1. Social Studies brian.gasiorowski@cms.k12.nc.us
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me. My is:
Thank you,
Brian Gasiorowski
Social Studies Department Chair

2. Guidelines for Course Level Placement
Factors to be considered for level placement:
Student’s motivation and willingness to be engaged in the learning process by doing the work requested.
Homework and projects completed on time
Organization skills
Current grades in the courses in question and current level
EOG grades
Level and amount of extra curricular activities

3. Standard Level Coursework 9-12
Adheres to the North Carolina Essential Standards
Provides the student with a basic understanding of the curriculum content
Students receive some remedial review of material presented
Suggested for students scoring 1 or 2 on 8th grade EOGs
No additional quality points

4. Honors (9-12) and IBMYP (9 & 10) Level Coursework
Moves beyond the North Carolina Essential Standards by adding several additional areas of study
Requires students to do much outside reading and many projects beyond the normal classroom requirements
Students should be independent learners and highly motivated to learn rather than simply to achieve a grade

5. Honors (9-12) and IBMYP (9 & 10) Level Coursework (Cont.)
Geared toward students making a high 3 – 5 on 8th grade EOGs or high school EOCs.
Earns ½ additional quality point

6. Advanced Placement College level courses and exams
Potentially earn college level credit depending on the college and exam scores
Opportunity to explore college curriculum and improve chances of getting into competitive colleges
Very rigorous pace for motivated students
Earns 1 additional quality point

7. International Baccalaureate
Provides opportunity to pursue a rigorous liberal arts curriculum
Students sit for external exams in 6 academic areas during 11th and 12th grade
IB differs from AP in that IB is a complete curriculum with specified courses in grades 11 and 12, while the AP program allows students to select courses
Earns 1 additional quality point

8. Graduation Requirements for Social Studies
9th grade - World History
10th grade – Civics & Economics
11th grade – American History (Both)
American History: European Exploration of the New World – 1877
American History: 1877 – Present
All classes listed will be offered both semesters
All classes listed are on the 4x4 schedule
In the 9th and 10th grade, World History and Civics & Economics are offered at the Standard, Honors and IBMYP levels
In the 11th grade, both American History classes are offered at the Standard and Honors level

9. Electives on the 4x4 Schedule
The following electives will be offered and be worth a full credit
African-American Studies
Psychology
Debate (Levels I, II and III will be offered on
an A-day/B-day schedule and a 4x4 schedule)

10. AP Class Offerings AP US History (Meets American History requirement)
AP US Government
AP European History
AP World History (Meets World History requirement)
AP Psychology
AP Economics
AP Human Geography
All classes listed will be offered on an A-day/B-day schedule
Classes will culminate with AP Board Exam for potential college credit

11. IB Course Offerings IB Psychology I (SL) and II (HL)
IB History of the Americas and IB 20th Century
Meets American History requirement
2 year commitment
IB Economics SL and HL
IB Geography SL
TOK
Only Juniors and Seniors may take IB Exams