The interconnected nature of the world makes in depth, relevant social studies instruction essential for all students. Our goal is to provide all students with authentic and rigorous learning opportunities that spark interest in the social studies and enhance students’ abilities to understand the people and spaces around them.
Des Moines Public Schools offers a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to learning in the social studies with all courses integrating the areas of history, government, economics, geography, and the behavioral sciences from Kindergarten through 9th grade Modern US History. Students are then able to select required and elective courses that specialize in the various disciplines within the social sciences. All of our courses are aligned to State of Iowa standards which can be found here.
All required and elective secondary social studies courses offered in Des Moines Public Schools are listed below. To find course guides and resources please select the the grade level and course from the navigation bar above.
Middle School Social Studies – Course Curriculum Guides
· 6th Grade Global Studies
· 7th Grade Contemporary Global Studies
· 8th Grade Early US History and Civic Ideals
High School Social Studies– Course Curriculum Guides
· Modern United States History
· Personal Economics
· United States Government
· Electives: African American Studies, Global Black History, LGBTQ+ History, Indigenous Peoples' History of the U.S., Chicano/a Studies, Latin American History, Intersectional Feminism, AAPI History, Psychology, and Sociology.
Advanced Placement:
Des Moines Public Schools offers a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to learning in the social studies with all courses integrating the areas of history, government, economics, geography, and the behavioral sciences from Kindergarten through 9th grade Modern US History. Students are then able to select required and elective courses that specialize in the various disciplines within the social sciences. All of our courses are aligned to State of Iowa standards which can be found here.
All required and elective secondary social studies courses offered in Des Moines Public Schools are listed below. To find course guides and resources please select the the grade level and course from the navigation bar above.
Middle School Social Studies – Course Curriculum Guides
· 6th Grade Global Studies
· 7th Grade Contemporary Global Studies
· 8th Grade Early US History and Civic Ideals
High School Social Studies– Course Curriculum Guides
· Modern United States History
· Personal Economics
· United States Government
· Electives: African American Studies, Global Black History, LGBTQ+ History, Indigenous Peoples' History of the U.S., Chicano/a Studies, Latin American History, Intersectional Feminism, AAPI History, Psychology, and Sociology.
Advanced Placement:
- AP Human Geography, AP US History, AP Psychology, AP US Government & Politics, AP Macroeconomics, AP World History, AP European History
