The Upper School English Department aims for students to develop as readers, critical thinkers, writers, and speakers.  Our foundations courses, English III and English IV, ask students to read a wide range of literature in multiple genres - from western classics to contemporary multicultural works - and to write in a variety of modes - from literary analysis, to personal narrative, to poetry.  The elective program for juniors and seniors offers the unique opportunity to experience genre, theme, and period based courses that are as diverse as Immigrant Voices, Fiction Writing, Shakespeare, and the Literature of Baseball—the kinds of courses students are likely to encounter in college. Qualified students may enroll in up to two years of AP Literature courses. 

Since the Department recognizes the need for our students to think globally, elective courses typically include modern literature representing a spate of cultures as well as established works of the western literary canon.  We encourage our juniors and seniors to hone their skills in many forms of writing, some of which have been introduced in the ninth and tenth grades, and others that reflect the particular subject matter of the electives.  The Writing Center, staffed by juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves as superior writers, offers students at all levels individualized assistance on essays, short stories, and other pieces.  We expect all students to participate actively in our classes, whether asking and answering questions in discussion, leading discussions, making research presentations, or delivering short argumentative speeches on contemporary issues.