English
At Emma, English courses ask students to grapple with big questions: What does it mean to be a member of a diverse community? What kind of person do I want to develop into? How does the representation of groups of people in books and films affect how I understand them?
Our students read and analyze works of literature ranging from Sophocles’ Antigone to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Books from the traditional canon of Western civilization are juxtaposed with works representing the experience of other cultures. In addition to extensive work in vocabulary, grammar, and expository writing, students learn to craft personal and creative pieces. The English Department provides the groundwork for university study in writing and literature and develops students’ skills as language artists.
Download our course catalog for more details and graduation requirements.
We celebrated the publication of this year’s Triangle literary and art magazine. Congrats to all the writers, artists, and editors on a great issue!
Early in the spring semester at Emma Willard School, students had the opportunity to participate in a class with one of the Capital Region’s esteemed poets: D. Colin, who read and spoke to students during last year’s Poetry Month celebrations, worked with four students over the course of several weeks to help them craft their voices and to employ poetry for social change.
Keya M. ’26 was the author of one of a few Letters to the Editor recently published on the New York Times site in response to their article on revising classic novels for today’s readers. Keya’s thoughtful response is the third letter listed. Congrats, Keya!
For the first time since 2019, Emma Willard School was excited to welcome Shakespeare & Company back to campus for an on-stage performance and workshop. As part of their Northeast Regional Tour of Romeo and Juliet, the company of seven actors each played multiple roles to stage the familiar tragedy with high energy and a touch of humor.
Caroline Boyajian is an English instructor and the junior class dean at Emma Willard School. Ms. Boyajian joined the Emma community in 2019 after moving from the Bronx, N.Y., where she taught middle and high school English at Riverdale Country School. We asked her four questions about her time here.
English Faculty

Caroline Boyajian

Bethany Loffredo-Dempsey
