Social Studies
Social Studies Course Descriptions
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Grade 9
This course follows a thematic approach which enables students to explore how physical and human geography intersect in today’s global society. Students will use various methods of research to uncover how culture, migration, global diffusion, and human-environment interaction have collectively shaped daily life around the world.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY $
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Score of 5 points or more on the Honors rubric
This course is designed for the high-achieving and/or Gifted student and will explore how humans have understood, used, and changed the surface of Earth. They will use the tools and thinking processes of geographers to examine patterns of human population, migration, and land use. Students will learn to connect geographic concepts to real-life scenarios, see patterns and trends in data and in visual sources, understand information shown in maps, tables, and charts, and understand spatial relationships using geographic scales. All students will be required to take the AP Test in the Spring. Fees are associated with this course. Possible college credit earned if 3 or higher scored on AP test.
GOVERNMENT*
Grade 10
This course is the study of the rights, duties, and privileges of citizenship in American society with a focus on the structure and function of federal, state, and local government. Students will study the following topics: Foundations of American Government; Government Structures, Powers, Functions, and Interactions; Political, Social, and Economic Interactions; the role of the American citizen; Elections and Politics; and Economics and Personal Finance. All students will take the LEAP 2025 test in this subject.
GOVERNMENT (HONORS)*
Grade 10
Prerequisite: Score of 5 points or more on the Honors rubric
This course is designed for the high-achieving and/or Gifted student with a high reading ability and writing skills which will support a deeper understanding of content at an accelerated pace. Honors courses feature deeper exploration of subject matter, complex analysis, independent research, critical thinking, and active participation in discussions, fostering a deeper understanding through challenging assignments and projects. All students will take the LEAP 2025 test in this subject.
U.S. HISTORY*
Grade 11
This is a survey course that examines American History from the writing of the Declaration of Independence, through the transformative 19th century, and into our modern times. Students will analyze primary sources to study each time period and master an understanding of the social, political, and economical factors that have shaped our nation’s history. All students will take the LEAP 2025 Assessment in this subject.
U.S. HISTORY (HONORS)*
Grade 11
Prerequisite: Score of 5 points or more on the Honors rubric
This course is designed for the high-achieving and/or Gifted student with a high reading ability and writing skills which will support a deeper understanding of content at an accelerated pace. Honors courses feature deeper exploration of subject matter, complex analysis, independent research, critical thinking, and active participation in discussions, fostering a deeper understanding through challenging assignments and projects. All students will take the LEAP 2025 test in this subject.
WORLD HISTORY
Grades 11 and 12
This survey course is a chronological study of Renaissance and Modern World History. Using a multidisciplinary approach, World History is a balanced program that examines the world through a variety of perspectives. The first semester examines Renaissance through European Imperialism. The second semester evaluates the world from WWI to modern history. The student will receive a broad overview of events around the world that helped develop today’s contemporary global society.
WORLD HISTORY (HONORS)
Grade 12
Prerequisite: Score of 5 points or more on the Honors Rubric
This course is designed for the high-achieving and/or Gifted student with a high reading ability and writing skills which will support a deeper understanding of content at an accelerated pace. Honors courses feature deeper exploration of subject matter, complex analysis, independent research, critical thinking, and active participation in discussions, fostering a deeper understanding through challenging assignments and projects.