The Chatham High School English Department develops critical and creative thinkers who read closely, write precisely, collaborate effectively, reflect purposefully, and solve problems ethically. In their English classes, students learn the subtleties of language use and grow increasingly comfortable with ambiguity as they construct meaning from print, online, and visual texts. They also understand the importance of literature and language to their everyday lives and find personal connections to the texts that enhance their understanding of themselves and the world. When students come to see literature as a window to truth and language as a means for confronting the world, they realize that the study of English helps them make informed decisions about their lives and positive contributions to the global society.The English faculty is committed to maintaining these high expectations for all students through the use of assessments that challenge students to develop these higher-level thinking skills in contexts that will prepare them for life after graduation.