Freshmen students take English 1 or English 1 Honors.

A national score of 85% on HSPT reading is required for placement into honors. The main difference between the courses lies in pacing, independence, and depth of analysis. English 1H moves at a more accelerated pace with fewer practice opportunities before assessments, requires more independent reading (30-50 pages nightly vs. 20-30 pages in English 1), and expects students to develop original analytical arguments with minimal guidance. Both courses cover essential foundations in reading and writing, but 1H approaches literature more rigorously from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Placement Considerations for English 1 and 1 Honors

For both English 1 and English 1H students, the transition to high school English represents several shifts that can initially challenge freshmen. Some students experience frustration when moving from primarily in-class reading to managing independent reading schedules with objective comprehension quizzes. Additionally, the shift from effort-based to skills-based grading often surprises students who are accustomed to receiving grades primarily for completing work. In high school English, assignments are assessed on demonstrated mastery of specific skills rather than just completion. Writing expectations also increase substantially - while middle school may have emphasized personal reflection or creative expression, high school analytical writing requires evidence-based arguments and deeper textual analysis. Students sometimes struggle with this transition from sharing opinions to defending analytical claims with specific evidence.

To support this adjustment, both English 1 and 1H, provide practice opportunities that allow students to develop these skills before major assessments. One of the distinctions between 1 and 1H is the number of practice opportunities where 1H generally have fewer due to the accelerated nature of the course.

Students in English 1 and 1H are encouraged to view practice assignments as valuable learning opportunities and to seek teacher feedback during the learning process, such as during Collaboration, rather than waiting until after receiving grades on major assessments. Students who actively engage with practice assignments and request clarification early in the learning process typically have a smoother transition to high school English expectations.

Both English 1 and English 1 Honors provide essential foundations in reading and writing that prepare students for their remaining high school years. The analytical terminology and skills learned in either course will benefit students across all subject areas.

English 1H is designed to challenge students who feel willing to take an academic risk in pursuit of a more rigorous approach to literature, and as such students are expected to adjust to reading and writing at an advanced level from the start of the course. This adjustment takes time, and isn't necessarily an indicator of future success.

Students successful in English 1H are intellectually curious learners who can master new academic skills after just 1-2 practice opportunities. These students craft sophisticated analytical essays based on original arguments they independently develop.

Their exceptional reading and analytical capabilities enable them to voluntarily engage with complex texts and independently manage substantial reading assignments of 30-50 pages nightly. They excel at deep textual analysis, moving beyond plot summaries and reflections to critically examine themes and literary techniques.

These students efficiently incorporate teacher feedback, maintain strong organizational habits, and demonstrate precise grammatical skills. They approach challenging literary study as an opportunity for intellectual growth, viewing complex texts as pathways to deeper understanding of human experience.

Students in English 1H demonstrate the ability to independently manage long-term tasks. Examples in English 1H are: 

• Researching assigned grammar topics independently and delivering 3-5 minute presentations to classmates, complete with interactive practice sessions
• Reading The Odyssey outside of class while developing original analytical arguments about the text and composing multi-paragraph analyses

You should consider English 1H if.. 

• you enjoy and frequently read novels outside of class.
• you can independently read thirty to fifty pages of a novel per night.
• you read texts and can identify the central meaning or theme, not just the basic plot.
• you are interested in reading classical literature.
• you have a strong command of grammar and mechanics.
• you feel comfortable presenting in front of classmates.
• your writing strengths lie in analytical writing more than creative writing.
• you are prepared to write multi-paragraph literary analysis essays.
• you can write in-class paragraphs/essays within a given time period.
• you are adept at using teacher feedback on essays to improve your writing.
• you can apply and master new skills without the need for several practice opportunities.
• you have strong organizational skills and can track long-term assignments.

English 1 might be a better fit if..

• you prefer having more time to develop and practice new skills.
• you prefer additional guidance in developing arguments.
• you benefit from structured guidance in analytical writing.
• you want to build confidence in your presentation skills.
• you enjoy contemporary works of literature compared to classics.
• you can independently read twenty to thirty pages of a novel per night.
• you can track and complete daily assignments independently; however, for long term assignments, you benefit from teacher progress checks.