English

The English Department works to help students develop critical thinking, written and oral communication skills, lifelong reading habits, creative abilities, and expertise in inquiry. All Townsend Harris students take two English courses in their freshman year, putting them on a path that culminates in a senior English class taken entirely at Queens College. In the fall of their senior year, students engage in a series of Socratic seminar discussions under the guidance of an English Department teacher and a Queens College professor; by the spring of their senior year, students present original literary research through a one-of-a-kind high school symposium held at Queens College. In between their freshman and senior years, students have a wide variety of choices in their coursework and are all eligible to take Advanced Placement English courses.

Townsend Harris is a humanities-centered school, and as such, the English Department is at the heart of the school's mission. In addition to offering advanced coursework, the department also offers students access to a unique program ("The Writers Academy") that focuses on the development of student authors.

Policies

Teachers calculate grades for all English courses (save for the Senior Seminar at Queens College) using the following Evaluation Criteria:

60% Assessments (Essays, Projects, Exams, Quizzes, Socratic Seminar Discussions)
20% Homework
20% Classwork & Participation

See below for grading policies related to each category.

The Writers Academy

The Writers Academy is a program run by the English Department that offers course sequences and extracurricular opportunities in major fields that heavily involve writing. All Townsend Harris students have an opportunity to join these sequences, electing to "major" in them during their time at THHS. Students who elect to join these special programs have access to courses, professional opportunities, and significant extracurricular positions. They will also earn an honors distinction at commencement and have access to related honors societies. The goal of the English Department is for Townsend Harris to be the premiere institution in the city when it comes to writing instruction. Simply put, if you want to be a journalist, a novelist, a screenwriter, a researcher, and more, Townsend Harris is the place to launch you on that lifelong path. Moreover, all professionals benefit from advanced writing abilities, and we believe that an educational foundation that embraces the written word will enhance all students' futures.

Programs in journalism, creative writing, and theater writing have now launched, with more programs to follow in upcoming school years. Read more about at the Academy at the link here.

Publications and Extracurriculars

The Classic: the student newspaper of Townsend Harris High School
The Phoenix: the student literary magazine of Townsend Harris High School
The Starling Press: the student publishing house of Townsend Harris High School
The Nightingale Theatre Company: the student theatre company of Townsend Harris High School
Clubs: Film Society (for student filmmakers) and On the Same Page (a book club)

The Reading Initiative

Our efforts to promote independent reading go well beyond offering time in classes for students to read. Reading for pleasure is and must be a crucial part of the culture at THHS.

Each year, we host a series of events that bring students together and engage them in exciting ways as readers. Events include all night reading challenges, book club trivia contests, trip opportunities, and a yearlong grade vs. grade competition.

Learn more here.