Middle School - Grades 6-8
According to the National Council for the Social Studies, "At the secondary level, students engage in social studies through singular, disciplinary lenses as well as interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary ones." Allow us to share with you what these disciplinary lenses offer at our three middle school grade levels.
Grade 6 Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations
The studies the people and events that ushered in the dawn of the major Western and non-Western ancient civilizations. The course challenges students to discover why civilizations developed when and where they did, what caused the rise and fall of certain civilizations, and establish the link between the contemporary and ancient worlds. Students learn the development of the human story through the study of geography as well as through the study of civilizations' social, economic, and political structures. Students also study the establishment and spread of ideas that transformed the world. Seventh Grade, part of the middle school program, is considered "part two" of this curriculum.
Grade 7 Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations and Medieval Times
Social Studies focuses on world culture, geography, and history from ancient civilization through the year 1700 CE. After an overview of basic geographical concepts, study continues with units on the Middle East, China, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and Exploration. Students examine major civilizations of the past, their impact on their own historical time periods, and their contributions to the modern world. The economic, political, and social systems of pre-modern society are examined.
Grade 8 Social Studies: United States History from Colonization through 1890
This course focuses on the study of United States history from British colonization through 1890. In our classes, students examine the colonial era, the American Revolution, the origins of our national government, westward expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
There are Academic and Advanced level classes in Eighth Grade. The Advanced course is designed for students who enjoy in-depth study of American history and seek rigorous, advanced-level work in the Social Studies. Students will be expected to use both primary and secondary resources to complete an extensive research project. Those who choose this course will also complete additional reading, writing, and skill-building assignments beyond those expected in the Academic social studies classes.