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Aquinas Writing Advantage

“Where Do I Begin?”

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"Where Do I Begin?"

Whether your student is just beginning in 6th grade, 9th grade, or jumping in later, here is your clear path forward. The schedule below is for your teen’s Foundations of Writing courses—where you get the most essential writing skills needed for academic success.

How do I use the information on this page?

  1. Follow the written guide below for Middle School and High School to determine where your teen should start based on grade level.
  2. Click on the course links below to go straight to the page in Caravel (our Learning Management System) if taking recorded courses. (Links are pending!)
  3. Refer to our LIVE Course Guide to access LIVE courses.
  4. Refer to our visual guides: the Middle School Course Roadmap or High School Course Roadmap.
  5. Questions? Contact Aubrey Heki, AWA Senior Director, at [email protected].

Middle School Foundations

Starting in the 6th Grade

If you’re starting in 6th grade, begin with the Writing Foundation Courses (6/7 Series). This foundational series focuses on grammar, punctuation, and strong sentence and paragraph writing, providing the essential building blocks for all future writing courses.  If you believe your student is advanced or perhaps needs more review, then take the AWA Writing Assessment for placement recommendations.

6th Grade

Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (6/7 Series)

  • 6/7-1: Writing Essentials 1: Punctuation and Grammar I
  • 6/7-2: Writing Essentials 2: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing
  • 6/7-3: Writing Essentials 3: Punctuation and Grammar II
  • 6/7-4: Writing Essentials 4: Strong Foundational Writing

7th Grade

Then, in the 7th Grade, take the Simplified Writing (7/8 Series) courses. The Simplified Writing series builds on previous knowledge so students can write clear, organized essays and papers. This course can also be taken with Critical Thinking, Vocabulary, or Spelling courses.

  • 7/8-1: Simplified Writing 1: Foundations of Composition I
  • 7/8-2: Simplified Writing 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
  • 7/8-3: Simplified Writing 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
  • 7/8-4: Simplified Writing 4: Writing Form and Style

8th Grade

Then, in the 8th Grade, take Introduction to Literature & Writing. If your student is in the 8th grade and has already taken the 6/7 & 7/8 Series, we recommend Introduction to Literature & Writing. This course helps students transition from writing-focused classes to literature-based analysis and composition. This course can also be taken with Critical Thinking, Vocabulary, or Spelling courses.

Starting in the 7th Grade

If you’re starting in 7th grade, begin with the Writing Foundation Courses (6/7 Series). This foundational series focuses on grammar, punctuation, and strong sentence and paragraph writing, providing the essential building blocks for all future writing courses.  If you believe your student is advanced or perhaps needs more review, then take the AWA Writing Assessment for placement recommendations.

7th Grade

Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (6/7 Series)

  • 6/7-1: Writing Essentials 1: Punctuation and Grammar I
  • 6/7-2: Writing Essentials 2: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing
  • 6/7-3: Writing Essentials 3: Punctuation and Grammar II
  • 6/7-4: Writing Essentials 4: Strong Foundational Writing

8th Grade

Then, in the 8th Grade, take the Simplified Writing (7/8 Series) courses. The Simplified Writing series builds on previous knowledge so students can write clear, organized essays and papers. This course can also be taken with Critical Thinking, Vocabulary, or Spelling courses.

  • 7/8-1: Simplified Writing 1: Foundations of Composition I
  • 7/8-2: Simplified Writing 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
  • 7/8-3: Simplified Writing 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
  • 7/8-4: Simplified Writing 4: Writing Form and Style

Optional (at any time after the 6/7 Series): Introduction to Literature & Writing
If your student is in the 8th grade and has already taken the 6/7 & 7/8 Series, we recommend Introduction to Literature & Writing. This course helps students transition from writing-focused classes to literature-based analysis and composition. This course can also be taken with Critical Thinking, Vocabulary, or Spelling courses.

Starting in the 8th Grade

If you’re starting in 8th grade, take the AWA Writing Assessment for placement recommendations, as some 8th graders may benefit from reviewing specific concepts in the Writing Foundation Courses (6/7 Series) before or alongside the 7/8 Series.

8th Grade

Take the Simplified Writing (7/8 Series) courses.
This course can also be taken with Critical Thinking, Vocabulary, or Spelling courses.

  • 7/8-1: Simplified Writing 1: Foundations of Composition 
  • 7/8-2: Simplified Writing 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
  • 7/8-3: Simplified Writing 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
  • 7/8-4: Simplified Writing 4: Writing Form and Style

Middle School Course Roadmap

High School Foundations

Starting in the 9th Grade

If you’re starting in 9th grade, begin with the Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series). If you believe your student is advanced or perhaps needs more review, then take the AWA Writing Assessment for placement recommendations.

9th Grade

Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series)
  • 9-1: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation & Grammar
  • 9-2: High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
  • 9-3: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraphs and Essays
  • 9-4: High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
Optional Creative Writing (in Addition to the 9 Series):
Fiction Writing Track (11 Series)
Students may take these concurrently with the 9 Series for the full fiction writing track.
  • 11-123: Plot & Structure; Description & Setting; Characters & Dialogue
  • 11-457: Theme, Style, & Point of View; Conflict & Creating the Breakout Novel; Writing the Short Story

10th Grade & Beyond 

Click here for the full list of courses to take.

Starting in the 10th Grade

If you’re starting in the 10th grade, take the AWA Writing Assessment to identify your student’s strengths and weaknesses and for placement recommendations. Or simply begin with the Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series).

10th Grade

Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series)
  • 9-1: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation & Grammar
  • 9-2: High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
  • 9-3: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraphs and Essays
  • 9-4: High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay

11th Grade

Then, in 11th Grade, take the Vocabulary & Writing (10 Series) courses.
  • 10-1: Vocabulary & Writing, Part One
  • 10-2: Vocabulary & Writing, Part Two

12th Grade

Then, in 12th Grade, take the Pre-College Writing (12 Series) courses.
  • 12-1: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
  • 12-2: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 2: Research, Argumentation, and College-Level Writing
Optional (at any time): Advanced Fiction Writing & Literary Forms
Students may take the Fiction and Creative Writing courses (11 Series and advanced) at any time and at the same time as the Foundations courses. If your student is completing the Full Fiction Writing program, take the fiction courses in addition to the Foundations courses. Begin here: 
  • 11-123: Plot & Structure; Description & Setting; Characters & Dialogue
  • 11-457: Theme, Style, & Point of View; Conflict & Creating the Breakout Novel; Writing the Short Story

Starting in the 11th Grade

If you’re starting in 11th grade, take the AWA Writing Assessment for placement recommendations. Or simply begin with the Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series) and take the Vocabulary & Writing Courses (10 Series) concurrently at any time.

11th Grade

Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series)
  • 9-1: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation & Grammar
  • 9-2: High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
  • 9-3: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraphs and Essays
  • 9-4: High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay

12th Grade

Then, in 12th Grade, take the Pre-College Writing (12 Series) courses.
  • 12-1: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
  • 12-2: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 2: Research, Argumentation, and College-Level Writing
    Students should complete the Pre-College Writing Courses (12 Series) to be completely ready for college/university courses.
Optional (at any time): Advanced Fiction Writing & Literary Forms
Students may take the Fiction and Creative Writing courses (11 Series and advanced) at any time and at the same time as the Foundations courses. If your student is completing the Full Fiction Writing program, take the fiction courses in addition to the Foundations courses. Begin here: 
  • 11-123: Plot & Structure; Description & Setting; Characters & Dialogue
  • 11-457: Theme, Style, & Point of View; Conflict & Creating the Breakout Novel; Writing the Short Story

Starting in the 12th Grade

If you’re starting in 12th grade, take the AWA Writing Assessment for placement recommendations, as some seniors may benefit from reviewing specific concepts in the Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series) before or alongside the 12 Series.
Recommended Courses
 Students should complete the Pre-College Writing Courses (12 Series):
  • 12-1: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
  • 12-2: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 2: Research, Argumentation, and College-Level Writing

High School Course Roadmap

Click on the links below for more…!

And there are more courses, including…

Take these courses in addition to the Middle School or High School Foundations courses.