The 5th grade Social Studies curriculum takes students on an immersive journey through the earliest periods of human history, from the dawn of early hominins to the rise and fall of great empires. Students delve into the worlds of ancient Mesopotamia, Persia, the Americas, Egypt and the Middle East, India, and China, exploring how these civilizations developed, thrived, and influenced one another. An inquiry-based approach to learning encourages students to investigate multimedia sources, ask questions, and seek evidence to support their findings. Particular attention is given to the ways in which society is shaped by geography, innovative ideas, and power dynamics. Through a lens of social justice, students analyze diverse perspectives and synthesize information to form a multidimensional understanding of the past and the legacy it leaves behind. Skills emphasized include examining primary sources, thinking critically, and engaging in discussion. By the end of the course, students will have gained an appreciation of ancient history as well as its lasting impact on the world today.

The 6th grade Social Studies program builds critical historical skills through the exploration of medieval Europe, the Islamic world, West Africa, and the pre-Columbian Americas. Particular attention is given to the spread of empires and ideas during this period and their formative influence on societies. Students investigate how factors such as geographic location, infrastructure, leadership, economy, and culture contribute to the rise, expansion, and decline of empires, as well as the development and spread of ideas, philosophies, and religions. Throughout the course, students examine major events through the theme of power and its impacts on individuals, groups, and societies. By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret, evaluate, and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources to support their own understanding of the historical processes that took place during this period. The year ends with a capstone project in which students develop a research paper and present their findings at a grade-wide research expo.

The history program for both 7th and 8th grade gives students the tools to build critical-thinking skills, improve their analytical historical writing, and reinforce Quaker values. The emphasis on skill development prepares students for the rigors of the Upper School while they are learning about new content areas.

The 7th grade curriculum introduces the concept of historiography as the bedrock of historical study and tells the story of the United States by examining diverse perspectives of important events and turning points between the 17th and 19th centuries.

In 8th grade, students begin a two-year study of world history that they will finish in 9th grade. The 8th grade portion of the course examines the political, social, and economic revolutions and changes across the globe during the modern era.

All 7th and 8th grade students complete an independent research project each year. This project, over and above the content areas noted, allows students to dive deeper into a topic of their choice while adhering to the methodologies of historical research, writing, and citations. Instead of just reporting on a topic, research projects require 7th and 8th graders to prove a thesis using the evidence they collect from primary and secondary sources.

Finally, classes in both 7th and 8th grade also include field trips, interdisciplinary opportunities with educators from other departments, and special guests from the broader Washington, DC, academic community.