Secondary Social Studies

FCPS and the Lafayette 200 Committee are pleased to present educational materials in anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Frederick, Maryland. The development of these materials was supported by the Delaplaine Foundation, Heritage Frederick, Visit Frederick, FCPS, and the Lafayette 200 Committee.

Lafayette Travel Guide

FCPS Secondary Social Studies

Through the FCPS social studies program students develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to be productive, informed, empowered and participatory members of our diverse democratic society and global community.

The social studies program:

• Provides instruction in the core courses of Ancient & Medieval World History, American Studies 1 and 2, American Government and Modern World History.
• Encourages students to select electives from a wide range of courses such as Black & African American Studies, Economics, Geography, Law and Society, National and Global Issues, Psychology, Sociology, and WW2.
• Provides opportunities for Advanced Placement courses in United States History, Modern World History, European History, Psychology, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, United States Government and Politics, Comparative Government and Politics.
• Offers International Baccalaureate classes in History of Europe, World History, Africa and the MIddle East, Theory of Knowledge and Economics.
• Encourages participation in extracurricular activities such as National History Day, Mock Trial, Frederick County Association of Student Councils (FCASC), Maryland General Assembly Page Program, Model U.N., and Law Day.

Student Activities

Model UN - A simulation of the United Nations, an all-day event developed in partnership with Hood College for both middle and high school students.

Maryland General Assembly Page Program - Maryland General Assembly page program selection for Maryland State Senate. Open only to seniors. 

FCASC (Frederick County Association of Student Councils) - FCASC, comprised of middle and high school student governments, meets four times each school year, conducts multiple activities, and attends a statewide convention - for middle and high school students.

Student Member of the Board - Each fall, high school students are invited to apply to run for the elected position of Student Member of the Board (SMOB) for the coming school year. Five candidates are selected to move forward to a general election with the winner determined by the electoral vote of the General Assembly of FCASC. Open to all 10th and 11th grade students.

National History Day (NHD)- NHD is a National program that is run at the local level in partnership with the Maryland Humanities Council and Rose Hill Manor.  Middle and High School students have an opportunity to create a project based on the National chosen topic each year.  Winners advance to the state competition with the opportunity to compete at Nationals. Open to all middle and high school students. 

Mock Trial -  At the center of each year's competition is a new legal case - either civil or criminal in nature - that challenges students to think critically about timely issues. Acting as attorneys and witnesses, students portray defense or plaintiff/prosecution and are scored on their performances by judges or attorneys. The program is provided by the Maryland Youth and the Law (MyLaw) organization in cooperation with the Maryland State Bar Association. The program is supported at the local level by the Frederick County Bar Association. Open to all high school students.