All students must pass the following full-semester courses prior to high school graduation:

• American History
• World History
• Government and Economics
• Global America or AP option

Social Studies Electives

In addition to the four required credits of social studies in high school, students have the opportunity to take various electives in the social sciences in the list below.

Please download the Social Studies Department brochure to find which grades these electives are available to students. For detailed descriptions of each course, see the course selection guide.

• Pennsylvania and Lancaster County
• Rights and Events in a Modern World
• Criminal Justice
• Principles of American Law
• Psychology College Prep
• PA Psychology
• AP European History
• AP World History: Modern
• AP U.S. Government and Politics
• AP Comparative Government
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Macroeconomics

Advanced Placement Social Studies Courses

The social studies department offers Advanced Placement opportunities for students in grades 9 through 12 which meet the requirements for the corresponding grade level course:

• AP US History: 9^th
• AP World History Modern: 10^th
• AP US Government: 11^th
• AP Comparative Government: 12^th
• AP Microeconomics: 12^th
• AP Macroeconomics: 12^th

More AP information can be found on the College Board website.

All students in the Hempfield School District experience the past in order to understand the present and prepare for the future alongside their teachers in the Social Studies Department. 

All social studies courses throughout the K-12 curriculum are aligned to the PA Academinc standards. These courses emphasize the importance of being a valued member and active participant within an ever-changing, global society. Through this vibrant, rigorous, and authentic curriculum, students will have the exciting opportunity to study the world in which they live: beginning with themselves and their families and expanding to understanding cultures all over the globe!

In middle school, students begin to explore Ancient and early American History and are also introduced to the physical and political geography of the various regions studied within the courses. Numerous multimedia materials, various reading texts, and several writing opportunities are used to provide students with authentic experiences while analyzing the past and its significance to the present.

The high school curriculum provides students with the opportunity to continue their survey of American History, World History, Government & Economics, and a Global America. Students also have the opportunity to explore numerous specialized topics within the social studies curriculum via our exciting new electives, which are designed to nurture students’ passions and provide opportunities for career exploration.

Upon concluding their studies within the social studies department, all students within the Hempfield School District will have the foundational knowledge to continue to be life-long learners and contributing citizens in all aspects of their lives.

We look forward to joining our students in their exploration of Social Studies!