Early Graduation

A Message About Early Graduation

from the English Department

    Students are required to pass four years of English for graduation. Our English program is designed as a four-year progression in which each year builds on the previous year’s literary concepts and reading and writing skills. In each grade and at every level, our core English classes emphasize reading, analytical and expository writing, critical thinking, and participation in literary discussion. We believe strongly in our four-year English Department program and in the benefits to students of being citizens in an established learning community where they are known as individuals. We encourage students who are considering early graduation to begin planning early and to make mindful decisions about how to fulfill their English requirements. While it is possible for students on the path to early graduation to earn English credit for outside courses, there are no outside courses that will serve as exact substitutes for the WHS English classroom.

Graduating at the End of Junior Year

    Students who wish to graduate at the end of their junior year may fulfill their English requirements if space allows by taking junior English and senior English concurrently. In order for the English Department Head to have an accurate and timely count of course requests, students must elect junior English and senior English by the course registration deadline (April 1) of their sophomore year. Requests made after the April 1 deadline may be denied.

     If a student applies late, or if space does not permit the student to double enroll in English, a student may still graduate at the end of junior year by taking two semester-long English courses approved in advance by the English Department Head.

Graduating in January of Senior Year

    Students who wish to graduate in January of their senior year must successfully complete semester 1 of senior English at WHS. To earn credit for second semester, students should take one semester-long English course approved in advance by the English Department Head. This course may be taken in the summer between junior and senior years or concurrent with semester 1 of senior year.

Choosing Courses for Approval

    The Greater Boston area offers a wealth of opportunities to study literature and many institutions nationwide offer rigorous online courses. Courses that will be approved will:

• require students to read and to write analytically about literature, including full-length novels

• complement (rather than review) WHS core literature curriculum

• challenge the student

• require students to participate in discussion (either face-to-face or online)

Senior Paper

Candidates for early graduation have to complete the senior paper, a requirement of Senior English at WHS.