Gwinnett County Public Schools' social studies program is designed to prepare students to participate as constructive citizens in a democratic society. Student mastery of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) is achieved through an authentic K-12 approach integrating discipline-based content with interpretative skills focused on maps and globes, information processing, social participation, and problem solving.

Students develop a strong understanding of themselves and their role and responsibility in society by discovering the heritage of their nation within a global context. Opportunities are provided for students to relate the past to the present and to build an awareness of the similarities and differences that exist between the nations and cultures of the world.