English Department
Department Philosophy
The Serra High School English Department is dedicated to fostering the intellectual, spiritual, social and emotional growth of each student. Recognizing that meaningful learning extends beyond the mastery of content, our program emphasizes analytical reading, critical thinking, and effective written and oral communication. These include direct instruction, structured discussion, collaborative learning and sustained, process-based writing to support diverse learners and challenge students at every level.
Students are challenged to connect their own experiences with those of their peers, teachers and the authors they study, and to express these insights through writing that ranges from reflective journals to structured paragraphs and multi-draft analytical essays. Through this disciplined and collaborative process, students move beyond passive learning and emerge as independent thinkers who can observe, question, interpret and evaluate texts within a supportive classroom community.
English Courses
- English 1–2
- Honors English 1–2
- English 3–4
- Honors English 3–4
- Junior English
- Senior Literature and Composition
- Honors Senior Literature and Composition – Dystopian Literature
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP English Literature and Composition
- Publications 1 or Publications 2, elective
- Freelance Newspaper Reporting, elective
- Independent Study in English, elective
- English TA, elective
- Creative Writing, elective
Initial Placement
Incoming freshmen are initially placed in English 1-2 or Honors English 1-2 by the Assistant Principal: Academics, based on the student’s HSPT test scores, middle school grades and teacher recommendations.
Honors and AP Courses
Following freshman year, students who meet established criteria outlined in the Serra Course Catalog are eligible to enroll in honors and AP courses, which include:
- Honors English 3–4
- Honors Senior Literature – Dystopian Literature
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Literature and Composition
Student Opportunities
Students deepen their interest in reading and writing beyond the classroom through diverse co-curricular experiences.
Creative Writing Club: Develop original poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction in a supportive, workshop-based environment that emphasizes peer feedback and revision.
Great Books Program: Engage in thoughtful reading and discussion of classic and contemporary texts while strengthening analytical reading and critical thinking skills.
The Serra Friar (School Newspaper): Gain hands-on experience in journalism, collaboration and publication while amplifying student voices across campus.
Speech and Debate Club: Sharpen reading comprehension, research, writing, critical thinking and persuasive speaking skills while building confidence in articulating ideas clearly and effectively.
National English Honor Society: Recognizes academic excellence in English and offers opportunities for leadership, service and scholarly engagement.
