The ultimate goal of the history curriculum at Mercersburg is to teach students “to become their own historians.” Our students learn to read critically, synthesize multiple sources and perspectives, and write analytically and cogently. As they move through the history courses at Mercersburg, students become increasing less reliant upon traditional history textbooks and learn to wrestle with the contradictions of human experience through work with primary sources.

History teachers challenge their students to think for themselves, to communicate their opinions to their classmates, and to cooperate with each other even if they disagree. Mercersburg’s history curriculum offers students an increasing degree of choice in terms of AP courses and electives as they make decisions about their personal academic growth and the level of rigor appropriate to their progress and performance. Mercersburg’s history courses are designed to provoke students to raise their awareness of their responsibilities as citizens of their communities and of the world.

History Department Faculty