Students and Parents:

I’m very excited to be working with you next year as you take either English 101 or AP English Language and Composition.

About the Course

MNHHS offers three English courses at the junior level: English 3, English 101, and AP English Language and Composition. English 3 is the basic course. College-bound students are recommended to take either English 101 or AP English Language to more fully prepare for college. While they have different names, English 101 (dual-credit) and AP English Language are similar courses. I will be teaching the same concepts and using the same textbooks. Both courses are taught fully onsite at MNHHS. The only major differences are the enrollment requirements and how you can receive college credit from the course. 

As this is a college-level course, we do move at a different pace than regular junior English. Assignments can be difficult, and the course will be challenging. We will read many works in addition to the ones listed in this letter, and students will write many essays by the time the school year has concluded. I want to stress, though, that a student who is willing to work hard will succeed in this course. I encourage you to look carefully at the course calendars and overviews for each unit and plan your time accordingly, especially if you are enrolled in other dual-credit or Advanced Placement courses. You will always have access to my course calendars well in advance.

English 101 and AP English Language are weighted on the high school transcript at a 5 point scale rather than the traditional 4 point scale. Some colleges do not accept weighted GPAs. It is also MNHHS policy that students in the class of 2023 who wish to be valedictorian take AP English versus English 101.

Receiving College Credit

You can possibly receive college credit for this course. Before the school year begins, I encourage you to do some research and be sure that you have enrolled in the correct course for your college pathway. 

	AP Language	English 101
Course Enrollment	None	Qualifying ACT or GPA*
College Credit	AP Exam ($95)	Pass the course
Cost of the Course	None	Tuition (scholarship available)**

* The qualifying requirements are set by MCC. I will share those via Remind (code below).

** See “Cost of the Course” below for details about the scholarships.

Students who take AP must take the AP exam ($95) and make a qualifying score on the exam to earn college credit. A qualifying score is generally a 3, 4, or 5, depending upon the requirements of the college. If you do not wish to earn college credit, it is not necessary to take the exam. Students who take English 101 will receive credit based upon their final grade at the end of the school year. 

If you have not selected a college yet, I suggest that you check the three colleges you are most interested in to see what AP exam score they accept, and to see if they accept transfer credit of English 101 from MCC. You can do this at the colleges’ websites, or you may use the following links:

• AP Qualifying Scores: https://bit.ly/APLangColleges
• MCC Transfer Information: https://bit.ly/ENG101MCC2 

Cost of the Course

If you enroll in AP English Language and Composition, there is no charge for the course. There is a fee for the exam in May ($95); students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may qualify for a voucher. If you enroll in English 101, there is a cost for the course. Students may apply for a scholarship to fully cover this cost; the guidance department will provide you with more information about that application in the fall. The state of Kentucky pays for high school students to take two dual-credit courses. You can read more about that scholarship here: http://bit.ly/MCCDCScholarship. 

You will also need to purchase a number of books for this course. I do have a limited number available for checkout; please let me know if you would like to be put on the list for those books. You may purchase physical or digital copies.

Textbook List:

• AMSCO Advanced Placement English Language and Composition (provided)
• Summer Reading (must be completed before school starts): All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr – ISBN 1476746583
• First Trimester: Thank You For Arguing, 4th Edition, by Jay Heinrichs – ISBN 0593237382
• First Trimester: Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara – ISBN 0679643249
• Second Trimester: All the Gallant Men, by Donald Stratton – ISBN 9780062645364
• Third Trimester: The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien – ISBN 0544309766

Summary

The courses are almost exactly the same. The only differences are the enrollment requirements and how you potentially earn college credit. You are encouraged to use the links provided above to research which course would be more appropriate for you. You should also be aware that you will face a similar decision with senior English (college credit can be earned through English 102 or AP English Literature and Composition). I recommend that you follow the same path for junior and senior courses, especially if you take ENG 101/102, as many colleges require that you complete BOTH 101 AND 102  to receive credit.

Questions?

Students are encouraged to join the Remind: text @msceng21 to 81010. Parents may join a parent-only Remind: text @mscpar2021 to 81010. You are welcome to e-mail me (micki.clark@hopkins.kyschools.us) or contact your guidance counselor if you have additional questions or concerns.