The History Department at BCD strives to teach students the skills necessary to research, write, and defend a significant history research paper. Students become familiar with world events and diverse worldwide cultures, possessing an understanding of, and ability to, interpret current events as they occur. At every grade level we also try to develop responsible citizens of the world.

In the Middle and Upper Schools, social studies and history units are thematic. In addition to oral presentations in each grade the children learn through sensory experiences. The Kindergarten room is transformed into a rain forest as students learn about regions of the world that have rain forests. In Grade 6, geography students bring in food and creative displays, wear costumes and play music to augment reports that explain the part of the world on which they are reporting. In addition to reading and studying Medieval Europe, students in Grade 8 travel to the Cloisters and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Art and music, even gym classes, reflect the social and history studies of each grade at some point in the year.

Inter-departmental work at school enlivens BCD's history program in many ways. The shop teacher works with Grade 5 students to create clay tablets. When the second grade studies Mexico, the science teacher has the students study the animals of Mexico. In Grades 5-9, the English department reads literature and poetry about the time periods students are studying in history. This is in addition to the literature the students read in history class.

Highlights:

• In the Early Childhood Division and in Grade 1 each student has a Star Day, which recognizes and celebrates the individual and uniqueness of the student's family and experiences
• The Early Childhood and Lower School classes study the issue of peace and peacemakers. Students also celebrate whatever holidays BCD's student families celebrate, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Theresa
• In Grade 7 the issue of slavery from colonization thru the Civil War and Reconstruction Period is studied
• Comparative world religions are introduced in Grade 4
• Study of different religions in different cultures is done in Grades 5 and 8
• Geography is studied in Grade 6
• Immigration is studied in Grade 7
• Different cultures are discussed in ninth grade in a variety of ways including current events
• World cultures are studied throughout the entire school