The English department provides a comprehensive program of studies in English language, writing, reading, and communications consistent with the Virginia Standards of Learning. The middle school program builds on students’ comprehension skills and supports students as they become critical readers and writers.

Our Mission

In English we want students to emerge from the classroom with the ability to:

• enjoy writing, reading, speaking, and listening 

• use language effectively to display knowledge, create meaning, challenge thinking, and build community in their lives 

• reflect on and evaluate their own language use 

• recognize and evaluate the ways in which others use language to affect them 

• value their own language, and accept and appreciate the language of others 

• know how to learn in any field with a lifelong appreciation of reading and writing skills 

• make and trust their own choices as independent learners

Goals for Our Students

Our major goal is to afford numerous opportunities for all of our students to express thoughts, to challenge ideas, to weigh values, and to grow as learners. 

We believe that students become informed, clear-thinking citizens by participating actively in all of our classes as readers, writers, viewers, speakers, and listeners. 

Our goal is to teach our students how to develop into articulate, literate young people, who: 

• believe learning is for life 

• become independent learners 

• contribute creatively and productively in our society 

• communicate effectively with others 

• understand the world in which they live 

• find their place in this complex, diverse world 

• know their differences are their strengths

Standard Homework

• read 20 minutes/day