Overview
Writing and Critical Thinking (W&CT) represents a three-year curriculum focused on providing students with the instruction that will help them develop effective writing skills in preparation for college. The program was created in 2006 to address consistent feedback regarding students’ struggles with writing. Now in its seventh year, W&CT is an integral part of Minds Matter programming.
For Sophomores
The Sophomore W&CT Program encourages students to develop basic writing and critical thinking skills such as expanding their vocabulary, understanding essay structure, and producing written works that represent their thoughts on a myriad of topics.
For Juniors
Juniors have the opportunity to polish their skills by building on the work done in the Sophomore W&CT Program by developing more advanced personal narratives and practicing their analytical skills on current issues. Students continue to craft and refine their personal statements for summer programs. Exposure to and discussion of short-form autobiographical works by writers like Maya Angelou help students think about different and creative ways in which they can tell their own stories.
For Seniors
In the Senior Program, a targeted Writing and Critical Thinking curriculum focuses on improving college essays and scholarship applications.