Consistent with the school’s mission and 21st Century Learning Skills, students enrolled in all Social Studies courses are presented with the opportunity to develop skills that teach them accountability, adaptability, and tenacity in their academic, social, and civic interactions. Through participating in the Social Studies curriculum, students will be taught to generate their own questions regarding the content of each course, including, but not limited to, the themes of personal and public identities; concern for sources and their relevance; change over time; cause and effect; hypothesizing; compare and contrast; and local, state, national and global challenges. Students will be provided with opportunities to investigate independent topics of interest relating to history, geography, civics and economics. Students will work both independently and collaboratively to solve problems. Lastly, students will be held to high standards of both personal and academic behavior, which will serve to encourage them to act with integrity in all academic endeavors and to exhibit respect for themselves and empathy for others.
The Social Studies Department is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment where all students can succeed and develop a strong understanding of the social, political, historical, and economic systems that shape our world. All Social Studies courses and electives will support students in developing the skills of a Portrait of a Graduate, including effective communication, successful collaboration, resourceful problem solving, and critical thinking.
Burlington High School students are required to take three years of Social Studies. The required course sequence is as follows:
Grade 9 – U.S. History I
Grade 10 – U.S. History II
Grade 11 – World History II