THE TRENTON, MICHIGAN, PHASE-ELECTIVE ENGLISH CURRICULUM, APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH (APEX), WAS DESIGNED FOR A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 2000. STUDENTS ARE PLACED ACCORDING TO ABILITY IN AN UNGRADED CURRICULUM INCORPORATING FIVE ABILITY LEVELS (PHASES) AND ARE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE FROM AMONG APPROXIMATELY 30 COURSES. THIS REPORT DISCUSSES (1) THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE APEX PROJECT, (2) THE ADVANTAGES TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF SUCH A PROGRAM, (3) THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PHASE-ELECTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE SCHOOL LIBRARY, SCHOOL COUNSELOR, ADMINISTRATION, AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND (4) THE NINTH-GRADE CURRICULUM WHICH MIGHT PRECEDE A PHASE-ELECTIVE PROGRAM. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS AND SEMESTER OUTLINES ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH COURSE IN THE APEX CURRICULUM, INCLUDING READING LISTS, AND SUGGESTED TEACHING APPROACHES AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES OF VALUE TO THE COMMITTEE WHICH DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED THE PROGRAM IS ALSO FURNISHED. (DL)