English

The English department is committed to Mercy High School 's mission of educating young women to “confront contemporary issues and events, to examine them critically, and to respond to them from the base of clearly defined values” (Mission Statement). The department promotes a program which supports mutual respect and individual responsibility (Philosophy Statement) and because the Mercy philosophy states that “everything changes as it grows from the past into the future…the development of each person depends on the ability to change,” the department is resolved that each graduate will be able to analyze and reflect upon the abundant, often contradictory information of our media-rich culture in order to respond to changing events as a responsible global citizen.

The basic skills of listening, reading, public speaking, and writing ground the English curriculum. The student studies works, both classical and contemporary, print and digital, from world, English, and American literatures and cultures, as well as the products of their own creation. She learns how meaning is made through language choices and how to make her own choices effectively for the intended audience. She responds to these works and their inherent themes individually and as part of our learning community.

Designed to respond to the learning needs of students, the English curriculum will be evaluated constantly and revised based on assessment data. The content and skills addressed by courses in this curriculum are aligned with 21st century skills as identified by the English Department and appropriate NCTE standards to meet the language needs of women in the modern world.