The English Department has a variety of courses to challenge and inspire students. All students are required to take four years of English. The English curriculum is a literature and informational text-based program that focuses on reading and writing while exposing all students to significant literary works and items of non-fiction. Strategies and instruction will guide students through a range of critical thinking processes as they study content and focus on aesthetic, ethical, and cultural issues. Each student will be encouraged to use analytical skills to reach an understanding of the texts and to establish connections between the content and his or her own life. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be integrated and language skills will be taught in meaningful contexts. The writing component to the English curriculum focuses on the writing process, moving through the writing stages with attention to fluency and content, as well as form and usage. Writing assignments complement the literature that is read and encourage the students' in-depth exploration of universal themes. Class selections include College Preparatory, Honors, and Advanced Placement courses. Grades 11 and 12 offer courses that align with the corresponding academic pathway each student has selected.
