Skip to main content

Social Studies

Social Studies

A teacher leans over a student's desk, pointing at a laptop screen in a classroom.

Social Studies is the integrated study of history and social sciences that provides students with a foundation for understanding:

  • Political institutions and systems
  • Social and cultural perspectives
  • Geography and spatial relationships
  • Economic principles and systems
  • Civic engagement and global citizenship
  • Historical context and contemporary issues

Our Social Studies program aims to develop:

  • Critical thinking: Analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and forming informed judgments.
  • Problem-solving skills: Identifying issues, exploring solutions, and implementing strategies.
  • Effective communication: Expressing ideas clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
  • Global awareness: Understanding diverse cultures, perspectives, and challenges.
  • Civic responsibility: Participating actively in democratic processes and contributing to society.
    • Social Studies examines the human condition, focusing on interactions between individuals and their environments.
    • The program promotes integrity, responsibility, and ethical behavior.
    • Students engage in authentic learning experiences, developing essential literacy skills.
    • Meaningful and purposeful activities, both inside and outside the classroom, enhance learning.
    • Students learn to effectively gather, process, and communicate information using a variety of technologies.
    • Understanding diverse cultures fosters tolerance and acceptance.
    • Community involvement enriches the learning experience.
  • By the end of their K-12 education, students will be able to:

    1. Historical Understanding: Analyze historical events, trends, and figures to develop a comprehensive understanding of the past.
    2. Global Awareness: Explore global issues, cultures, and perspectives to become informed citizens of the world.
    3. Geographic Literacy: Understand spatial relationships, human-environment interactions, and the distribution of resources.
    4. Civic Engagement: Participate actively in civic life and contribute to the betterment of society.
    5. Economic Understanding: Analyze economic systems, decision-making, and the impact of economic choices.
    6. Cultural Diversity: Appreciate and respect diverse cultures and perspectives.
    • Early Exploration and Native American Cultures: Students will explore the voyages of early explorers and the diverse cultures of Native American tribes.
    • Geographic Understanding: Students will develop a basic understanding of geographic concepts, such as location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.
    • Economic Concepts: Students will learn about basic economic principles, such as scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost.
    • Early American History: Students will study the colonial period, the American Revolution, and the formation of the United States.
    • Historical Inquiry: Students will develop historical thinking skills, such as chronological thinking, historical causation, and historical context.
    • Civic Engagement: Students will explore the principles of American democracy and the role of citizens in a democratic society.
    • World Cultures: Students will study the history, geography, and cultures of various world civilizations, including ancient civilizations, medieval Europe, and Islamic civilizations.
    • Global Issues: Students will analyze global issues, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges.
    • Cultural Diversity: Students will appreciate the diversity of human cultures and the importance of cultural understanding.
    • American History: Students will study the 19th and early 20th centuries, including westward expansion, the Civil War, industrialization, and reform movements.
    • Historical Analysis: Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to develop critical thinking skills.
    • Civic Engagement: Students will explore the role of citizens in a democratic society and the importance of civic participation

Two young people sit closely in a large, plush armchair, engrossed in reading.