Our Mission

The Center for the Humanities exists to engage students in a rigorous, interdisciplinary learning environment that supports, develops, and encourages academic, intellectual, social, and emotional flourishing.  Through the study of the liberal arts and humanities, students cultivate curiosity, creativity, imagination, and critical thinking so that our individual and collective past and present can shape the direction of our future.

Our History

The Humanities Center was founded in 2000.  Our first class graduated in 2004.  Since that time, the Center for the Humanities has produced hundreds of graduates who have entered an impressive variety of colleges and universities.  These graduates have gone on to assume a diverse array of roles in the real world.

Humanities students are led through a challenging and engaging curriculum by award winning educators with diverse areas of expertise and years of teaching experience.  Students share a core of classes with Humanities Faculty and their fellow Humanities students, but also take numerous classes outside the Center, where they become vital contributors to Monacan High School as a whole. 

Through the study of the humanities, students are exposed to ideas and experiences in history, science, literature, philosophy, and the arts. As students read, write, and engage in discussion, they think critically, learn to express themselves clearly, and adapt to changing circumstances.

What kind of education will be most useful ten or fifteen years from now, when technologies we haven’t thought of yet are changing our lives? Those who have mastered the skills of listening carefully, asking insightful questions, and solving problems will be equipped for success no matter where the future takes us.  These are the kinds of people who graduate from Monacan High School's Center for the Humanities.

As Humanities Graduates continue their trajectory of learning and growth, and further their formal education, in the arts and the sciences, we find them studying at variety of colleges and universities, both near and far. Our graduates study a wide range of disciplines, and they find our rigorous curriculum and our emphasis of service and citizenship has amply prepared them for their university studies - and the world beyond.

Our Graduates are Writers, Doctors, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Engineers, Designers, Teachers, Programmers, Consultants, Curators, Lawyers, Lobbyists, Accountants, Physical Therapists, Editors, Psychologists, Managers, Ministers, Administrators, Officers, Researchers, Fiduciaries, Journalists, Etc.

A Rigorous Academic Program with a Heart

Welcome to the core of the Humanities Center - its academic program. This program is a challenging and rich academic experience that also weaves a sense of family among its participants.

The curriculum at the Humanities Center engages students in study that is both broad and deep. It immerses students in core humanities courses that connect the threads of social studies, literature and culture both chronologically and geographically. The result is a picture of the human experience that makes sense. In addition to the core Humanities courses, students will explore a broad range of challenging science, math and elective courses.

Because students have different entry points into World Language curriculum (some begin in Middle School), students are encouraged to consider taking five years of world language. Our minimum requirement is that students take four years of world language (including at least two years in high school). Two years of required physical education and health may be taken in place of an elective, as an after school class or a summer class.  While specific upper level math and science courses are not administered through the Humanities curriculum, Humanities students are required to take math and science courses in each year of high school.

All Humanities core courses are honors level, or AP, and will lead to an Advanced Studies Diploma with a special Humanities seal.  Colleges look favorably on students who participate in an academically rigorous program.

**Students are required to complete 2 years of Health/PE and 1 year of Personal Finance/Economics. Students who wish to optimize their schedule for elective opportunities should consider completing those requirements through online and/or summer coursework.