Upper School English
In Upper School English classes, students discover their voices and learn to listen.
Literature invites them to hear new perspectives. Writing challenges engage their rhetorical and artistic skills. Discussion groups and formal presentations encourage collaboration and build confidence.
The English department sharpens each student's critical awareness. Students learn to recognize linguistic structures and possibilities, and the elements of literary genres. Analysis of textual detail enriches the rhetorical quality of thinking, writing, and speaking. Haverford's English courses expand student's literary knowledge and instill habits and skills of lifelong value.
All Haverford students are required to be enrolled in a year-long English course every year. Each level of English class is populated by students in that form only (i.e. all third formers take English I). In the spring semester of their sixth form year, students select one from an array of electives to complete their English requirement. Below you will find descriptions of the advanced (denoted by an *) and standard course offerings.
Core Courses
English IV: Spring Seminars
In the spring, English IV becomes a seminar style topic-centered class based on the college model, in which students assume more responsibility for class discussion and presentation. The department gives students the opportunity to indicate preference of seminars, but sections are formed in the fall at the discretion of the department and depend upon staffing and class-size limits. Recent offerings include:
Awards and Highlights
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
2021 Regional Gold Keys (6), Silver Keys (9), Honorable Mentions (16)
The Index
(student newspaper)
2020 gold medal, 2019 and 2018 silver medal, 2013 gold medal, Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Pegasus
(literary magazine)
2021 Crown Award (gold), 2017, 2016, 2015 gold medal, 2018, 2014 and 2013 silver medal, Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Pennsylvania Scholastic Press Association
2018 gold rating
Pennsylvania Press Club High School Journalism Contest
First place (6), second place (3), third place (6), and honorable mention (3)
Edward R. Hallowell Literary Lecture
A nationally-known author comes to campus for a lecture and class time with students