This 10th grade one semester course is required to graduate. The purpose of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of the American government and how it affects ones life. Throughout the course we will focus on how the people play an active role in government and the importance each citizen contributes to society.    Students will take part in current political issues and learn to exercise their power as citizens. This course specifically looks into the role citizens play in society, the rights citizens have, and how citizens have shaped our government throughout history. This course is taught by Ms. Maze.

This 11th grade full year course is required to graduate. The course uses a thematic approach to survey the people, events, ideas, and institutions important to the development of the United States. Special attention is given to political, social, and economic issues and their impact on the contemporary period, utilizing primary and secondary sources to investigate U.S. History. Topics studied include the American Character and Belief System, Immigration and Migration, War and Conflict, Economic Opportunity, Native Americans' Struggle for Autonomy, and Minorities' Struggle for Equality & Justice. Mrs. Penninger currently teaches most sections of this course with Ms. Maze teaching one section.

This 12th grade semester long course is required to graduate. This course covers several aspects of American Government. American Government will explore the origins of the American democratic system while looking at how the constitution embodies the values and purposes set up by the founding fathers. The structure and function of the government will be analyzed on a national, state, and local level while showing how each level is interrelated. Throughout the course we will focus on how the people play an active role in government and the importance each citizen contributes to society. This course is currently taught by Ms. Maze.

Geography is a a full-year, cross-disciplinary course designed to provide an accurate and complete view of the ever changing world of which we are all a part. The course emphasizes physical geography (e.g., climate, earth processes, etc.) and human geography (e.g., world cultures, economic development, etc.). Significance is placed on cultural understanding, map locations, critical thinking issues, proper usage of the internet in research, and problem solving skills. We engage in a variety of projects and interactive and cooperative activities in our learning. This course is currently taught by Mrs. Penninger.

The purpose of this year-long course is to use modern world history (approx. 1750-present) to understand present conflicts around the world. Students will learn to use methods of historical inquiry, debate, and historical sources to examine the major events and developments from each region of the world across multiple eras. The focus of this world history course will be on the 20^th century, though earlier time periods will be covered to provide background and context. We engage in a wide variety of projects, simulations, and interactive and cooperative activities in our learning. This full-year course is currently taught by Mr. Roberts.

Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History is a full year course designed and taught in accordance with the College Board’s framework in order to prepare students for the AP U.S. History Exam in May. It is designed to be the equivalent of two semesters of a college-level U.S. history survey course taught chronologically as well as thematically. The course includes a study of nine time periods beginning with the pre-Columbian era and continuing to modern times. An emphasis is placed on historiography (the writing of history) chronological reasoning, comparison and contextualization, making historical interpretations, and crafting historical arguments. This 11th grade course may be taken by advanced students instead of regular U.S. History and is currently taught by Mrs. Penninger.

Psychology is defined as the study of the mind and behavior. Psychology aims to discover why we think, behave, and feel the way we do. Through observation and experimentation, psychology can help us understand our development, emotions, personalities, perceptions, motivations, stresses, and actions. Knowledge and appreciation of psychology allows us to recognize more about ourselves, others, and the world around us in an effort to improve human life. In this course, students will be exposed to major themes such as:

1. The history of psychology, research methods, and ethics

2. The brain and its impact on our behavior

3. Human development, perception, and learning

4. Society’s impact on our behavior

5. Personalities, motivation, and intelligence

6. Abnormal psychology, treatment methods, and personal health

Psychology is a full-year course currently taught by Mr. Roberts.