English
Welcome to the English Department
Empowering Voices. Exploring Worlds. Mastering Expression.
In the English Department, we believe that language is the ultimate tool for learning, thinking, and self-discovery. Under the leadership of Chairperson Megan Kuykendall, our curriculum is designed to transform students into critical thinkers, eloquent writers, and empathetic global citizens. Whether you are analyzing a Shakespearean tragedy, investigating the ethics of modern journalism, or drafting your first screenplay, you are here to find your voice.
📚 Core Academic Excellence
Our core progression takes you on a journey through the evolution of human thought and storytelling.
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Freshman Year: Foundations of Language – Dive into genres and story structures while building a professional toolkit that includes technical writing and résumé building.
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Sophomore Year: Critical Reflection – Move beyond the surface. Learn to identify bias, propaganda, and persuasive devices in both literature and public documents.
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Junior Year: The American Voice – Explore the literary canon of the United States, from the Puritan Era through the Civil War to the modern day, while mastering formal oral communication and parliamentary procedure.
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Senior Year: A Global Perspective – Defend your ideas and judgments as you study outstanding world writers, preparing you for the rigor of university-level research and rhetoric.
🎓 Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate (IB)
For students seeking an elite academic challenge, our Honors, AP, and IB tracks offer a "more challenging, not more copious" workload.
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AP Language & Composition: Focus on the power of rhetoric, philosophical debate, and multi-source synthesis.
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AP Literature & Composition: Engage with complex texts from Orwell to Tan, focusing on deep stylistic analysis and intensive preparation for national exams.
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Dual Credit Options: Earn college credits while in high school through our Introduction to Literature and Composition courses, specifically designed to give you a head start on your degree.
✍️ Specialized Electives: Find Your Niche
The English Department is about more than just textbooks; it’s about specialized skills that set you apart.
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Creative Writing: Manipulate language to convey feelings and visual images. Specialize in short stories in the fall or scripts and poetry in the spring.
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Ethnic Literature: Explore issues of identity and the contributions of multicultural authors, with a deep-dive focus on African-American literature.
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Etymology: Become a "word nerd." Uncover the Greek, Latin, and Germanic roots of the English language to supercharge your vocabulary and decoding skills.
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Speech: Master the art of the impromptu presentation and Aristotle’s three modes of proof to become a confident, persuasive public speaker.
📰 Student Publications & Media
Join the ranks of those who record our history. Our student publications provide practical, hands-on training in professional media.
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Journalism & Photojournalism: Learn the ethics of fair reporting and the art of visual storytelling using Adobe Photoshop and professional SLR cameras.
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Yearbook & Newspaper: Be part of the team that plans, markets, and distributes our school’s story. Master layout, design, and typography while building a portfolio of published work.
Ready to start your story?
Explore our courses and discover how the English Department can help you write your future. For more information, please contact Megan Kuykendall at 317-387-2600.