English
The Language Arts/English program at The Potomac School focuses on creating an understanding and appreciation of the richness and complexity of language through the integration of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
In all grades, students are exposed to and analyze quality literature and learn to communicate their ideas in a written and spoken form. We encourage reading both in and outside of the classroom and strive to create a community of proficient readers who engage with both fictional and expository material, thinking critically as they construct meaning and interpret a text. Understanding that writing is a process, the students build on the skills learned in the lower grades as they write for a variety of purposes and audiences. We invite each student to experiment with language to develop a unique voice and a passion for the written word. Oral language is developed in all grades, and we encourage the students to communicate effectively through speech, debate, and classroom conversations. As the students progress through the grades, they are exposed to content and skills that build on their prior knowledge and move them from concrete to abstract thinkers.
All students must earn a full credit in English each year in addition to fulfilling summer reading requirements. Grade 12 students choose from a wide array of in-depth, semester-long courses that resemble college electives.
To see how a student progresses through English over the four years, please click here.
A full-time Writing Center, staffed by English teachers and student tutors, enables students to seek assistance at any time with writing assignments from all disciplines.
Grades 9-11
- English 9 and English 9: Exposition and Literature
- English 10 and English 10: Exposition and Literature
- English 11
- Advanced Placement English (Grade 11): Literature and Composition
English 9 and English 9: Exposition and Literature
English 10 and English 10: Exposition and Literature
English 11
Advanced Placement English (Grade 11): Literature and Composition
Grade 12 Electives (fall semester)
- Ancient Greek Heroes
- DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE
- ETHICS: MAKING MORAL CHOICES
- Media and Literature
- MIND MATTERS
- Mystery and Detective Fiction
- Social Justice and Literature: Righting Wrongs through Writing
- SPEECH THAT MATTERS
- Advanced Humanities Seminar – Critiquing American Icons: 1960s Countercultures and Protests (Seniors only)
Ancient Greek Heroes
DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE
ETHICS: MAKING MORAL CHOICES
Media and Literature
MIND MATTERS
Mystery and Detective Fiction
Social Justice and Literature: Righting Wrongs through Writing
SPEECH THAT MATTERS
Advanced Humanities Seminar – Critiquing American Icons: 1960s Countercultures and Protests (Seniors only)
The courses above are also open to juniors (except where noted otherwise) who choose to take an elective in addition to their 11th grade English course.
Grade 12 Electives (spring semester)
- Adventure, Food, and Travel Literature
- Comedy and Satire: The World Laughs with You
- FILM AND LITERATURE
- FLIGHTS OF FANTASY
- MASCULINITY IN LITERATURE
- Writing Fiction
- Modern Women Writers
- Myth: Where the Ancient Meets the Modern
- Speech That Matters
- Women in British Literature
Adventure, Food, and Travel Literature
Comedy and Satire: The World Laughs with You
FILM AND LITERATURE
FLIGHTS OF FANTASY
MASCULINITY IN LITERATURE
Writing Fiction
Modern Women Writers
Myth: Where the Ancient Meets the Modern
Speech That Matters
Women in British Literature
The courses above are also open to juniors who choose to take an elective in addition to their 11th grade English course.