High School

U.S. History (11) provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the United States, surveying the major events and turning points of U.S. history as it moves from America’s cultural roots through modern times. As students examine each era of history, they will use critical thinking to analyze a variety of primary sources from multiple perspectives, interpret and evaluate historical evidence, carefully research events, and work on historical essay writing skills. These skills will allow students to have a clearer understanding of their role in history, the factors that have shaped U.S. history, and the diversity that makes America uniquely great. In early units, students will assess the foundations of U.S. democracy and in later units, students will examine the effects of territorial expansion and America’s changing role in the world, the Civil War, and the rise of industrialization. Students will also assess the outcomes of economic trends and the connections between culture and government. As the course draws to a close, students will focus on the causes of cultural, social, and political change in the modern age. Throughout the course, a heavy emphasis will be placed on the importance and complexity of cultural diversity while examining history from different perspectives.

U.S. History Curriculum

U.S. Government and Politics (11, 12) is a required semester course that focuses on the mechanics of the three branches of our Federal Government as well as a look at the various political systems and institutions that make our government function as it does. The state-required United States and Missouri Constitution exams are included in this class. Other components include an exploration of political ideologies and an investigation into the constitutional development and framework of the government.

U.S. Government and Politics

This course will provide an overview of the unique and diverse history of the area that has become St. Louis. Students will begin with the geography of the region, following the course of development through its earliest known inhabitants, small 18th-century trading post, to a major metropolis at the turn of the 20th century. The course will examine both individuals who were significant to the development of the city and region, as well as the culturally diverse people who have made the city of St. Louis what it is today. The course will culminate with students examining contemporary as well as future issues that have and could further impact the city and surrounding communities.

History of St. Louis

The History of Social Change (10,11,12) is designed for students to be socially conscious about their connections to American history. By studying the histories of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, and culture, students will cultivate empathy and respect for groups of people to foster active social engagement and community. Particular focus will be given to the contributions and struggles of different racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, gendered, and marginalized groups in their quest to access the promise of equality.

Students will investigate and analyze the historical factors of power and privilege, and their impact on the human experience. Students will
apply this analysis to contemporary avenues of advocacy and civic engagement. The course is designed to build bridges in an increasingly
diverse nation.

History of Social Change Curriculum

Current Events (10, 11, 12) is a semester course in which students analyze and discuss the impact of national and international forces, events, and situations. Topics in the course may include US political events, foreign policy, global crises, wars and disputes, economic issues, and an exploration of social and health issues. Students will examine how historical events have created current issues as well. Current non-fiction books may be assigned as well. 

Sustainable Investigations (10, 11, 12) are courses that engage students in developing the skill of systems thinking through the three dimensions of sustainability: social/cultural, economic, and environmental. Students will explore the challenge of sustainable development by examining and posing questions, proposing and researching solutions, and exploring careers related to meeting human needs in a world of finite resources and complex, interconnected systems.

Sustainable Investigations Curriculum

Black Studies I (11, 12) (L) is a semester course that provides students an opportunity to study Black literature and history in an interdisciplinary setting. Combining literature and history allows students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Black culture, intellectual, and historical experience. This course may be taken for English or Social Studies credit.

Black Studies Curriculum

Advanced Placement European History (10, 11, 12) is a two-semester course that offers students the challenge of a college level course and will enable them to prepare for the College Board’s Advanced Placement examination. Students will be acquainted with the development of European history from ancient times, but the principal emphasis will be the social, economic, political, and diplomatic history of Europe from the Renaissance to the fall of the Soviet Union. Students will work extensively with the primary documents and analyze the major historical interpretations of the period. Extensive work will be conducted in free-response and document- based essay writing.

AP European History

Advanced Placement World History (10, 11, 12) is a full-year course accentuating chronology and themes in the world’s history, beginning with foundations in 1200 B.C. and finishing with the present-day. A thematic structure provides the context for studying and interpreting world historical events for students including patterns of interaction among societies, change over time, impact of technology, cultural and intellectual developments, and changes in the structure and functions of states. This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam.

Advanced Placement U. S. History (11, 12) is a two–semester course that offers capable and motivated high school students the challenge of college-level instruction. Students who enroll in this class may receive up to 6 hours of college credit through successful performance on the Advanced Placement American History Examination of the College Board. The class requires extensive reading on the history of the United States from the colonial period to the present. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of primary sources and on the analysis of major historical interpretations.

AP United States History

Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics (12) is a two-semester course that offers students an opportunity to study U.S. politics through a college-level course. The course is designed to prepare students for the national AP US Government and Politics exam given in May. The course will examine the major institutions, processes, and behaviors that shape public policy in the United States. Included will be topics such as the relationship between Congress and the presidency, the function and strategies of interest groups, campaigns, elections, and voting behaviors, modern political parties, and the development of civil liberties and civil rights. This course also includes summer preparatory assignments.

AP U.S. Government and Politics

Advanced Placement Microeconomics (11, 12) is a two-semester course that provides a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. The Personal Finance course requirement is also included in Advanced Placement Microeconomics. In order to use this course to meet the Personal Finance requirement, the student must pass the Personal Finance Assessment within the state-determined testing window.

Advanced Placement Psychology (11, 12) is a full-year course that provides an in-depth overview of psychology. Topics of study include history and approaches, research design and methodology, physiological psychology, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, developmental psychology, personality theories, abnormal psychology, treatment of disorders, and social psychology. Students will work with contemporary research journal articles and respond to prior theories. Individuals may choose to prepare for and take the College Board’s Advanced Placement Psychology exam. The course includes topics that may be upsetting for some students (mental illness, criminal behavior, etc.).

AP Psychology