The Middle School Social Studies curriculum is designed with two goals to provide the middle school student with: 1) an awareness and knowledge of the physical world and the interactions humans have with that world and with each other and 2) a firm foundation in the social sciences in preparation for a more in-depth Upper School curriculum. This transitional step between the Elementary School and the Upper School is accomplished through the introduction of more complex yet still age-appropriate topics in, for example, world history, current events, political science, economics, geography and cartography. The Social Studies curriculum is designed around a three year rotating cycle of annual themes. These annual themes are closely integrated with science and language arts and integrated with Spanish, art and music as opportunities arise.