Jefferson High School offers several social studies courses, all of which build critical thinking and analysis skills, help students gain an understanding of the world, prepare students for active citizenship, and improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Social studies requirements
Freshman year
- No requirements, but electives are strongly suggested, especially if student is interested in four-year honors at graduation
Sophomore year
- World history is required for graduation
- AP world history is an option
Junior year
- U.S. history is required for graduation
- College U.S. history is an option (dual enrollment with Kirkwood Community College)
Senior year
Government and economics are required for graduation
Past offerings have included AP government, AP microeconomics and AP macroeconomics, and an online course
Social studies electives
- Behavioral sciences 1 and 2 (one semester each)
- Behavioral sciences 1 is similar to an introduction to psychology course
- Behavioral sciences 2 is similar to a sociology course
- AP human geography (year-long)
- This course studies cultures, languages, religions, population and migration, cities, countries, farms, industries
- Critical thinking, reading and note taking, and academic writing skills are emphasized
- AP exam is not required to take this course
- Prepares students for AP world history as sophomores
- Geography (one semester)
- This class is similar to psychology 101, and is a dual-enrollment course through Kirkwood; weighted grade and college credit
- Current world issues (one semester)
- Course content is structured around current events, with an emphasis on geography, government, and world history