Welcome to the Medfield High School English Department!

The aim of the English department is to improve students' awareness of the importance of language and literature in their lives and to stress competence in the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The English program emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, the effective communication of ideas, both oral and written, and the comprehension of literary works. Literary and media works, selected for excellence in content and style, are intended to promote aesthetic appreciation, critical evaluation skills, and humanistic attitudes.

Department Objectives

1. Students will read, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and respond to written material.

2. Students will read and respond to various genres of significant literature.

3. Students will write as a means of developing fluency and as a tool for learning.

4. Students will speak effectively in formal and informal situations to communicate ideas and information.

5. Students will listen critically and analytically.

6. Students will develop critical thinking skills through the study of language and literature.

Course Selection

In order to fulfill our objectives, the English Department believes a program of both required and elective courses is best suited to the needs of the students at Medfield High School. The English Department recommends that a student take the maximum number of literature and skill-building courses that his/her schedule will allow. At the minimum, a student is required to pass English 9 as a freshman, World Literature as a sophomore, and American Literature as a junior. All seniors are required to pass two semesters of English Literature.

Students may also choose additional courses from the elective course offerings described in the following pages. Enrollment in any course requires prior departmental recommendation based on a student's ability, achievement, creativity, writing, self-motivation, level of language arts and reading skills development, and ability to work independently. A student must pass eight semesters of English in his/her four years of high school. To fulfill Medfield High School graduation requirements a reading course may be taken in lieu of an English elective course but not as a substitute for a required English course. Summer reading from an approved book list is suggested for all students.

Please use the "Program of Studies" link to learn more about individual course offerings.