Our goal is that students absorb the lessons of history and religion and leave with an appreciation of the world around them, including an understanding of how we got to where we are today and a desire to have a positive impact on the world in the future. We stress the connections between events, people, and places, and emphasize the changes in cultures over time."

— Skeffington Young, Department Chair

How do we teach?

Our classes are conducted around the Harkness table where students are expected to participate actively in discussions. Our curriculum focuses on the students’ development of critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. Students learn how to analyze primary and secondary sources and to use those sources to support their historical arguments, both in writing and in discussion. In addition to individual essays, students also conduct research in order to learn from outside sources. Students learn all aspects of library and Internet research, how to identify useful sources and compile a bibliography, how to take notes and formulate a thesis, and how to write an effective paper that presents a logical and cohesive argument.

All students are required to take three years of history, one of which must be United States History in the junior year, and the World Religions course, normally taken in tenth grade.