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At Royalmont Academy, literature is a gateway to both academic mastery and spiritual formation. Each high school student reads through a carefully curated curriculum that reflects the Catholic intellectual tradition, connects with eternal truths, and equips them to lead lives of purpose.

Our high school literature program is structured into four rotating courses: American Literature, British Literature, Contemporary Literature, and Classical Literature. Each course connects closely with the Regnum Christi English Language Arts benchmarks and contributes to the student’s growth in intellect, virtue, and faith.

What Makes Regnum Christi’s Curriculum Unique?

As a Regnum Christi (RC) school, Royalmont Academy follows a holistic model of Integral Formation—educating students across four dimensions:

• Intellectual – Strengthening logic, expression, and critical thinking

• Human – Cultivating virtue, empathy, and personal responsibility

• Spiritual – Encouraging reflection, prayer, and theological insight

• Apostolic – Forming students as Christian leaders in service to others

All English courses meet or exceed national and Regnum Christi curriculum benchmarks from Grades 9–12, emphasizing deep reading, meaningful discussion, analytical writing, and real-world application.

📘 American Literature

Themes: Sin, Grace, Spiritual Reality, and Moral Courage

This course emphasizes the soul of America through powerful texts that confront justice, religious freedom, moral tension, and spiritual legacy.

Featured Titles & Catholic Themes

• The Scarlet Letter – No sin goes unpunished

• Joan of Arc (Twain) – Faithfulness to the end

• Death Comes for the Archbishop – Holy friendship

• Our Town – Reality as both material and spiritual

• The Crucible – Superstition and moral hysteria

Tied Benchmarks

• RDG.1 & RDG.2: Analyze cultural, historical, and religious elements of text

• WRT.1 & WRT.2: Compose literary analysis and persuasive essays

• SPK.2: Collaborate respectfully in class discussions

• VW.1: Analyze symbolic and visual storytelling

Students connect early American literature to eternal truths—exploring how faith, courage, and community shaped a nation and still shape lives today.

📙 Contemporary Literature

Themes: Truth, Suffering, Grace, and the Human Condition

Modern works help students confront today’s cultural challenges through a Catholic lens, forming their ability to discern truth and uphold human dignity.

Featured Titles & Catholic Themes

• Lord of the Flies – Order and chaos

• Fahrenheit 451 – Truth and perspectives

• Diary of a Country Priest – All is grace

• Crime and Punishment – What is true greatness?

• One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich – The dignity of man

Tied Benchmarks

• RDG.3: Participate in meaningful, text-based discussions

• WRT.3: Research and argue from a faith-informed worldview

• VW.2 & VW.3: Connect texts with media and performance interpretation

• RP.2 & RP.3: Express ideas through varied formats, including multimedia

Students wrestle with darkness and light, freedom and responsibility—learning how truth, grace, and resilience speak powerfully into modern life.

📗 Classical Literature

Themes: Truth, Eternity, Philosophy, and Divine Love

Through epic stories, ancient tragedies, and timeless theological poetry, students encounter the moral questions that define the human journey.

Featured Titles & Catholic Themes

• Homer’s Odyssey – Man’s pilgrimage on Earth

• Oedipus Rex – Fate vs Free Will

• Plato’s Euthyphro – What is piety?

• Dante’s Divine Comedy (excerpts)

  • Inferno – Hell as an expression of God’s love

  • Purgatorio – Purgatory as healing

  • Paradiso – Heaven as communion in God’s love

Tied Benchmarks

• RDG.2 & RDG.3: Analyze texts through moral, cultural, and theological lenses

• WRT.1: Compose analytical essays rooted in philosophical thought

• SPK.3 & VW.1: Synthesize themes into discussion and visual interpretation

These texts elevate students’ thinking and help them examine their place in God’s story—calling them toward virtue, wisdom, and heaven.

📕 British Literature

Themes: Virtue, Redemption, Grace, and Moral Complexity

British authors offer brilliant reflections on justice, mercy, virtue, and redemption—forming students’ capacity to reason ethically and lead with empathy.

Featured Titles & Catholic Themes

• Macbeth – The wages of sin is death

• The Merchant of Venice – Justice and mercy

• Pride and Prejudice – Virtue and vice

• A Tale of Two Cities – Resurrection

• Brideshead Revisited – The operation of divine grace

Tied Benchmarks

• RDG.1 & RDG.2: Examine literary movements, style, and spiritual meaning

• WRT.2: Develop writing voice through layered arguments and reflective prose

• SPK.1 & SPK.2: Present ideas with clarity and respond to diverse perspectives

• VW.3: Connect literature to drama and visual representations

These works help students develop critical thinking and a deep sense of human dignity rooted in both suffering and redemption.

Literature as Integral Formation

A Catholic Curriculum with Academic Rigor

Royalmont’s curriculum is not just spiritually rich—it’s academically excellent. Our courses are mapped to the RC Education benchmarks for English Language Arts (Grades 9–12), ensuring:

• Progressive growth in reading comprehension, analysis, and writing

• Mastery of research and rhetorical skills

• Confidence in public speaking and collaboration

• Deep engagement with classic and modern texts through a Catholic lens

Our students leave not only ready for college—but ready to bring light to the world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child be prepared for college English?
Yes. Royalmont students are regularly praised for their writing, literary analysis, and oral communication skills in college settings.

Do students struggle with the content?
Our teachers provide support, structure, and personal guidance. Every student grows at their pace—and none journey alone.

Ready to Learn More?

Explore more about what makes Royalmont Academy’s high school experience unique:

• The Benefits of Small Class Sizes: Why Personalized Education at Royalmont Academy Makes a Difference
  
  Discover how our intentionally small high school classes allow for meaningful student-teacher relationships, individualized support, and deeper learning.
• Why Choose a Regnum Christi High School? Formation, Faith, and Academic Excellence
  
  Learn how our Regnum Christi identity shapes everything from curriculum to culture—developing strong Christian leaders.
• High School at Royalmont Academy: Big Impact, Tight-Knit Community
  
  See how Royalmont’s high school provides a rigorous, faith-based education while offering students a tight-knit, supportive community.
• How We Form Leaders at Royalmont Academy
  
  Explore our unique leadership curriculum, focused on service, virtue, and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
• What to Expect from Our Hybrid High School Schedule
  
  See how our flexible high school schedule supports deeper learning, project work, and student success.