History and social science at Aim Academy Online help students understand the world—past and present—through engaging content, structured discussion, and meaningful writing. Courses are organized into a clear progression from middle school through high school, with options for core history, Advanced Placement, and electives.
Students build background knowledge, strengthen reading and writing skills, and learn to think critically about historical events, sources, and perspectives.
Build background knowledge
Strengthen literacy skills
Learn to think critically
The History & Social Science Catalog
Middle school courses introduce major historical eras through engaging, literature-rich instruction. These classes are designed to build foundational knowledge while strengthening reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking in a supportive environment.
Core Courses
- Ancient Civilizations Through Literature:
An engaging introduction to the ancient world, where students explore early civilizations through stories and historical texts while building foundational reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. - Medieval History Through Literature:
A journey through the Middle Ages that brings history to life through rich literature, helping students deepen comprehension and develop more structured writing and analytical skills. - American History Through Literature:
An immersive exploration of U.S. history through compelling narratives and primary sources, guiding students to connect historical events while strengthening their writing and critical thinking.
Elective Option
- World Geography and Cultures:
An interactive exploration of the world’s regions, where students study geography, cultures, and global connections while developing research, writing, and critical thinking skills.
High school courses provide a comprehensive and rigorous study of world and U.S. history. Students analyze primary and secondary sources, engage in discussion, and develop strong analytical writing skills. Courses are available at regular, honors, and AP levels.
Core High School Courses
- World History I (Academic/Honors):
A foundational study of ancient through early modern civilizations, where students explore key developments while building skills in analysis, discussion, and structured historical writing. - World History II (Academic/Honors):
A continuation of world history from the early modern era to today, helping students connect global events and deepen their ability to analyze historical change and continuity. - U.S. History Survey (Academic/Honors):
A comprehensive overview of American history that guides students in examining key events, people, and ideas while developing strong analytical reading and writing skills. - Modern European History (Academic/Honors):
An in-depth look at Europe’s transformation in the modern era, where students analyze political, cultural, and social changes through discussion and evidence-based writing.
Elective & Social Science Courses
- History of Africa and Asia:
An exploration of the histories and cultures of Africa and Asia, expanding students’ global perspective while strengthening analytical reading and writing skills.- Available as a full-year course or by semester: History of Africa & the Middle East (1st Semester) and History of Asia (2nd Semester)
- Government & Economics (Academic/Honors):
A practical full-year study of how governments function and how economic systems operate, helping students understand real-world issues and civic responsibilities.- Also available as the full-year course: Economics & Government (Academic/Honors)
- Also available as semester courses
- Intro to Government (Academic/Honors)
- Intro to Economics (Academic/Honors)
- Intro to Government Self-Paced – (also available over the summer)
- Intro to Economics Self-Paced – (also available over the summer)
- Personal Finance:
A second-semester only, real-world course that equips students with essential financial skills, including budgeting, saving, investing, and making informed financial decisions. - World Geography and Cultures (9th-grade):
A first-semester-only, interactive exploration of the world’s regions, where students study geography, cultures, and global connections while developing research, writing, and critical thinking skills. - Intro to Psychology:
An engaging introduction to the study of human behavior and the mind, where students explore topics like brain function, development, and personality while building analytical thinking and real-world connections.
Our AP® tracks are College Board-audited courses designed for the ambitious student ready to engage with university-level texts and rigorous academic research. These courses provide the high-level analytical tools and formal writing stamina needed to excel in competitive college environments.
- AP® Modern World History:
A college-level exploration of global history from 1200 to the present, challenging students to analyze patterns, make connections, and write with precision and depth. - AP® U.S. History:
A rigorous, college-level study of American history that emphasizes critical thinking, document analysis, and the development of clear, evidence-based arguments. - AP® European History:
A detailed, college-level examination of European history, where students engage deeply with historical themes and refine advanced analytical and writing skills. - AP® Human Geography:
An introduction to the patterns and processes that shape human populations, offering students a global perspective through analysis of culture, economics, and geography. - AP® U.S. Government & Politics:
A college-level study of the American political system, where students analyze the Constitution, institutions, and public policy while developing skills in critical thinking, argumentation, and evidence-based writing. - AP® Psychology:
A college-level exploration of human behavior and mental processes, where students examine key psychological theories and research while developing advanced analytical and evidence-based writing skills.- Also available as a Self-Paced course
Flexible Course Options
Many courses are designed to meet different scheduling and learning needs:
- Full-Year Courses – In-depth, comprehensive study
- Regular Academic & Honors Levels – Options designed to support a range of learners, with honors courses offering increased rigor and depth for advanced students
- Semester Options – Available for many high school courses
- Self-Paced Options – Available for select courses
- Live, Instructor-Led Classes – Guided instruction with expert teachers
How to Choose the Right History Course
- If your student benefits from story-based learning and structure, literature-based history courses in middle school are a strong foundation.
- If your student is ready for independent analysis and writing, a standard high school history course is the next step.
- If your student is highly motivated or college-bound, consider Honors or AP options.
- If your student prefers practical, real-world connections, electives like Government, Economics, or Personal Finance are excellent choices.
Build a History Plan
Choose a path that helps your student build knowledge, think critically, and grow as a reader and writer.
Need help choosing other subjects?
Check out the overview pages for these subjects.