History & Social Studies

World History

Open to: Freshmen

Prerequisite: None

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Standard, Honors

This ninth grade course begins with a world perspective of Revolutions: revolutions of thought, society, politics and economics. Students then explore Imperialism and Colonization, the global conflicts of WWI, WWII and the Holocaust, and the rise of Nationalism. Students will develop an understanding of the historic as well as the contemporary geographic, social, political and economic consequences of the various topics and problems they review. 

Honors: Students with a strong work ethic who are motivated for more challenging coursework at an accelerated pace. Teacher recommendation required.

AP Human Geography

Open to: Freshmen

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Advanced

This is a college-level course which introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. Students look at many topics through the lenses of migration, ethnicity, religion, gender, urban patterns and industrial developments. Students taking this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement Human Geography Exam in May. *The cost for 2024-2025 was $99 per AP exam and is subject to change as determined by College Board. Students who are eligible for free or reduced meals are will receive a fee waiver.

Modern World History & American Government

Open to: Sophomores

Prerequisite: Successful completion of World History or AP Human Geography

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Standard, Honors

This tenth grade course focuses on a historical analysis of the contemporary world in global perspective from the aftermath of World War II to the present. Topics surveyed will include such areas as the end of WWII and the peace, The Cold War, decolonization, genocide, peace initiatives, and global terrorism. In American Government, students will engage in the study of civic processes, rules, and laws; examine civic and political institutions, and explore civic virtues and democratic principles. 

Honors: Students with a strong work ethic who are motivated for more challenging coursework at an accelerated pace. Teacher recommendation required.

U.S. HISTORY

Open to: Juniors

Prerequisites: Two successful credits of History, teacher recommendation

Duration/Credit: 1 year/ 1 credit

Level: Standard, Honors

This course examines the major turning points in American history beginning with the events leading up to the westward movement, the changing nature of business and government, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the growth of the United States as a world power, the Cold War and the struggle to achieve class, ethnic, racial, and gender equality. The college preparatory level course has more outside work, writing, and more rigorous assignments.

Honors: Students with a strong work ethic who are motivated for more challenging coursework at an accelerated pace. Teacher recommendation required. 

AP U.S. History

Open to: Juniors

Prerequisite: Two successful credits of History at the Honors or AP level; teacher recommendation

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Advanced

APUSH is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students assess historical materials - their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance- and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. This course develops the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in an essay format. Students taking this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement United States History Exam in May. *The cost for 2024-2025 was $99 per AP exam and is subject to change as determined by College Board. Students who are eligible for free or reduced meals are will receive a fee waiver.

Introduction to Psychology

Open to: Juniors, Seniors

Pre/Co-requisite: U.S. History

Duration/Credit: 1 semester/ 1⁄2 credit

Level: Standard 

This course is designed to help students understand psychology’s basic principles, concepts, terminology, and to discover its relevance to everyday life. This course requires students to complete outside reading that will prepare them to engage in classroom discussion and successfully complete classroom assignments. Students will gain an understanding of the history of the field of psychology, the learning and cognitive processes, important theories and theorists, memory and human intelligence, stress and health, and psychological disorders and treatments.

African American, Black, Latino, and Puerto Rican Studies 

Open to: Juniors, Seniors

Pre/Co-requisite: U.S. History

Duration/Credit: 1 year / 1 credit

Level: Standard

This course explores the accomplishments and struggles of African American, Latino, and Puerto Rican people in the U.S. You will examine how historical movements, legislation, and wars affected the citizenship rights of these groups and how they worked to build U.S. cultural and economic wealth and worked to create more just societies in local, national, and international contexts.

AP United States Government & Politics

Open to: Sophomores (Class of 2028), Seniors (Class of 2026)

Prerequisite: AP or Honors United States History; teacher recommendation 

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Advanced

The course provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. Students taking this course are expected to take the AP Exam in American Government & Politics in May. *The cost for 2024-2025 was $99 per AP exam and is subject to change as determined by College Board. Students who are eligible for free or reduced meals are will receive a fee waiver.

AP Psychology

Open to: Seniors

Prerequisite: Honors or AP United States History; teacher recommendation

Duration/Credit: 1 year/1 credit

Level: Advanced

This course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Students taking this course are expected to take the AP Exam in Psychology in May. *The cost for 2024-2025 was $99 per AP exam and is subject to change as determined by College Board. Students who are eligible for free or reduced meals are will receive a fee waiver.