Social Studies

Our Social Studies Program

The Social Studies department at Creators Academy will empower students to make their own meanings of some of the big ideas that have shaped human history. Throughout their high school careers students will become informed global citizens by engaging in complex texts and thought provoking discussions. Our sequence will start with students embarking on a journey through the world's history in Global I and Global II. These courses will provide a snapshot of the world circa 1750 and continues chronologically up to the present. Several enduring issues are woven throughout the course including industrialization, nationalism, imperialism, conflict, technology, and the interconnectedness of the world. Building on this foundation, United States history will delve into the rich tapestry of our nation's past, examining its triumphs and struggles.

In students' senior year they will move on to Participation in Government which will give our students the skills to become active participants in a democracy, focusing on local, state, and national government structures. Our school offers great opportunities to gain college credit in our AP World and Bard History courses. These rigorous courses will challenge students with college level work and prepare them for the AP Exams. Our social studies program will mold students into culturally responsible citizens that are constantly pushing themselves to work harder, tackle new challenges, and embrace new ideas.

Courses

Global I (9th Grade) Through the study and investigation of various sources, students are asked to make their own meaning of some of the big ideas world history raises about humanity, race, gender, and the reliability of sources. Students use their readings and discussions to inform their writing, which will be conducted throughout the duration of the course.

Grade 9 begins with the Paleolithic Era and the development of the first civilizations, continues with an examination of classical societies, and traces the expansion of trade networks and their global impact. The course emphasizes the key themes of interactions over time, shifts in political power, and the role of belief systems.
Global II (AP World History) (10th Grade) Through the study and investigation of various sources, students are asked to make their own meaning of some of the big ideas world history raises about humanity, race, gender, and the reliability of sources. Students will practice extensive textual analysis throughout the course in order to prepare them for the June 2026 regents.

Grade 10 provides a snapshot of the world circa 1750. The course continues chronologically up to the present. Several concepts are woven throughout the course including industrialization, nationalism, imperialism, conflict, technology, and the interconnectedness of the world. The last three Key Ideas focus on global issues, applying a more thematic approach.
U.S. History (11th Grade) Through the study and investigation of various sources, students are asked to make their own meaning of some of the big ideas that have shaped this country. Students will practice extensive textual analysis throughout the course in order to prepare them for the June 2026 regents.

Grade 11 begins with the colonial and constitutional foundations of the United States and explores the government structure and functions written in the Constitution. The development of the nation and the political, social, and economic factors that led to the challenges our nation faced in the Civil War are addressed. Industrialization, urbanization, and the accompanying problems are examined, along with America’s emergence as a world power, the two world wars of the 20th century, and the Cold War. Students explore the expansion of the federal government, the threat of terrorism, and the place of the United States in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world.