Curriculum Detail

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Department

English

The English curriculum is designed to develop these skills:

reading with understanding and appreciation
writing with precision, clarity, and style
speaking with confidence and intelligence
listening with discrimination, insight, and compassion

Learning to read critically, conveying ideas through writing and speech, improving vocabulary, and sharpening study skills are vital elements of critical thinking woven throughout the six years of the English courses required of all students.

Writing throughout the English program emphasizes the writing process model and incorporates multiple drafts, peer-editing and revision, while encouraging use of the English center to consult with teachers on individual work. Many department members have participated in the Boston Writing Project at UMass-Boston (an affiliate of the National Writing Project), and/or the Bard College Writing and Thinking Institute, as well as completing numerous English programs of study. The integration of technology provides varied modes of instruction for writing and presentations in addition to more traditional models. Department members serve as faculty moderators for the school literary magazine, The Concordian, the speech and debate team, and The National Honor Society, as well as serving as coaches within the athletic department.

English 7

ENGLISH 7

Grade 7

#FX271

This course challenges students to grow as critical readers and writers, while emphasizing the mastery of verbal, study, and speaking skills. Our literature selections include major works, and will be supplemented with the study of poetry, short stories, and non-fiction. Students will be taught critical reading skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency strategies to meet the demands of more sophisticated reading in high school. Writing is a major component of the course. There will be a year-long focus on teaching students the writing process. Students will focus on building strong sentence and paragraph structures before writing multi-paragraph essays that emphasize organization, a thesis statement, and supporting details. Weekly grammar and vocabulary exercises will also be part of this course.
English 8

ENGLISH 8

Grade 8

#FX281

This course continues to challenge students to grow as critical readers and writers, while reinforcing verbal, study and speaking skills. Our literature selections include major works, and will be supplemented with the study of poetry, short stories, and non-fiction. Students will reinforce critical reading skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency strategies to meet the demands of sophisticated high school texts across departments. Texts are chosen and examined for their connection to four central themes: The Relationship Between the Individual and Community, Standing up to Injustice, The Power of Words, and Individual Responsibility. Writing is a major component of the course as students continue to develop within the writing process. Weekly vocabulary and grammar exercises are a part of the course as students move more towards incorporating the lessons into their own writing.
English 8 Advanced

ENGLISH 8 Advanced

Grade 8

#FX282

This course continues to challenge students to grow as critical readers and writers, while reinforcing verbal, study and speaking skills. Our literature selections include major works, and will be supplemented with the study of poetry, short stories, and nonfiction. Students will reinforce critical reading skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency strategies to meet the demands of sophisticated high school texts across departments. Texts are chosen and examined for their connection to four central themes: The Relationship Between the Individual and Community, Standing up to Injustice, The Power of Words, and Individual Responsibility. Writing is a major component of the course as students continue to develop within the writing process. Weekly vocabulary and grammar exercises are a part of the course as students move more towards incorporating the lessons into their own writing. In the advanced course students will be required to produce more insightful pieces of writing than English 8. Additionally, students will read more difficult texts in addition to the English 8 curriculum. The advanced English student will be highly motivated both inside and outside of the classroom, and will need to maintain an established level of success in order to enter grade 9 Honors.
English I-H

ENGLISH I
Grade 9
#211 Honors
Full Year

Prerequisites: Placement is based on entrance examination scores and middle school/junior high school grades.

Description: This course provides students with the academic tools necessary for the challenges of the total high school curriculum. Within the scope of a literature-based curriculum, attention focuses on WRITING SKILLS as students examine and study the inter-relatedness of grammar, sentence structure, paragraph styles, and the essay. READING SKILLS are addressed through introductory units on the short story, the novel, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. Students are also introduced to and practice STUDY SKILLS related to time management, note taking from lectures (LISTENING SKILLS) and texts, vocabulary development, and test taking. The introduction of library skills will open the door for later research work.
English I-A

ENGLISH I
Grade 9
#212 Accelerated
Full Year

Prerequisites: Placement is based on entrance examination scores and middle school/junior high school grades.

Description: This course provides students with the academic tools necessary for the challenges of the total high school curriculum. Within the scope of a literature-based curriculum, attention focuses on WRITING SKILLS as students examine and study the inter-relatedness of grammar, sentence structure, paragraph styles, and the essay. READING SKILLS are addressed through introductory units on the short story, the novel, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. Students are also introduced to and practice STUDY SKILLS related to time management, note taking from lectures (LISTENING SKILLS) and texts, vocabulary development, and test taking. The introduction of library skills will open the door for later research work.
English I-CP

ENGLISH I
Grade 9
#213 College Prep
Full Year

Prerequisites: Placement is based on entrance examination scores and middle school/junior high school grades.

Description: This course provides students with the academic tools necessary for the challenges of the total high school curriculum. Within the scope of a literature-based curriculum, attention focuses on WRITING SKILLS as students examine and study the inter-relatedness of grammar, sentence structure, paragraph styles, and the essay. READING SKILLS are addressed through introductory units on the short story, the novel, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. Students are also introduced to and practice STUDY SKILLS related to time management, note taking from lectures (LISTENING SKILLS) and texts, vocabulary development, and test taking. The introduction of library skills will open the door for later research work.
English II-H

ENGLISH II
Grade 10
#221 Honors
Full Year

Prerequisite: Final average of B- in English I-H and English teacher recommendation.

Description: This course examines the various genres of American literature: the short story, novel, poetry, drama, and non-fiction with a greater level of comprehension, a deeper analysis of the literature, and thematic units. Shifting to the fully developed essay, students will incorporate the mechanics of writing in periodic assignments stemming from class readings and discussion. Attention to the mechanics of grammar continues throughout the year.
English II-A

ENGLISH II
Grade 10
#222 Accelerated
Full Year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I-A and English teacher recommendation.

Description: This course examines the various genres of American literature: the short story, novel, poetry, drama, and non-fiction with a greater level of comprehension, a deeper analysis of the literature, and thematic units. Shifting to the fully developed essay, students will incorporate the mechanics of writing in periodic assignments stemming from class readings and discussion. Attention to the mechanics of grammar continues throughout the year.
English II-CP

ENGLISH II
Grade 10
#223 College Prep
Full Year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I-CP.

Description: This course examines the various genres of American literature: the short story, novel, poetry, drama, and non-fiction with a greater level of comprehension, a deeper analysis of the literature, and thematic units. Shifting to the fully developed essay, students will incorporate the mechanics of writing in periodic assignments stemming from class readings and discussion. Attention to the mechanics of grammar continues throughout the year.
AP English Language

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
Grade 11
#230 Advanced Placement
Full Year

Prerequisites: Final average of B+ in English II-Honors and English teacher recommendation.

Description: This course examines the major themes in British Literature through a chronological survey of literature including major periods of literary theory, specific British authors, and the various genres: essays, speeches, poetry, short fiction, a play and novels. In addition, the writing component includes expository, analytical and argumentative essays with emphasis on audience and purpose. The study and application of rhetorical modes, as well as analysis and synthesis of primary and secondary sources with proper citation are featured. This course is intended for the highly self-motivated student with demonstrated mastery of Honors level of writing. Students who successfully complete this course are prepared to take the AP English Language and Composition exam. All students who take this course are required to take the AP English Language and Composition exam.
English III-H

ENGLISH III
Grade 11
#231 Honors
Full Year

Prerequisites: Final average of B- in English II-H and English teacher recommendation.

Description: This course examines the major themes in British Literature through a chronological survey of the literature including major periods of literary theory, specific British authors, and the various genres: essays, speeches, poetry, short fiction, a play and novels. The course encourages skills for analytical reading and writing with guided discussion of the literature and emphasis on composition, clarity, and style. Vocabulary study continues with direction to the ACT and SAT tests.
English III-A

ENGLISH III
Grade 11
#232 Accelerated
Full Year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English II.

Description: This course examines the major themes in British Literature through a chronological survey of the literature including major periods of literary theory, specific British authors, and the various genres: essays, speeches, poetry, short fiction, a play and novels. The course encourages skills for analytical reading and writing with guided discussion of the literature and emphasis on composition, clarity, and style. Vocabulary study continues with direction to the ACT and SAT tests.
AP English Literature

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITON
Grade 12
#240 Advanced Placement
Full Year

Prerequisites: Final average of B+ in English III-H or recommendation of AP English Language and Composition teacher.

Description: This course designed for the highly self-motivated student with mastery of and interest in literature and writing will bring an eclectic approach to critical analysis in examining the epic, tragedy, comedy, the Gothic novel, experimental novel, traditional and contemporary poetry, and the formal and informal essay. Students who successfully complete this course are prepared to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam which may qualify them for up to two courses of college credit at many colleges. All students who take this course are required to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam.
English IV-H

ENGLISH IV
Grade 12
#241 Honors
Full Year

Prerequisites: Final average of B- in English III-Honors and English teacher recommendation.

Description: The story of English finds its development in the prose and poetry of World Literature.A study of World Literature of the past and present thus enhances the cultural literacy of the American student. This course examines selected major authors and works of the World tradition from Ancient times to the modern world. Through reading this prose, poetry, and drama, students in the course will also examine literary periods and movements. While the analytical essay is still the focus, time is spent on both research and creative modes of expression. (Please note: students who graduated prior to 2020 studied British Literature in English IV-H.)
English IV-A

ENGLISH IV
Grade 12
#242 Accelerated
Full Year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English III.

Description: This course will examine an array of literary "voices" both past and present from various areas of the world. A study of this multicultural literature confronts students with the philosophies, traditions, and attitudes of an international dimension. Reading the literature of traditional and non-traditional voices of experience will broaden the student's appreciation and understanding of the ever-changing modern world and the always widening global village. The connection between literature and the writing process continues to be a prime component.

Faculty

Lucien Brodeur '91

Emerson College - B.F.A.
Fordham University - M.A.T.

lbrodeur@xbhs.com

2003
Bio
Mr. Lucien Brodeur ’91 joined Xaverian in 2003. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Brodeur taught at the Edison Middle School in Brighton and I.S. 275 in New York City. He has a B.F.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and an M.A.T. in English 7-12 from Fordham University. Mr. Brodeur is co-moderator of student council.
Matthew Brennan

University of Massachusetts - Amherst - B.A.
University of Massachusetts - Boston - M.A.
Lesley University - M.F.A.

mbrennan@xbhs.com

1998
Bio
Mr. Matthew Brennan joined Xaverian in the 1998-1999 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Brennan taught English at UMass-Boston, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, and Brewster Academy. A graduate of UMass-Amherst, he has a Master of English Literature from UMass-Boston and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University. He is also the assistant coach of the varsity soccer team.
Sean Burke

St. Anselm College - B.A.
Southern Illinois University - M.A.

sburke@xbhs.com

2006
Bio
Mr. Sean Burke joined Xaverian in the 2006-2007 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Burke earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Anselm College and his master’s degree in English literature from Southern Illinois University. At SIU, Mr. Burke also worked as a graduate assistant for three years, teaching courses in English composition, technical writing, and British and American literature. Mr. Burke serves as co-advisor of Xaverian’s chapter of the National Honor Society.
Jacob Devereaux

Fitchburg State University - M.Ed.
Brandeis University - B.A.

jdevereaux@xbhs.com

2024
Bio
Mr. Jacob Devereaux will have a dual role as a social studies and English teacher this year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Devereaux taught at Our Lady's Academy in Waltham. He has a B.A. in both politics and history from Brandeis University and a Master of Education from Fitchburg State University. He is excited to be working alongside an amazing team of educators as well as returning to a Xaverian Brothers sponsored school for the first time since he graduated from Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury.
Mark Hevert

Northeastern University - B.A.
University of Colorado at Boulder - M.A.
Simmons College - M.A.T.

mhevert@xbhs.com

2017
Bio
Mr. Mark Hevert ’06 joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2017-2018 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Hevert taught at two campuses of the City on a Hill charter school district in Roxbury, where he also served as the music club advisor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Northeastern University, a master’s degree in English from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a master’s degree in teaching from Simmons College. Mr. Hevert teaches English and coaches the freshman soccer team at Xaverian.
Matthew Kelly

Boston College - B.A.
University of Massachusetts - Boston - M.A.

mkelly@xbhs.com

1999
Bio
Mr. Matthew Kelly joined Xaverian in the 1999-2000 school year. Mr. Kelly earned an undergraduate degree in English with a minor in secondary education from Boston College in 1999. In 2005, Mr. Kelly earned his master’s degree in English from UMass-Boston. In addition to teaching English, he is also the moderator of The Concordian, Xaverian's literary magazine. Mr. Kelly serves as co-advisor of Xaverian’s Rocco Zoppo Chapter of the National Honor Society.
Conor Maguire

Boston College - M.A.T.
Assumption College - B.A.

cmaguire@xbhs.com

1996
Bio
Mr. Conor Maguire, P ’22, ’24, joined Xaverian in the 1996-1997 school year. Prior to Xaverian, he spent six years in the Connecticut public schools. Mr. Maguire attended Bryant University, Assumption College, and Boston College. Mr. Maguire coaches soccer as well as indoor and outdoor track and field. He is Chairperson of the English department.
Joseph McGilvray

Assistant Principal for the Francis Xavier Division

Elon University - B.A.
Boston College - M.Ed.
Creighton University - Ed.D

jmcgilvray@xbhs.com

2003
Kristin Penta

English Teacher

Simmons College - M.A.T.
University of Massachusetts - B.A.

kpenta@xbhs.com

2021
Michael Plunkett

Pennsylvania State University - B.A.
Brooklyn College - M.A.

mplunkett@xbhs.com

2006
Bio
Mr. Michael Plunkett joined Xaverian in the 2006-2007 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Plunkett worked at Cardinal Hayes High School in the South Bronx. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State and a master’s degree from Brooklyn College. Mr. Plunkett coaches the speech and debate team.
Andrew Sgro

Boston College - M.Ed.
Boston College - B.A.

asgro@xbhs.com

2015
Bio
Mr. Andrew Sgro joined Xaverian in the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Sgro taught English at Needham High School, where he was also the student council advisor. He is a graduate of Boston College with a bachelor's degree in English and a master’s degree in English education. Mr. Sgro is the coach of the varsity volleyball team.

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Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.