Secondary Instruction:
English Language Arts

Middle school reinforces and enhances reading comprehension, through the study of non-fictional and fictional short stories, poetry, and novels; writing, through the development of personal narratives, expository essays, and poetry; and speaking, through oral presentations and small-group work. Instruction addresses test-taking strategies, vocabulary development, grammar, usage, mechanics, and revision. In grades 6, 7, and 8, students must demonstrate proficiency on the New York State English Language Arts Assessment.

High school provides increasingly advanced instruction and experiences. Students refine their writing strategies, perform literary research, explore various genres of literature, and prepare for the rigorous expectations of college English programs. Students are required to pass an English Language Arts Regents in order to graduate from high school. Most students complete that requirement by the end of grade 11. Students in eleventh- and twelfth-grade may take college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses or college-preparatory English electives.