The St. John the Baptist English Department prides itself on helping all students develop their research and literacy skills throughout their high school career to help them thrive in all of their post-secondary endeavors. In alignment with the Next Generation ELA standards, students are exposed to a wide range of complex texts to help them become better readers, writers, and thinkers. Areas of instruction also include fundamentals of composition, vocabulary, and written mechanics. Students are also asked, on every level, to participate in research projects and assignments that will expand their academic horizons and provide a solid foundation for all areas of college academic success. All students are required to take four full years of English, and have ample opportunities to pepper their schedule with essential electives. Through our various AP and college extension courses, students also have the opportunity to earn college credit every year they are enrolled at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School.

Through the College Board, SJBDHS sponsors an opportunity for students to distinguish their diploma with a two-year completion of the AP Capstone Program which develops students' skills in research and analysis.  For academically qualifying students, this program may be started in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.  In the first course,  AP Seminar, students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources to develop credible and valid evidenced-based arguments. In the second course, AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research in order to produce and defend a scholarly academic thesis.   Both courses are assessed on the standards set forth by the College Board. 

College Advancement Program

Our students have the opportunity to earn 15 college credits through our St. John´s University and Molloy University College Extension Program. In conjunction with St. John´s University, we offer 11th Grade Honors - American Literature, 12th Grade Honors - British Literature, and 12th Grade Honors - First Year Writing. Recently, we have joined with Molloy University to offer Molloy University Public Speaking and Molloy University Creative Writing.  

Full Curricular Offerings

• English 9 Foundations/English 9/English 9 Honors

• English 10 Foundations/English 10/English 10 Honors

• English 11 Foundations/English 11

• English 12

• Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition

• Advanced Placement Language and Composition

• Advanced Placement Research - Advanced Placement Captsone Program

• Advanced Placement Seminar - Advanced Placement Captsone Program

• St. John´s University English 12 Honors - British Literature (3 SJU Credits)

• St. John´s University English 12 Honors - First Year Writing (3 SJU Credits)

• St. John´s University English 11 Honors - American Literature (3 SJU Credits)

• Molloy University Public Speaking (3 Molloy Credits)

• Molloy University Creative Writing (3 Molloy Credits)

• Literature of Crime and Mystery

• Word Power/Test Prep

• Film Study

• Sports Media