Programs in the Writers Academy
Writing is central to all education. As a Humanities school, Townsend Harris has always prioritized writing by having freshmen take an extra English course focused on composition. By senior year, all students write at the college level in Queens College courses, and present researched scholarly analysis as their culminating humanities experience. Outside of class, our publications have earned wide and varied recognition for their more than three decades of excellence in showcasing outstanding student writing.
The Writers Academy is our way of bringing this commitment to the next level. Over the course of the next five years, we plan to launch sequences in major fields that heavily involve writing. All Townsend Harris students will have an opportunity to join these sequences, electing to "major" in them during their time at THHS. Students who elect to join these special programs will have access to courses, professional opportunities, and significant extracurricular positions. They will also earn an honors distinction at commencement. We intend for Townsend Harris to be the premiere institution in the city when it comes to writing instruction. Simply put, if you want to be a journalist, a novelist, a screenwriter, a researcher, and more, our goal is to make Townsend Harris the place that launches you on that lifelong path.
Programs in journalism, creative writing, and theater writing have now launched, with more programs to follow in upcoming school years. Read more about them below or watch this overview video.
