In high school, English class expectations change from understanding the content to analyzing a text and writing an argued judgment about it. These two abilities directly determine GPA in English Honors and AP courses. They are also the shared foundation for SAT reading and for college application essays. EDUBUS offers two seminars at this stage, and students choose based on where they need the most work.
What the High School Reading and Writing Seminars Each Address
- L6 Reading Seminar (G9–G11): targeted work on critical reading and analysis.
- High School Writing Seminar (G9–G12): targeted work on analytical writing.
Both run 35 weeks a year, with 90-minute sessions on weekends.
L6 Reading Seminar
The seminar works with demanding high school texts, including literary classics, opinion essays, and academic nonfiction. Training focuses on three areas: breaking down a text’s structure to identify the author’s line of argument, judging the intent behind the author’s position and tone, and comparing and synthesizing across texts. These are the areas that separate grade levels on school reading tests and in class discussion.
Classes are discussion-based. After reading, students must state their own judgment and support it with textual evidence, and the teacher presses on any gaps in the argument. Compared with reading alone, this gives students the chance to have their reasoning tested.
High School Writing Seminar
The seminar focuses on argumentative and analytical writing, trained through the full sequence of claim, evidence, rebuttal, and conclusion. Students learn to turn a vague reading response into a claim that can be argued, to choose suitable quotations and explain their role, to address opposing views directly, and to control academic tone.
Every piece goes through several rounds of revision. The teacher gives itemized feedback in four areas: claim, structure, evidence, and language. This complements school assignments, which are submitted once: students practice revision here and submit finished work at school.
Suggested Course Combinations with the High School Reading & Writing Seminars
- Standardized testing: SAT Grammar & Reading Seminar and Digital SAT Prep. Once ability improves, students move on to question-type and pacing practice.
- Results: the Writing Competition Class: Middle / High prepares students for the John Locke essay competition, The New York Times student writing contests, and similar events. Speech & Debate Competitions trains spoken argument.
- Full-year bundle: the Ivy-Level English Program combines reading, writing, standardized testing, and competitions into one full-year plan.
- Weekend reading and writing: the advanced level of the Reading & Writing Weekend Program covers grades 9 to 11.
- Students who need support that follows their school’s pacing can choose 1-on-1 Tutoring.
How to Start the High School Reading & Writing Seminars at EDUBUS
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
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Contact a course advisorHS Reading · Writing: Frequently Asked Questions
How do these seminars differ from SAT preparation?
They do different jobs. The reading and writing seminars build English subject ability, which feeds directly into GPA in English Honors and AP courses. SAT grammar and reading classes work on question formats and timing. Ability is the base and technique is the addition, so students usually take them one after the other rather than choosing between them.
My child in Irvine has a B in English. Which course first?
Look at where the points are lost. If they are lost on reading quizzes and in class discussion, comprehension of the text is not deep enough and the L6 Reading Seminar is the place to start. If essay scores are low, start with the HS Writing Seminar. Students with both problems should take both courses, or use one-on-one tutoring to concentrate the work.
Is grade 12 too late for an Irvine student to join?
No. The HS Writing Seminar covers grades 9 to 12, so grade 12 students can still enroll, with the focus shifting to the analytical writing required by school essays and application essays. The L6 Reading Seminar covers grades 9 to 11, so a grade 12 student takes the writing seminar on its own.
When do the classes meet?
Both seminars meet at weekends, 35 weeks a year, 90 minutes a session, which keeps them clear of the weekday coursework carried by high school students in Irvine and nearby cities. Exact time slots, tuition, and bundle offers appear in the 2026-27 program guide, which you can request through the form below.
