English

The BHS English Department serves all BHS students. Full year courses are offered at two levels of difficulty in all grades; seniors may also choose unleveled courses.

All students must take English throughout their four years at Brookline High School, accumulating a total of four full credits (in proper sequence) to graduate. Students should read course descriptions carefully and attend to teacher recommendations to determine which level of difficulty -- standard, honors, or non-leveled -- suits their needs. Honors level courses require more reading than standard level courses, and texts are often more difficult. Teachers in honors level courses also assume more independence on the part of students, whereas teachers in standard level courses often break assignments down in order to give students more structure and support.

Senior year, the department offers several non-leveled electives which seek interested students across the academic spectrum. Students at all levels write at least twelve drafted papers a year. Students who choose the most challenging English courses will find themselves prepared for Advanced Placement examinations at the end of their junior or senior years.

Make-up credit for English courses may be obtained by doubling courses the following year or by completing courses in summer school. Seniors wishing to graduate early must complete two full semesters of Senior English and the Senior Paper before leaving school and have the written consent of the English Department Curriculum Coordinator by September 15th of their senior year. Correspondence credit is not granted. Failure to meet the Senior Paper requirement precludes graduation, and the student must take an appropriate summer school course to complete the Senior Paper.