Central to the total program of studies at Fenwick, the English Curriculum is dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life through the core skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  These core skills are emphasized:

v  as students enrich their lives and increase their understanding of themselves and others through the study of literature.  Our literature selections portray themes discussing the universal condition of man with emphasis to contemporary application. Our teachers emphasize critical analyses as we challenge students to become discriminating readers.

v  as students enter the writing process, English teachers emphasize drafting, revising, and editing from short pieces to full-length essays. Studies in grammar and usage are integrated throughout the writing process as students learn to write effectively and confidently.

v  as students learn to critically evaluate the validity of information from print and non-print media in contemporary society.

v  as students remain open-minded to the opinions of others in order to formulate their individual ideas and then to communicate those ideas through confident and effective self-expression.

Department Strengths

• Preparation for the verbal sections of the PSAT-SAT and ACT is incorporated into instruction at all levels.
• All teachers in the department make themselves available before and after classes and often at lunch periods to help students achieve excellence in the classroom.
• Teachers continue to avail themselves of post-graduate courses and various workshops in order to stay current in the field.
• Multicultural and gender-diverse literature is a significant element in all levels of the English curriculum.

Department Publications

Three quality publications are composed by students with leadership from the English Department.

The Wick, student newspaper

Touchstone, student literary magazine

Blackfriars, student yearbook

Our goal is to provide a microcosm of the publishing world.  Students gain hands-on experience in design decisions, layout organization, copy editing, and final proofing using the latest in computer software.