English/Communication & Theatre

Departmental Philosophy

In our English and Communication & Theatre classes, we strive to spark and nurture in our students their talents in reading, writing, the dramatic arts, and public speaking. Building upon four key skills – analytical reading, analytical writing, creative expression and performance, and public speaking – we encourage our students’ critical thinking and creativity in exploring complex and diverse classic and contemporary texts, a variety of writing styles, and a wide range of experiences in drama. In all, we hope to create an environment where students develop a lasting appreciation of the literary and dramatic arts as they craft their own voices and vision as writers, performers, and speakers.

English Offerings

Required and elective courses: All students at Hunter College High School take full-year required English courses in grades 7-11. Juniors may also opt for an elective course in addition to their full-year English class. Seniors may opt for one-semester or full-year English courses. For more information on the curriculum for required and elective courses, click here.

Journalism program: A new initiative in journalism, sponsored by alumna Mildred Speiser ’61, is enabling students in grades 9 and 10 to learn about journalism ethics and practice the skills of journalism. For more information about the journalism program offerings, click here.

Visiting writer series: Thanks to generous grants by alumnae/i, we host visiting writers and scholars to meet with our students.

Extracurricular publications and clubs: A wide range of student publications and other literary clubs, including Argus, The Desk, and Tapestry, are advised by faculty members and supported financially by our Parents Association.

Communication & Theatre Offerings

Required and elective courses: All students at Hunter College High School take a full-year of Communication and Theatre in 7th grade and a half-year in 8th grade. Ninth through twelfth graders are eligible for our unique Theatre Practicum elective, in which they experience in greater depth the art of directing, producing, staging, designing, and acting in one-act plays. Additional electives are available for juniors and seniors. For more information on the curriculum for required and elective courses, click here.

Mainstage productions: Each year we stage a minimum of four mainstage productions, two of which are faculty-directed, and two of which are student-directed and faculty-advised:

The fall features a Shakespeare or classic play, directed by a faculty member.
In the winter, a student-directed, student-choreographed, student-conducted, and student-vocal-directed musical is staged under the mentorship of faculty advisors.
In the spring, students in grades 7-9 perform in a faculty-directed play.
Also in the spring, we stage a playwriting festival entitled “Brick Prison,” featuring student-written works which are also student-directed and student-produced, under the guidance of faculty advisors.

Many seventh graders and elective students also take part in mainstage productions of one-act plays as part of their coursework.

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Hunter College Campus Schools
71 East 94th Street
New York, NY 10128
Elementary School: 212-860-1292
High School: 212-860-1267