English Language Arts & Reading in Middle and High School

The English Language Arts and Reading Department is committed to providing meaningful learning experiences that will empower students to thrive in the 21st century to enhance their lives and our community; we inspire all students to become responsible world citizens by pursuing excellence through life-long learning.

Our purpose is to support teachers by providing a data-driven comprehensive scope and sequence, professional development opportunities, and effective feedback to ensure the highest quality of instruction.

Program Overview

The English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) curriculum in middle and high school develops essential skills in reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking, preparing students for academic success and effective communication. Each grade level builds on prior knowledge, progressing from foundational skills in middle school to more complex, analytical abilities in high school.

• Reading and Literary Analysis: Students explore a variety of genres across both middle and high school, including novels, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. Middle school focuses on foundational comprehension, identifying main ideas, making inferences, and recognizing themes and character development. In high school, students engage with more complex texts, analyzing tone, symbolism, and how authors develop arguments and themes. Across all levels, students learn to interpret figurative language, understand the author’s purpose, and connect texts to broader themes.
• Writing and Composition: ELAR students develop skills in writing across genres, from narratives and descriptive essays in middle school to advanced, thesis-driven analytical essays in high school. Middle school emphasizes structuring coherent paragraphs, supporting ideas with evidence, and mastering grammar and sentence structure. High school builds on these skills with a focus on persuasive, research-based, and argumentative writing, helping students develop logical arguments, incorporate reliable sources, and refine syntax and style.
• Vocabulary and Language Development: Vocabulary instruction in ELAR spans middle and high school, enhancing students' language skills and comprehension. Middle school students build vocabulary through context clues, root words, and word analysis, while high school expands to include academic and domain-specific language. High school students also learn to enhance their diction, using vocabulary purposefully to express ideas clearly and effectively.
• Listening, Speaking, and Presentation Skills: Both middle and high school ELAR emphasize effective communication, from participating in group discussions to formal presentations. Middle school students practice listening to others, sharing ideas clearly, and engaging in constructive dialogue. In high school, these skills expand to include structured debates, persuasive speaking, and presentations that require students to analyze, articulate, and defend complex ideas with confidence.
• Research and Media Literacy: Research skills are introduced in middle school, where students learn to gather information, evaluate source credibility, and present findings. By high school, students undertake in-depth research projects, synthesizing information from multiple sources, citing accurately, and evaluating sources for bias and reliability. Media literacy in high school also includes understanding the influence of digital media, recognizing bias, and critically assessing information from diverse platforms.

Courses - Middle School Level (Grades 6-8)

• English Language Arts and Reading 6: Focuses on building reading comprehension, narrative writing, vocabulary expansion, and basic literary analysis. Emphasis on grammar, punctuation, and composition.
• English Language Arts and Reading 7: Expands on writing skills, with a focus on organization and development of ideas in essays. More advanced reading comprehension and literary analysis, along with research skills and vocabulary development.
• English Language Arts and Reading 8: Includes further analysis of literature and informational texts, as well as the development of argumentation and persuasive writing. Students begin to write research papers and analyze texts more critically.
• Reading 6: This course focuses on building foundational reading skills through a variety of texts. Students will work on comprehension, vocabulary, and identifying key ideas while analyzing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. They will also practice making inferences and using evidence to support responses.
• Reading 7: In this class, students expand their reading comprehension by analyzing complex texts. They will focus on themes, character development, and literary elements, while strengthening vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Students will also connect texts to real-world issues and practice writing responses supported by evidence.
• Reading 8: Reading 8 builds on students' skills in analyzing advanced texts, focusing on literary themes, author’s purpose, and text structure. Students will practice writing responses that support their understanding and refine vocabulary and fluency, preparing them for high school-level reading.
• Journalism: This course introduces students to news writing and media. Students will learn how to write news reports, features, and opinion pieces, focusing on accuracy, media ethics, and interviewing skills. They may also work on creating school publications or managing digital content.
• Creative Writing: Creative Writing encourages students to explore different genres like poetry, short stories, and personal narratives. They will develop characters, settings, and plots while practicing writing techniques and revision, building a portfolio of original work.
• ECAR: ECAR helps students improve reading and writing skills to prepare for the PSAT. It focuses on enhancing comprehension, vocabulary, and writing through various texts, aiming to build the skills needed for success on the test.

Courses - High School Level (Grades 9-12)

• English 1: Freshman-level course that introduces students to literary analysis, creative writing, and research skills. Students focus on reading and analyzing novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. Emphasis on writing skills, particularly narrative and expository essays.
• Pre/AP English 1: This course prepares students for advanced English coursework by focusing on reading, writing, and critical thinking. Students analyze a variety of texts, including literature and nonfiction, and develop skills in argumentative writing, literary analysis, and vocabulary.
• English 2: Sophomore-level course that builds upon the skills learned in English 1. Students focus on more advanced literary analysis, argumentative writing, and research-based essays. Greater focus on reading nonfiction and analyzing rhetorical strategies.
• Pre/AP English 2: Building on Pre/AP English 1, this course deepens students’ reading, writing, and analytical skills. Students explore complex texts, focusing on themes, structure, and style, while refining their ability to write analytical essays and strengthen their argumentation and vocabulary.
• English 3: Junior-level course that typically focuses on American literature, including both classic and contemporary works. Students write analytical and research papers, with an emphasis on critical thinking, synthesis of ideas, and persuasive writing.
• English 4: Senior-level course that focuses on British and world literature. Emphasis is placed on reading, analyzing, and writing about literature, as well as refining argumentative, analytical, and synthesis-based writing skills.
• Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition: A college-level course designed for students to analyze and write about literature at an advanced level, culminating in the AP exam.
• Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition: Focuses on the development of argumentation, rhetoric, and composition skills, with an emphasis on non-fiction texts and persuasive writing.
• Reading: Courses designed to support students who are struggling with reading comprehension and literacy. These may be offered as electives or in addition to core English courses.
• Creative Writing: Focuses on developing students’ skills in writing short stories, poetry, and other creative forms of expression.
• Practical Writing: This course teaches students how to write clear, effective texts for real-world situations, like emails, resumes, and persuasive essays.
• Research/Technical Writing: Students learn to write clear, well-researched technical documents, such as reports and manuals, with an emphasis on organization and clarity.