Personal and civic responsibility, love of learning, and empathy for others: these are the qualities that Wayland’s K-12 social studies teachers seek to instill in our students. At its core, we believe in providing age-appropriate, rigorous, and supportive academic environments that promote the acquisition of knowledge and skills. To this end, we draw from the multiple disciplines that fall under the social studies umbrella while placing a particular emphasis on our national and world histories. Over time, social studies teachers seek to ensure that each child gains an understanding of important current issues in proper cultural and historical contexts.  We explore expansive perspectives inspired by our commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging and the social and emotional well-being of our students. Ultimately, our goal is to advance our students' growth into principled, informed, and capable citizens who will help guide a democracy that follows humanitarian principles in the global forum, and shape a just society where individuals may reach their full potential. 

Across the grades, our students engage in rigorous and relevant social studies inquiry (including history, geography, and civics) allowing them to:

• be curious and ask probing questions,
• think critically, 
• read and analyze primary and secondary sources,
• consider multiple perspectives and resist simplistic explanations and conclusions 
• develop digital literacy skills by identifying potential bias in sources and understanding complexity in the online world
• communicate effectively through the written and spoken word, supporting positions with evidence,  
• present knowledge authentically, and
• take action to improve their world, nation and community

The Social Studies program at Wayland High School aims to prepare students for their future roles as citizens in a democratic society whose actions will have a major influence in world affairs over the decades ahead. Students will be introduced to the historical and cultural influences which have shaped the world of the present, both in the United States and elsewhere. They will be helped to develop and apply the intellectual and analytical tools of many of the social sciences to help deepen and broaden their understanding of past trends, current events, and potential future developments.

In all courses the department emphasizes critical thinking skills, especially comparing and contrasting differing opinions and perspectives about important social and political questions. Students must complete three years of Social Studies to meet the graduation requirements of Wayland High School. This must include a year of United States History. Students are encouraged to continue their study of social studies beyond this three-year requirement, and the great majority does so.  There are a variety of compelling electives students can choose to take, including Psychology, Criminal Justice Studies, Innovation and Design, AP European History and AP Government.