The course's objective is to develop writing skills and enable students to recognize and appreciate various genres of literature. There is an emphasis on refining grammar and language aptitude. The students write multiple paragraph essays and compositions, with special emphasis placed on the literary analysis essay where attention to matters of substance, organization and correctness are highlighted. The course provides a comprehensive study of World Literature as it has been expressed in novels, short stories, and drama from Shakespearean times to the present.

This course’s objective is to develop writing skills and enable students to recognize and appreciate various genres of literature. There is an emphasis on refining grammar and language aptitude. The students write multiple paragraph essays and compositions, with special emphasis placed on the five-paragraph essay where attention to matters of substance, organization and correctness are highlighted. The course provides a comprehensive study of World Literature as it has been expressed in novels, short stories, essays, poems and drama from the Shakespearean era to the present. Plot, characterization, theme, setting, irony, symbolism and analogy will be understood through reading comprehension and literary analysis. For incoming 9th graders, Academic Advisors use middle school grades, entrance test scores, teacher recommendation, and admissions essay for placement into this course.

Prerequisite: For incoming 9th graders, Academic Advisors use middle school grades, entrance test scores, teacher recommendation, and admissions essay for placement into this course.

In this course, we focus on strengthening students’ close reading and writing skills through discussion, analysis, and frequent writing assignments. Students read a wide variety of literary genres, including memoir, poetry, short fiction, a Shakespearean comedy, and a classical Greek drama. Students will learn how to write various types of essays. Throughout the year, we work on refining grammar and language aptitude and critical analysis skills.

In this course, we focus on strengthening students’ close reading and writing skills through discussion, analysis, and frequent writing assignments. Students read a wide variety of literary genres, including poetry, short fiction, a nineteenth-century novel, a Shakespearean comedy, and a classical Greek drama. Students will learn how to write various types of essays, including an annotated bibliography. Throughout the year, we work on critical analysis skills in preparation for AP English III and college readiness.

Prerequisite: To be eligible for placement into Honors English II, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 88 or higher in Honors English 1 or must average a 93 or higher in English 1. This average includes all four quarters as well the semester exams and final grades for both semesters.
2. The student’s current English teacher will determine the quality of the student’s participation in her current English class. Students scoring an A or B on the English department participation rubric will be eligible for Honors English II. Students scoring below a B will not be eligible for Honors, regardless of overall course grade.

Students study movements within American Literature. Students explore the literary movements that molded and transformed the American literary landscape. Each movement is examined in historical perspective and a wide variety of examples are examined. The course focuses on the novels, plays, and poetry that have shaped the American literary canon. Students write in a variety of styles to improve their composition and research skills progressively throughout the course.

AP English III is a college-level course in which students study rhetoric and composition along with American literature. This blending of fiction and non-fiction includes works from the 17th through the 21st centuries and encompasses speeches, essays, articles, novels, short stories, poetry, and plays. The student explores the relationship between the writer’s purpose and the rhetorical devices utilized to convey meaning. In addition to close reading, students write in a variety of rhetorical modes and practice AP Exam strategies. Sitting for the AP Exam is a course requirement.

Prerequisite: To be eligible for placement into AP English III, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 88 or higher in Honors English II or must average a 93 or higher in English II. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
2. The student’s current English teacher will determine the quality of the student’s participation in her current English class. Students scoring an A or B on the English department participation rubric will be eligible for AP English. Students scoring below a B will not be eligible for AP, regardless of overall course grade.

In English IV, students study movements within British Literature. Students explore the literary movements that molded and transformed the British literary landscape. Each movement is examined in historical perspective, and a wide variety of examples are examined. The course focuses on the novels, plays, and poetry that have shaped the British literary canon. Students write in a variety of styles to improve their composition and research skills progressively throughout the course.

AP English IV is a college- level course in which students study novels, plays, and poetry from American, British, and world authors ranging from Elizabethan drama to the 21st century. Through close reading and critical analysis, students explore the methods authors use to convey meaning and aesthetics. As reading, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as various other elements such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Sitting for the AP Exam is a course requirement.

Prerequisite: To be eligible for placement into AP English IV, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The final grade must average an 88 or higher in AP English III or must average a 93 or higher in English III. This average includes the final grades for both semesters.
2. The student’s current English teacher will determine the quality of the student’s participation in her current English class. Students scoring an A or B on the English department participation rubric will be eligible for AP English. Students scoring below a B will not be eligible for AP, regardless of overall course grade.

This course is an elective intended as a survey of Creative Writing. Areas emphasized include (1) poetry (2) fiction (3) playwriting (4) creative nonfiction. Creative Writing I, a rigorous composition course, asks high school students to demonstrate their skill in such forms of writing as personal essays, short stories, poetry, and drama. The student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes to develop versatility as a writer. The student compiles a portfolio of personal work, representative of many styles of writing or a larger body of one genre. The student learns the process of editing, rewriting, and revision. The student's evaluation of her own writing as well as the writing of others ensures that students completing this course are able to analyze and discuss published and unpublished pieces of writing, develop and apply criteria for effective writing, and set their own goals as writers.

Prerequisite: Sophomore must be concurrently enrolled in or successfully completed English II.

The Publications class is a year-long elective course designed for the student interested in journalistic writing, graphic design, and photography. This class assists in the production of the Margil (yearbook). Students must design layouts, shoot and edit photos, write articles and other copy, conduct interviews, sell advertisements, and edit work. All of this is done under tight publisher deadlines. Students learn to prioritize, organize, create, and work as a team, all while improving their communication skills. The Publications course may require students to attend some events on weekends and evenings.

This is a course for students who want to read compelling literature that focuses on the experiences of girls and women. Students will examine novels, short stories and poetry that express female voices from various cultures and social backgrounds. The course examines the historical context of the literature; to this end, students will read some non-fiction essays and excerpts of longer critical work. Course work includes reading, discussion, creative projects, and writing exercises, including critical analysis essays.