Writing Across the Curriculum

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is a program unique to AHA that encourages student writing in graded disciplines. All teachers assign writing appropriate to their curriculum. Students collect and file four or more pieces of their own writing from several subject areas each year and upload the graded version to their WAC Google drive folder. Requirements and options vary for each grade level. Before graduation, students participate in one-on-one writing conferences with faculty and staff to reflect on their writing growth and future goals.

AHA believes that writing clearly and concisely is a basic skill that our students should master to further their studies and communicate effectively in a global society. In addition, the WAC program demonstrates that course content, process, and product are interdependent and equally important. Writing is not only a mechanical skill our graduates should achieve but also a lifelong skill that they should continue to develop.

To meet this goal, WAC encourages students to revise and evaluate their own writing. We want to foster in students a responsibility for their own skill development independent of teachers’ assessments. Portfolio options are further intended to encourage writing for pleasure. By having their writing samples accumulate in one place, students can reflect on their personal growth. The WAC program is immensely successful and rewarding for students.

A completed writing portfolio is a graduation requirement. Students must be complete in their portfolios at the end of each year to be eligible to participate in co-curricular activities.