
District of Columbia Social Studies Curriculum
Aligned to the District of Columbia academic standards and built for DC CAPE.
Browse by school level
Elementary School Social Studies
Community, geography, history, and civics foundations, one course per grade.

Kindergarten Social Studies
American symbols, community workers, and needs vs. wants in Kindergarten.

1st Grade Social Studies
Government basics, American symbols, and community geography for 1st grade.

2nd Grade Social Studies
Branches of government, types of maps, and early American history for 2nd grade.

3rd Grade Social Studies
Constitution, U.S. regions, and colonial history for 3rd grade social studies.

4th Grade Social Studies
Constitution, civil rights, and colonial life in 4th grade social studies.

5th Grade Social Studies
Colonial government, the Constitutional Convention, and westward movement in 5th grade.
Middle School Social Studies
World cultures, US history, and civics leading into high school courses.

6th Grade Social Studies
Early humans, ancient Mesopotamia, and the Nile River civilizations in 6th grade social studies.

7th Grade Social Studies
Ancient Rome, medieval feudalism, and Tang and Song dynasties in 7th grade.

8th Grade Social Studies
Colonial America, the American Revolution, and early U.S. government formation.
High School Social Studies
Civics and Government, Economics, Geography, and History for DC students.

Civics and Government
Constitutional foundations, civil rights, and the structure of government.

Economics
Scarcity and choice, market forces and structure, and macroeconomic policy.

Geography
Physical systems, world regions, and human-environment interaction for high school geography.

History
Pre-Contact America, colonial development, and Jacksonian Era to modern U.S. history.
Aligned with the District of Columbia academic standards
Courses are organized around DC academic standards and match typical classroom pacing, so students find the exact topic their teacher covered and work through it step by step.
- Mapped to DC academic standards, grade by grade
- Review for DC CAPE built into every course
- Unlimited practice problems with worked solutions

Social Studies Curriculum by State
Select any state to see its social studies courses across the United States.
State Standards
CURRICULUM GUIDE
About the District of Columbia Social Studies Curriculum
How DC Academic Standards Work
The District of Columbia sets its own academic standards, organizing social studies around civics, economics, geography, and history from Kindergarten through high school.
How District of Columbia Differs
DC introduces dedicated Civics and Government as a named high school course, reflecting its unique status as the seat of federal government rather than a state.
How District of Columbia Social Studies Progresses
Students move from community and geography in the early grades through US history in middle school, then into named high school courses covering civics, economics, and geography.
How District of Columbia Assesses Social Studies
DC CAPE is the primary assessment for District of Columbia students, with high school courses supporting college readiness alongside the district's academic standards.
Common Questions from District of Columbia Parents
We've got answers to some popular questions.
Which grades does StudyPug cover for District of Columbia social studies?
StudyPug covers Kindergarten through high school, including elementary, middle school, and the named high school courses Civics and Government, Economics, Geography, and History.
How do I find the course that matches my child's class?
Browse by grade band - elementary, middle, or high school - and select the course name that matches what your child's teacher is covering this year.
Does StudyPug help with DC CAPE preparation?
Yes. Practice problems and step-by-step explanations are based on real exams, including DC CAPE, so students can review the skills tested in District of Columbia assessments.
Does the course order match what DC schools teach?
Courses follow the District of Columbia academic standards sequence, so the topics appear in the same order students encounter them in their DC classrooms.
Can I use StudyPug for homeschooling?
Yes. Lessons are organized by grade and standard and can be worked at the student's own pace, making StudyPug a practical fit for homeschool families in the District of Columbia.
Reviewed by the StudyPug Curriculum Team
Last updated June 5, 2026
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