The Social Studies K-12 curriculum is aligned with the New York State Social Studies Framework (2016) and the National C3 Standards (College, Career, and Civic Life). It is a robust curriculum that is inquiry- based and develops deep content knowledge and 21st century skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving; examining conflict and resolution, cause and effect, and similarities and differences. It also provides a strong foundation in citizenship and civic readiness.

The YPS Social Studies program, through its alignment to college and careers and the NYS assessments, develops students’ understanding of patterns in history, turning points in history, change over time, and multiple points-of-view. In YPS, the study of Social Studies includes learning about significant ideas, people, places, eras, themes, and developments at local, regional, national and international levels, including the City of Yonkers. Historical inquiry and the integration of technology are important aspects of the curriculum. Students actively engage in learning about the rights, roles and responsibilities of citizenship; government systems and structures; democracy; the Constitution and its foundation; and the origins of the United States. The Social Studies curriculum includes the study of global issues, world geography, and world history.

Throughout the K-12 continuum, students learn the skills of gathering, interpreting and using evidence; analyzing cause and effect; comparing and contrasting; using geographic and historical reasoning; civic participation; and economics and economic systems.

The Yonkers Public Schools is a leader in New York State in integrating Civic Readiness through its membership on the New York State Civic Readiness Commission and leadership in the Seal of Civic Readiness. During the 2022-2023 academic year, all eight Yonkers high schools graduated students with this designation.