English Department - Mission in Action

In 9th grade English, a Genre Study, the students focus on the foundations of analytical reading and writing, while simultaneously familiarizing themselves with a variety of rhetorical modes and literary genres. Students will also be introduced to increasingly complex vocabulary and challenging grammatical concepts.  In Introduction to World Classics, our 10th grade curriculum expands on these skills as students trace the development of literature since antiquity. Particular attention is paid to the development of sophisticated writing skills with a focused awareness of purpose and audience.

Juniors and seniors have the option of choosing from our Integrated program – which connects learning from English with learning from History and Jewish Studies – and our seminar system, which links together English classes by topic, focus and genre. Emphasis resides in the mastery of critical reading and writing skills, control of the mechanics of the English language, expansion of vocabulary, and evolution in syntactical complexity. The overall writing spine throughout these Upper Division classes incorporates the multiple rhetorical modes – narration through complex argumentation and persuasion.