts of Asia with those of Western Civilization.
3810 | World Humanities – Africa and the Americas: 5 credits – grades 11, 12 (10th, if completed AP Human Geo in 9th) – Humanities, Social Studies, English Language Arts – no prerequisite
This semester class explores the world views and creative arts of the cultures in Africa and the Americas. The course will include but not be limited to the study of history philosophy religion literature and the arts. Study will include relating events and concepts of Africa and the Americas with those of Western Civilization.
9464CEFRHS | FRCC Intro to Medical Terminology (HPR1038): 5 credits/3 college credits – grades 11, 12 – English Language Arts – no prerequisite.
HPR1038: Introduces the student to the structure of medical terms with emphasis on using and combining the most common prefixes, roots and suffixes. Includes terms related to major body systems, oncology, psychiatry, as well as clinical laboratory and diagnostic procedures and imaging. Class structure provides accepted pronunciation of terms and relative use in the healthcare setting.
9707CEFRHS | FRCC Exploration of Teaching (EDU2201):
9708CEFRHS | FRCC Practicum II (EDU2088): 10 credits/6 college credits– grades 10, 11, 12 – English Language Arts – Prerequisite: EDU2211/EDU1088
EDU2201: Gives students a study of the broad overview of topics related to the teaching profession, grades K-12. Provides a hands-on, relevant exploration to help each student personally consider a career in education.
EDU 2088: Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the education facility and with the direct guidance of the instructor.