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"Where Do I Begin?"
Whether your student is just beginning in 9th grade or is jumping in later, here is your clear path forward. Follow this guide to determine where your teen should start based on grade level.
The schedule below is for your teen’s Foundations of Writing courses—where you get the most essential writing skills needed for academic success. There are more courses—including Journalism, Business Writing, Advanced Storytelling & Fiction Writing (Hero’s Journey, Screenwriting, Videography & Writing, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing), Spelling, International Writing, Excellent Student skills, and more! Take these courses in addition to the Foundations courses.
Middle School Foundations
Coming Soon, Summer 2026
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.
Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series)
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9-1: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation & Grammar
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9-2: High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
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9-3: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraphs and Essays
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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.
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11-123: Plot & Structure; Description & Setting; Characters & Dialogue
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11-457: Theme, Style, & Point of View; Conflict & Creating the Breakout Novel; Writing the Short Story
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)
Take these Courses: Writing Foundation Courses (9 Series)
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9-1: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation & Grammar
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9-2: High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
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9-3: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraphs and Essays
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9-4: High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
Then, in the 11th Grade, take the Vocabulary & Writing (10 Series) courses.
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10-1: Vocabulary & Writing, Part One
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10-2: Vocabulary & Writing, Part Two
Then, in the 12th Grade, take the Pre-College Writing (12 Series) courses.
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12-1: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
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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:
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11-123: Plot & Structure; Description & Setting; Characters & Dialogue
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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.
Then, in the 12th Grade, take the Pre-College Writing (12 Series) courses.
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12-1: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
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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:
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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):
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12-1: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
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12-2: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 2: Research, Argumentation, and College-Level Writing