The overall goal of the English program at St. Francis is effective communication, reached through close examination of literature and regular practice in written and verbal communication. The core of this four-year program is literature, on which every facet is based. Students analyze works, relying on shared inquiry methods for discussions and formal writing assignments. Writing assignments (both formal and creative), verbal skills (in both discussions and presentations) and vocabulary skills all stem from the literature studied. Grammar is taught in the context of the writing assignments. The classes contain a wide variety of genres, styles and periods of literature in order to help students develop an appreciation for the subject.