The English Department has created a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Each year, students read works of both fiction and nonfiction and write argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative essays. The goal of the English department is to develop reading and writing skills in our students that will help them to become both career and college ready. We encourage students to think critically and communicate effectively. In the 2015/2016 school year, the department began offering Advanced Placement Literature and Composition as a course for 12th grade students. For the 2016/2017 school year, we plan to also offer Advanced Placement Language and Composition to our 11^th grade students. Students who take either of these courses have the potential to earn three college credits per course before they have left Davies. The English Department is also running an after school Writing Center to assist students in writing for all of their subject areas.