9

English 9 examines how literature reveals humans’ attempts to make sense of themselves and their surroundings through the Ancient/Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance/Reformation periods. Key ideas include: the relationship with the divine, concept of virtue/the heroic ideal, individual versus community, search for the promised land/utopia, search for identity, human possibilities versus human limitations, unity versus fragmentation, ascent versus descent, and conceptions of truth.

Writing instruction emphasizes both imaginative thinking and clear, persuasive expression.  Students practice generating a thesis, organizing logical patterns of thought, phrasing sentences effectively, revising, and editing.

10

English 10 continues English 9, further examining how literature reveals humans’ attempts to make sense of themselves and their surroundings through the Enlightenment/Colonial/Imperial/ Neo-classical, Romantic, Industrial, and Modern periods. Key ideas include: the relationship with the divine, concept of virtue/the heroic ideal, individual versus community, search for the promised land/utopia, search for identity, human possibilities versus human limitations, unity versus fragmentation, ascent versus descent, and conceptions of truth. exploring

Students write critical and creative pieces. Grammar, usage, and style are all part of the writing instruction. Revision is an integral process. Sophomores begin an intensive two-year vocabulary program. 

11

A junior takes an in-depth English course each trimester: one in Tragedy, one in Poetry, and one in The Nature and Uses of Language.  Juniors continue to work on vocabulary development. Thorough writing instruction occurs, with students expected to demonstrate proficiency in standard written English.

12

A senior must take an English course each trimester. A student may take the year long AP literature course, which focuses on the experience, interpretation, and evaluation of literature. The other option is Senior Rhetoric and trimester electives. Rhetoric provides experience in reading, analyzing, and writing non-fiction prose, primarily the essay. Sample electives include:

Current Fiction; Shakespeare; Short Fiction; Comedy; Literature of the Southwest; Religions of the World; The Concord Experience; Gothic Literature; East Asian Literature; Epic Heroes, Quests, and Conquests; Chaucer; and others.