A new class focused on improving writing skills is coming to McNary High School next year, where students have the opportunity to earn college credit through Western Oregon University. The class, College Writing, sets out to be the level in-between regular English classes and AP classes.

“The goal is that students will gain essay writing skills in a variety of modes so that when they go to college they can feel prepared for a wide variety of tasks that professors may ask of them,” Mr. Andrew Tennant said.

The difference between College writing and the typical AP English classes is that students will receive college credit through Western Oregon University. In addition, should a student not pass, they can decline to have their grade on a college transcript.

In contrast, the AP class gives the same credit, but through Chemeketa, and your grade in the class is the one going on the transcript, but you can opt to take the AP test at the end of the year.