Our Language Arts classes are live, two times per week, all-year long.
Teachers:
Kathryn Loveday 6th/7th Grade
Celeste Guthrie 8th/9th Grade and 10th-12th Grade
(Read more about their biographies here)
Course Description
Grade 6/7 Language Arts (JYA 2026–2027)
The course deepens the middle school student’s language arts skills through an integrated approach to grammar, writing, reading, creative expression, and research. They explore advanced grammar while reviewing foundational elements, develop clear and thoughtful writing across various forms, and engage with classic literature to enrich vocabulary and comprehension. Creative writing encourages self-expression through stories and poetry, while research projects foster independent inquiry and practical skills – all within a developmentally appropriate and engaging online learning environment.
Fall Semester:
Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Spring Semester:
‘I am Malala’ by Malala Yousafzai (Young Readers Edition)
Grade 8/9 Language Arts (JYA 2026–2027)
In this engaging, full-year course, students build on foundational skills while exploring the beauty and complexity of language through poetry, short stories, novels, and non-fiction. Each class blends journal writing, discussions, and skill-building exercises to strengthen creative and critical thinking. Students will develop their abilities in essay writing, creative writing, vocabulary expansion, grammar, literary analysis, and oral expression. Through close study of literary techniques and regular writing practice, students will sharpen their organization of ideas, communication skills, and personal writing style. With a focus on thoughtful expression and strong writing mechanics, this course encourages students to become confident, reflective readers and writers.
The Grade 8/9 Language Arts course is taught on a two-year rotation, allowing students to take the course for two consecutive years without repeating curriculum, while continuing to build their reading, writing, discussion, public-speaking, and critical-thinking skills no matter where they enter the cycle.
Fall Semester:
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Spring Semester:
Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
Grade 10–12 Language Arts (JYA 2026–2027)
In this advanced, full-year course, students deepen their love of language while strengthening their skills in creative writing, literary analysis, and critical thinking. Through the study of poetry, short stories, novels, and non-fiction, students are encouraged to think deeply, express themselves clearly, and engage thoughtfully with a wide range of ideas. Each class blends journal writing, discussion, and skill-building activities focused on essay writing, creative writing, vocabulary development, grammar, and oral expression. Students explore complex literary techniques, examine major themes and motifs, and create original written works across multiple genres. With a focus on clear organization, personal voice, and writing mechanics, this course challenges students to grow as insightful readers, confident writers, and thoughtful communicators.
The Grade 10–12 Language Arts course is taught on a three-year rotation, allowing students to take the course for three consecutive years without repeating curriculum, while continuing to deepen their reading, writing, discussion, public-speaking, and critical-thinking skills no matter where they enter the cycle.
Fall Semester:
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Spring Semester:
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
More details about our 2026-2027 Language Arts courses.
- Year-Long Courses. All of our Language Arts courses meet for the entire year, for a total of 32 weeks. These courses follow the same Academy calendar for vacations. The first day of classes are Tuesday, September 8.
- Two times per week – Live! The instructor meets live with the students (via Zoom) two times per week. Each meeting lasts 55 minutes.
- Class Times. Classes meet (live via Zoom) at the following times (all times are MT):
- 6th/7th:
- Section A: Mon & Fri at 10:30am
- Section B: Mon & Thurs at 1pm
- 8th/9th:
- Section A: Wed at 10:30am & Fri at 1pm
- Section B: Mon at 10:30am & Fri at 2:15pm
- 10th/12th:
- Section A: Wed & Fri at 11:45am
- Section B: Mon & Wed at 2:15pm
- 6th/7th:
- Not Recorded. The live sessions with the students are not recorded
- Assignments. Students should expect to do some reading and writing work between classes.
- No Group Meetings. There are no extra student group meetings beyond the two live sessions per week.
- Course Reports. We will provide a course report at the end of the course.
- Tuition. The tuition for the course is $1296 per year ($144 per month). Payments are made monthly (see the Academy Calendar for the start dates of each quarter).
- Financial Assistance. We have limited funds for offering financial assistance to families. You can fill out our financial assistance form to request this. This form must be submitted and approved before you enroll (both registration and payment).
Course Materials:
Students will need a letter sized (8.5″ x 11″) notebook (lined or blank) for writing in each class.
