English Department | Literature & Writing Curriculum at Milton Academy

A young woman with long dark hair is intently reading a book while seated at a desk, with another person visible in the background.

ACADEMICS

The Harkness Table:
A Timeless Tradition for Discussions

English classes at Milton take place around the Harkness table, a hallmark of our department. In these discussion-based settings, students are active participants in the interpretation of texts and in dialogue with one another. There are no lectures—just open, inclusive conversations guided by expert teachers who are passionate about both literature and helping students grow as thinkers and communicators.

English Curriculum: Building Core Skills, Exploring Bold Ideas

English in Class IV: A Foundation of Writing
English in Class III–I: Exploration and Expression

English in Class IV: A Foundation of Writing

From the first day of Class IV, students embark on a writing-intensive experience that lays the foundation for every course to come. This ninth-grade year is often described as a “bootcamp of writing,” where students focus closely on grammar, structure, and clarity. Throughout the year, students learn to craft thoughtful, precise, and persuasive prose. A unique initiative of Milton’s English Department is learning to identify and correct “megablunders,” grammar and usage errors that muddle language—Milton graduates carry this core skill well beyond graduation, helping them to communicate clearly and effectively. This early emphasis on writing builds confidence and competence that supports success in every academic discipline.

English in Class III–I: Exploration and Expression

As students progress through the program, they engage in an ever-widening exploration of literature and language. Milton’s English curriculum is known for its breadth and depth, culminating in an impressive selection of more than a dozen different senior electives, each one offering students a chance to delve into specific genres, authors, or thematic questions. Whether analyzing the intersections of literature and social justice, diving deep into Shakespeare’s works, or experimenting with creative nonfiction, students are encouraged to pursue their passions and challenge their perspectives.

Signature Texts & Authors

The Epic of Gilgamesh
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

English Beyond the Classroom

Award-Winning Writing Opportunities

Each year, Milton writers are recognized for exceptional achievement in their work. In the past, students have earned national acclaim from the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, the Bennington College Young Writers Award, the Smith College Prize, the Kenyon College Prize, the Princeton University Prize, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest, and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Bingham Visiting Writer

The Bingham Endowment Fund for Creative Writing brings prominent authors to campus to read their work and spend time with Upper School writing students. Writers visit creative writing classes and provide feedback on student work—an incredible opportunity for young writers to workshop with the highest-caliber poets and prose writers. Recent Bingham writers include Pulitzer Finalists Dorianne Laux and Rebecca Makkai, as well as Jamaica Kincaid, Lauren Groff, Paul Yoon, Kamila Shamsie, and Terrance Hayes.

Milton's Literary Legacy

Clubs and Student Publications

Magus Mabus—Milton’s literary and arts magazine, featuring fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and visual art, published twice annually
The Milton Measure—founded more than 130 years ago, the Measure is the school’s official newspaper, publishing every other week during the school year
The Milton Paper—Milton’s weekly independent newspaper
Book Club, which promotes an avid reading community in the Upper School
F-Word—Milton’s feminist publication
Poetry and Creative Writing Club, where writers gather to read and write poetry and other forms of creative writing

Our English Faculty

In intimate classrooms, students are led by deeply knowledgeable and caring faculty, passionate about the material and about sparking a love of literature in their students.