The History Department at The Heights School offers courses that help students understand the riches of the past. The focus is primarily on the western tradition, though not exclusively. Each teacher helps his students to understand and appreciate the common heritage of our past and to improve in research and writing skills. The focus is on history as a narrative story that cannot be explained away by any one perspective, whether economic or political. The course of history is strongly influenced by individuals exercising their freedom, for heroic ends or otherwise.

 

The 9th grade standard course begins where the 8th grade ancient history class ended, around 500 A.D. Thus all students are exposed to ancient and modern European (and some world) history and a full year of US History and Government during grades 8 through 10. Juniors and seniors are required to choose at least one history elective per year. In addition, each student is required to pass either AP US History or AP Modern European History to graduate.

 

Course offerings:

•   Medieval and Renaissance History (9th grade)

•   United States History and Government (10th grade)

•   AP US History (elective)

•   AP US Government (elective)

•   AP Modern European History (elective)

•   World War II / Cold War (elective)

•   AP Economics, both microeconomics and macroeconomics offered on alternating years (electives)

•   AP Art History (elective)

•   American Foreign Policy (elective)

•   Russian History (elective)