English Department

The English Department offers a strong coordinated program in reading and writing. In grades 9, 10, and 11, students work in a literature-intensive term and a writing-intensive term. Senior electives offer courses in writing, literary studies, language, and special topics.

The Department offers honors courses to freshman, sophomores, and juniors. Seniors who wish to do college work in high school may select Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition OR Expository Writing. Students are admitted to honors courses through teacher recommendation and parental approval.

Publication of student writing is encouraged through local and regional writing contests. Epitome magazine, our literary magazine, highlights student writing, art, and photography. Student editors take responsibility for selections, editing, layout, and design.

The English Department offers students the opportunity to contribute to the PHS Yearbook, The Clipper, with its yearbook elective and club. As of 2016, the PHS student newspaper has returned. This electronic publication can be found at PHSPaperClip.net. This reflects the work of journalism students in the journalism electives.

Computer labs and Chromebooks are available for writing instruction and student use.