English

For the 2025-2026 school year,

• 9th graders will take English I or Honors English I.

• 10th graders will take English II or Honors English II.

• 11th graders will take either AP Language and Composition, or a semester of English 3: American Experience plus a junior-senior elective of their choosing. 

• 12th graders will take either AP Literature and Composition, or a semester of English 4: Human Experience plus a junior-senior elective of their choosing.

NB: The Admissions Office places incoming freshmen in Honors English I, and the English Department places sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Honors and AP courses based on student achievement in the previous course(s).

ENGLISH I         REQUIRED-FULL YEAR

English I is built on the study of Brophy’s five  graduate  @ graduation themes in a literary context. The course stresses mastery of the communication fundamentals:  composition, reading, grammar, syntax and vocabulary.  Students become acquainted with a variety of nuances in language styles through their reading and discussion, and begin a systematic approach to writing as response. Students learn to understand and appreciate literature as an expression of the human imagination and condition; in turn, they begin to develop their own creative and analytical communication styles.  Students cover basic composition and essay writing.  The course also encompasses an intensive review throughout the year.

HONORS ENGLISH I         FULL YEAR (admitted via score on Brophy Entrance Exam)

This course is designed for students who have a special talent for and appreciation of writing and literature.  Honors English 1 is Built on the study of Brophy’s five  graduate  @ graduation themes in a literary context. The course stresses mastery of the communication fundamentals:  composition, reading, grammar, syntax and vocabulary.  THE CURRICULUM DIFFERS FROM REGULAR ENGLISH 1 WITH THE EXPECTATION OF DEEPER COMPREHENSION/RETENTION OF BOTH DETAIL AND THEME IN READING, AND IN THE EXPECTATION OF HIGHER QUALITY EVIDENCE AND ANALYSIS IN ESSAYS. Students become acquainted with a variety of nuances in language styles through their reading and discussion, and begin a systematic approach to writing as response. Students learn to understand and appreciate literature as an expression of the human imagination and condition; in turn, they begin to develop their own creative and analytical communication styles.  Students cover basic composition and essay writing.  The course also encompasses an intensive review throughout the year.

ENGLISH II        FULL YEAR

English II builds on the Grad@Grad principles inherent in the freshman literature course and recasts them in a thematic context.  Additionally, the course is framed around the life and lessons observed through St. Ignatius’ life. Students engage in literary analysis, active reading, and writing to reflect on universal questions and contemporary issues. Major projects include the Poetry Out Loud portfolio and performance, where students select, research, analyze, and perform a meaningful poem, and the Sophomore Research Project (SRP), which combines research and ethical action by proposing not-for-profit solutions inspired by Ignatian values. These projects, along with rigorous grammar and writing instruction, develop students' critical thinking, creativity, and ability to “Set the World on Fire.”

HONORS ENGLISH II       BY RECOMMENDATION-FULL YEAR

Honors English II  also builds on the Grad@Grad principles inherent in the freshman literature course and recasts them in a thematic context.  Additionally, the course is framed around the life and lessons observed through St. Ignatius’ life. Students engage in literary analysis, active reading, and writing to reflect on universal questions and contemporary issues. Major projects include the Poetry Out Loud portfolio and performance, where students select, research, analyze, and perform a meaningful poem, and the Sophomore Research Project (SRP), which combines research and ethical action by proposing not-for-profit solutions inspired by Ignatian values. These projects, along with rigorous grammar and writing instruction, develop students' critical thinking, creativity, and ability to “Set the World on Fire.” This course also involves a rigorous review of grammatical and mechanical principles essential to academic writing. Honors sections include more sophisticated and mature reading selections, more complex writing prompts, and additional components in the Sophomore Research Project.

ENGLISH III: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE       REQUIRED-ONE SEMESTER FOR NON-AP JUNIORS

As its title suggests, this course will examine how American literature, art, and film broadly reflect the “American Experience” through a wide range of historical, cultural, and social contexts and perspectives. The course is arranged thematically rather than by historical literary periods in order to facilitate a deeper perspective of the American Experience and the variety of ways it might be considered. Potential themes examined in the course include the relationship between immigrants and natives, acts of American rebellion, the pursuit of freedom and justice, coming of age, and the amendments and defining moments of the American dream. The curriculum encourages discourse and critical thinking as students examine these topics and demonstrate learning through a variety of assessments, research, presentations, writing, and digital products. 

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION          BY RECOMMENDATION-FULL YEAR

Prerequisite: To be considered for this class, students must apply for the department's recommendation.

This class emphasizes the critical analysis of various fiction and non-fiction texts, the understanding and execution of argumentation, and provides a deeper understanding of culture and context. Through frequent timed writing assignments, students hone their skills in thesis development, evidence-based reasoning, and stylistic precision. Designed to prepare students for the AP exam—which includes a multiple-choice section and three timed essays (argument, rhetorical analysis, and synthesis)—the course equips students with the ability to critically read, analyze, and craft persuasive arguments. These skills not only prepare them for academic success but also enable them to better recognize and apply rhetorical strategies in their everyday lives.

ENGLISH IV: HUMAN EXPERIENCE         REQUIRED ONE-SEMESTER FOR NON-AP SENIORS

The Human Experience is a one-semester course that explores connective elements of the human life.  By examining multiple genres of writing across culture, time period, gender, race, identity, and social position, the course seeks to, as the poet Maya Angelou has written, “note the obvious differences in each sort and type” while affirming that as human persons, “we are more alike...than we are unalike.” Students will witness how various writers treat the stages of human experience--childhood, adolescence, and adulthood--and will come to understand that there are elements of the human experience universal to all people regardless of who they are, where they live, or when they live. By exploring biological, sociological, developmental, and societal lenses by which people experience life and using literature and various texts students experience a wide range of perspectives to their ever evolving lives. 

AP ENGLISH  LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION         BY RECOMMENDATION-FULL YEAR

Prerequisite: To be considered for this course, students must apply for the department's recommendation .

Students in the AP English course are required to demonstrate excellence in literature, composition and discussion. Those meeting the requirements of the AP exam receive college credit and/or placement. AP  English focuses on literature and composition. This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of various works of literature–novels, drama and poetry. Through reading, composition and discussion, students become involved in a deeper understanding and appreciation of literary genres and styles.

AP ENGLISH: RESEARCH (Automatic Entry for all students who have taken AP Seminar already) -FULL YEAR  (FOR 12th GRADERS ONLY--CAN COUNT AS ELECTIVE OR REPLACE AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION)

Prerequisite:  To be considered for this course, you must have completed AP Seminar with a B or above.

AP English: Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question.

In the AP English: Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.

JUNIOR-SENIOR ONE-SEMESTER ELECTIVES OPPOSITE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE OR HUMAN EXPERIENCE:

ENGLISH: CREATIVE WRITING         ONE SEMESTER

This course introduces the student to elements and techniques of creative writing in a variety of genres; teaches terminology and concepts needed for successful participation in writing workshops; facilitates writing practice and evaluation; offers individual guidance on the student’s development as a writer; culminates in the creation of a portfolio showcasing the student’s writing process.

ENGLISH: THE SHORT STORIES OF ERNEST HEMINGWAY        ONE SEMESTER

The objective of this class is to enhance your awareness of the short story through Ernest Hemingway’s eyes. This course will include close readings and Harkness discussions of several Hemingway short stories (from all three of his collections) including: “After the Storm,” “Indian Camp,” “Cat in the Rain,” “The Killers,” “The Battler,” and “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.” We will also read, and discuss, his fables “The Faithful Bull” and “The Good Lion.” Students will become familiar with Hemingway’s art of “omission” through his iceberg theory of writing. It is also important that we study his life and how he incorporated real-life events in his short stories. Students will have a chance to emulate Hemingway’s stories through in-class assignments.

ENGLISH: SURVEY OF HORROR LITERATURE     ONE SEMESTER

St. Ignatius created the Spiritual Exercises as a full examination of the self, including close reflection on the darkness and fear inside each of us. The Survey of Horror Fiction class will pursue that greater understanding of the turbulent side of human nature with a deep, multi-media dive into novel, short story, poetry, film, graphic novel, and nonfiction accounts as well.

ENGLISH: SCIENCE FICTION AND COMPUTER CONSCIOUSNESS      ONE SEMESTER

What happens when computers gain consciousness? Have you ever watched a futuristic film and wondered if it could actually take place? Could that robot from that television show actually take over the world? Has humanity gone too far with technological advancements? The course will observe the rise of the machine in modern fiction, film, and television. It will take a close look at how writers portray Artificial Intelligence and humanity's relationship with them. It will ponder the ethical and philosophical implications of creating conscious computers capable of limitless advancements ironically birthed in the human brain.  Students will write reflective papers on sci-fi they read and watch.  In addition, students will be asked to write creatively to show mastery of the sci-fi genre. The course will culminate in a research-based position paper and a classroom debate.

ENGLISH: GRAPHIC LITERATURE IN THE MULTIMODAL AGE ONE SEMESTER

This class will explore the medium of comics (e.g., comic books, graphic novels, etc.) and related media. Sometimes called graphica or sequential art, the medium of comics is one of the oldest forms of storytelling finding its origins in cave paintings, in hieroglyphics, and in tapestries. Historically, the medium has been marginalized and demonized with critics suggesting the medium lacks literary merit (Maher, 2018; Nesmith et al., 2011) and can cause teen readers to become juvenile delinquents (Wertham, 1954; Yan 2003). Despite this criticism, comics have become one of the most popular pop culture mediums with more than forty-two million Americans self-identifying as comic book or graphic novel readers (Schenker, 2014). Today, comics are on the cutting edge, embracing the digital age by bridging the gap between analog and multimedia in the form of motion books and motion comics, as well as foregrounding the narratives diverse peoples and experiences.

Equal parts English Language Arts, History, and Art, this class will examine the history of comics and sequential art, the visual grammar that readers use to make meaning with these texts, and the processes that creators use to design and publish works in an ever-changing literary landscape. Students will read and discuss iconic works, meet comics scholars and creators, and create their own comic books. Core assignments include producing episodes for a comics-oriented podcast and presenting an in-depth analysis of visual and narrative structures for a self-selected comic or graphic novel to the class.