Social Studies
At Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, our Social Studies program helps students understand the world around them—past and present—while preparing them to become compassionate, informed citizens.
Our Social Studies program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to understand the world and their role in shaping it. Aligned with the California History–Social Science Content Standards, our K–8 curriculum integrates history, geography, civics, economics, and cultural studies to promote informed citizenship and a global perspective, grounded in Catholic values.
In Grades K–2, students begin their journey with a focus on themselves, their families, and their communities. They explore basic concepts of geography, timelines, rules and responsibilities, and holidays and traditions that reflect diverse cultures and shared values.
In Grades 3–5, students expand their view to include local, state, and national history. They study California history, early American settlements, U.S. government, and the nation's founding principles. Students learn to interpret maps, analyze primary sources, and recognize how the past shapes our present.
In Grades 6–8, the curriculum turns to ancient civilizations, world history, and U.S. history through Reconstruction. Students engage in deeper historical analysis, exploring cause and effect, historical perspective, and continuity and change over time. They examine the development of democratic ideas, global interdependence, and the responsibilities of active citizenship.
Throughout all grade levels, students learn to think critically, engage in respectful discourse, and make connections between history and contemporary issues. Our program encourages reflection on justice, leadership, and service—helping students see how they can live out Catholic social teaching as active, compassionate citizens.