“Writing at the Center”

For over twenty years, St. John’s Preparatory School has been a recognized leader in composition instruction. St. John's Prep has always recognized the relationship between thinking, learning, and the written word. Bringing students the very best in writing instruction has been a quest that has led to the school’s implementation of many innovative and research-based initiatives, such as Columbia University’s Writing Project, and Title IID Cyber English. These have proven to be solid avenues in initiating teachers into the writing process, but the St. John’s Prep faculty was ready for more. They possessed the inclination and the necessary experience to pursue some of the questions raised by their work in cyberspace. Enter St. John’s University.

In 2008 St. John’s University Writing Center and St. John’s Prep English Department forged a partnership where the university and high school communities collaborate to deepen learning and understanding. This much acclaimed service is offered to the Prep students who work with university personnel. The university's consultants offer advice and questions to spur self-reflection and critical thinking. They also work to model productive techniques for better planning, drafting, revising and editing. Prep students can access the service via email or through an on-line tutoring session. The University also hosts St. John’s Prep English classes for face to face writing conferences. Each of these services provides the Prep students with an extraordinary opportunity for the latest approaches to composition theory. Now, with the guidance of Christopher Leary and Thomas Philipose, assistant directors of the university’s writing center, the Prep is taking steps to build their own writing center.

Kathleen Prager, St. John’s Prep English Chairperson states, “This project truly represents state of the art language instruction. It is impacting students and teachers on so many levels. Ms. Prager continued” We are providing student such extensive opportunities to share, to get immediate feedback, to receive guidance on their works in progress as they struggle to craft words. Immersed in the writing process, our kids experience collaboration and immediate intervention. First hand, they see how technology influences learning and building communities. And all of this flows from the most current research-based practices. ”

Not only do the students benefit from this collaboration. St. John’s Prep English teachers do as well, for they are able to exchange ideas on composition theory with some of the leading thinkers in the field, such as Dr. Harry Denny and Dr. Derek Owens. The staff is thrilled with the opportunities afforded by the university, from workshops, to e-tutoring or the dialogues with the professors. Mrs. Flood, Academic Vice-Principal of St. John’s Prep notes how the faculty is very excited about the learning taking place. “The addition of our own center includes extensive training of our students to be consultants. They are being given tremendous opportunities to grow as writers, but the center also accomplishes a most fundamental and critical piece of a St. John’s Prep education, to be people of joyful service.”

Expressing oneself with clarity and fluency requires practice writing and frequent opportunities for supportive feedback. St. John’s Prep’s building of its very own writing center on the Crescent Street campus will insure its students many more opportunities for just that.