U.S. History (Part I) examines the events, people, and movements that shaped American history through the end of the Civil War. This course highlights Native American life, European exploration of the New World, events surrounding the American Revolution, the Constitution, westward expansion, and the causes and events of the Civil War. Students will develop skills in critical thinking, primary source analysis, research, communication, and historical writing. Students will participate in a variety of projects and assessments, including at least four locally-developed performance assessments.

U.S. History (Part II) examines the events, people, and movements that shaped American history from the end of the Civil War to the present day. Students will explore the political, social, and economic events such as Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, Industrialization, Imperialism, the Great Depression, the World Wars, the Civil Rights movement, the Cold War, and many others. Students will develop skills in critical thinking, primary source analysis, collaborative projects, research, and digital media presentations. Students will participate in a variety of projects and assessments, including at least four locally-developed performance assessments.

Civics and Economics explores America’s democratic system of government and its correlating capitalist economic system. A large portion of the course examines the three branches of government at the national, state and local level. This provides an excellent framework for exploring the role that individual citizens play at each level of government. The second half of the course examines the American economic system in the United States, including the relationship between citizens, businesses, and the government within the economy. Students will develop skills in analysis, critical thinking, and collaboration, as well as the desire to become active and engaged citizens. Students will participate in a variety of projects and assessments, including the Civics and Economics SOL test.