The social studies program is an integrated study of history, the social sciences, and the humanities that incorporates disciplines such as geography, sociology, political science, civics and criminal law. The primary purpose is to help students develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good, as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society.

The courses in social studies seek to foster the development of a base of knowledge through scholarship and a set of occupational skills within a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary K-12 program. Focus is placed on students' need for skills in data collection and analysis, collaboration, decision-making, problem-solving, self-management, and interpretation and evaluation. The program is designed to reflect the realization that these skills will be critical to shaping the future and improving democracy in our lives. Finally, the social studies program addresses the conditions of life by studying how past societies function in order to inform contemporary behavior. For, "only through studying history can we grasp how things change; only through history can we begin to comprehend the factors that cause change; and only through history can we understand what elements of an institution or a society persist despite change."   

— Peter N. Stearns
   "Why Study History"
   Link to American Historical Association