Classic Literature and Composition

Class Year:  2025-2026
Time:  Mon 02:00 pm - 04:00 pm;
Teacher:  Stacie Ripkowski
Tuition:  $650 / Year or $65 / Month for 10 Months
Supply Fee:  $70 / Year Due Upon Registration (Non-Refundable after August 1)
Location:  Northwest (Cypress)

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My goals for this class are for the students to learn how to ask good questions, think critically, analyze information carefully, formulate informed opinions, and express those opinions competently and creatively.

This class offers high school students a chance to dig deeper into writing and literature. We will begin to analyze the literature we read through class discussions, guided learning, and response writing. We will have opportunities to write persuasively, analytically, and creatively. This class is a great steppingstone towards the challenge of upper-level high school and college writing and literature. Each student will gain skills they will use for life!

We will learn elements of literary analysis by studying a selection of short stories, poems, plays, and full-length novels. Harper Lee, Shakespeare, and Bradbury are among the classic authors we will read throughout the year.

Expect weekly quizzes as well as unit tests over the work as a whole. After applying the skills of careful reading, students will be challenged to participate in class discussions.

I want the students to be excited about seeing literature come to life, sharing their words through writing, and broadening their world view. I set high standards but work to provide students with the tools necessary to succeed. This course is intended as a pre-requisite to World and American Literature. Classic Lit is foundational for students who do not have a background in high-school level reading or writing.  Although all high schoolers are welcome, this course is geared toward ninth grade students.

As I am always tweaking curriculum to bring the best possible learning experience to class, a complete list of novels and texts are TBD and will be communicated during the summer. Students can expect to read novels such as To Kill A Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, A Raisin in the Sun, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, A Christmas Carol, and various short stories. Our writing curriculum goes back to the basics to ensure students end the year with the ability to craft fully developed, multi-paragraphed essays that demonstrate analytical, persuasive, and creative writing skills.

**Upon successful completion of this course, parents may choose to award 1 High School Honors English credit.

How this class fits into the sequence of PREP High School Literature:

9th grade (& up)– Classic Literature. This course covers the basics of writing, including how to gather information, outline thoughts, and write with style. Students will begin learning analysis in their reading through various works of short stories, full length novels, plays, and poetry.

10th grade (& up)– World Literature. This course continues to build on the writing skills and expand the depth at which we look at literature. Students will dig deeper into literary analysis through short stories, novels, plays, and poetry from around the world. Students will write a research paper in this class.

Tuition: $650/year OR $65/month for 10 months (August – May). I accept cash, checks, Venmo, and Zelle. When using Venmo, it will be $66/month and $659/year. I prefer automated checks via your bank each month. A late fee of $10 per week will be due if tuition is not paid on the first day of class each month.

One Time Supply Fee: $70 (Note: Your supply fee holds your spot in the class. No supply fee refunds after August 1.) Parents supply all novels and supplemental texts (must purchase specific edition and it must be unmarked).

Withdrawal Fee: Three months’ tuition after 9/30/2025

Minimum Student Requirement for course to make: 6 (This is a discussion-based course, and I find that students get the most out of the course with at least 6 in the class); Maximum is 18 students.