Social Studies
Courtroom drama and psych experiments encouraged here.
Budding entrepreneurs and war game enthusiasts are welcomed and challenged by the social studies department at De Smet Jesuit. Committed to college readiness and real-world application, our teachers focus on communication and collaboration skills both in the classroom, on trips to New York and civil war battlegrounds, and in clubs such as Mock Trial, History Club, and Ignatian Business Leaders.
- Real World
- Life Skills
taught to ensure success outside the classroom
- 60+%
- students in college credit classes
Seniors love AP Psychology and sophomores can take AP World Studies.
- Essay Masters
We emphasize solid writing skills and notetaking to prepare students.
- $4,429
- concession stand profits
earned by students in Ignatian Business Leaders
- ACT success
We closely adhere to ACT reading and writing standards.
- $2
- Rent a tie
Business students help with dress code responsibilities.
- NYC
- Wall Street
New York and beyond for business and history field trips.
Social Studies Curriculum
Sophomore Year
- AP Honors World Studies
- World Studies
Junior Year
- America Comes of Age
- AP/ACC Honors American History
- Economics
- Foundations of American Society
- Psychology
Senior Year
- AP/ACC Honors Government Studies
- ACC Honors International Studies
- AP/ACC Honors Psychology
- Economics
- Modern American Society
- Psychology
Summer Electives
- Civil War
- Modern European History
- Vietnam War
- WWII
Spartans tour New York City to enjoy the sites, network with alumni, and explore the reality of future careers in business.
Students and alumni make a case for collaboration in the courtroom.
Social Studies Faculty

Bryan Traughber
Class of 1997
Teacher/Head Cross Country Coach/Head Track Coach, Assistant Athletic Director
MA, History, University of Missouri-St. Louis
BA, History, Truman State University
BA, History, Truman State University

Aidan Gillespie
Class of 2006
Teacher
BA, University of Notre Dame
MEd, Loyola University-Chicago
MS, St. Louis University
MEd, Loyola University-Chicago
MS, St. Louis University

Josh Klein
Class of 1997
Teacher/Head Soccer Coach
MS, Sports Psychology, Florida State University
BA, Psychology, Rhodes College
BA, Psychology, Rhodes College

John Merritt
Head Football Coach and Teacher
BA, History/Education/African and African-American Studies, Washington University

Matt Mohan
Class of 1982
Teacher
BA, History, University of Missouri-St. Louis
BS, Secondary Education, University of Missouri-St. Louis
BS, Secondary Education, University of Missouri-St. Louis

Chris Welling
Teacher
LLM, De Paul University College of Law
JD, St. Louis University
BA, History, St. Louis University School of Law
JD, St. Louis University
BA, History, St. Louis University School of Law