Social Studies
Announcement: Virginia Studies Textbook Review
The community is invited to review the Five Ponds Virginia Studies textbook at the Culpeper County Public Schools Central Office from March 21st through April 30th. The textbook will be located outside of the Instruction Office. We welcome community and staff feedback.
VDOE Standards
The 2023 VDOE Social Studies standards have been approved and will go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year. The new standards can be found on the VDOE Website.
Social Studies Education
The study of history and social science is vital in promoting a civic-minded, democratic society. All students need to know and understand our national heritage in order to become informed participants in shaping our nation’s future. The History and Social Science Standards of Learning were developed with the assistance of educators, parents, business leaders, and other stakeholders who have an interest in public education and a civil society.
Social Studies Curriculum Guides/Balanced Assessment Plans
Kindergarten (Introduction to History: Community Focus)-Under Construction
First Grade (Introduction to History: Commonwealth of Viginia Focus)-Under Construction
Second Grade (Introduction to History: United State Focus)-Under Construction
Third Grade (World Cultures)-Under Construction
Fourth Grade (Virginia Studies)-Under Construction
Fifth Grade (Locally Developed Curriculum)-Under Construction
Electives: African American Histoy - Under Construction
Electives: Psychology - Under Construction
Electives: Sociology - Under Construction
Electives: AP/DE Psychology - Under Construction
Electives: AP Government - Under Construction
Electives: DE/AP US History - Under Construction
2024-2025 Assessment of Social Studies
The following classes require an end-of-course Standards of Learning Test:
Virginia Studies (4th Grade)
Civics and Economics (8th Grade)
The following classes require various locally administered assessments, including Performance Assessments, in lieu of the Standards of Learning Test.
World Cultures (3rd Grade)
United States History to 1865 (6th Grade)
United States History 1865 - Present (7th Grade)
For the following classes, CCPS will collect evidence through Performance Tasks and local assessments in lieu of taking the end-of-course Standards of Learning test. The evidence collected will include student responses to state-developed performance tasks and content-based division assessments. Student portfolios will be assessed by a school-based committee to determine if verified credit may be awarded.
World History and Geography to 1500 (9th Grade)
World History and Geography: 1500 to Present (10th Grade)
Virginia and United States History (11th Grade)
Newest Elective Social Studies Course in CCPS: African American History
In 2021, Culpeper County Public Schools added an African American History course to our Program of Studies. This course is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the African American experience and explore ancient Africa moving through modern times through project based and inquiry learning. The course, supported by a local division curriculum, addresses the introduction of Africans to the Americas and the African American experience between 1619 and the present. In addition, the course will highlight the social, cultural and political contributions of African Americans to American society.
Do you have questions about how Social Studies is taught in Culpeper? Please contact our K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist:
Kristina Wenger
471 James Madison Hwy, Suite 201
Culpeper, VA 22701
540-825-3677
Email Kristina Wenger