The Montgomery Blair English Department is the largest high school department in the state of Maryland. The English Department strives hard to meet the needs of each of the 3000 students who comprise Blair's exceptionally diverse population. Though this task is extremely challenging, the Blair English Department boasts teachers who are among the most professional, scholarly, and dedicated in their field. Some students may take ESOL courses in place of some or all of their English graduation requirements. Students experience texts of different genres and forms related to each theme and complete mandatory common tasks.
Common tasks focus primarily on the writing process but also develop other language skills.
Instruction in reading and writing strategies, grammar and vocabulary is integrated into every unit. This course is linked to a companion Social Studies course, and interdisciplinary connections are made throughout. Grade 10 students have been journeying all their lives. Some students actually have traveled far from their homes of birth to a new land and culture. Others are in the midst of a journey, daily conquering physical, mental, or emotioanl challenges.