The Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum is a free K-12 American history and civics curriculum from Hillsdale College. It provides nearly 2,500 pages of lesson plans, primary sources, and teaching materials emphasizing founding principles, the Constitution, and honest examination of American history.
What is the Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum?
The Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum is a comprehensive K-12 American history and civics curriculum released by Hillsdale College in July 2021. Developed by college professors and experienced educators from Hillsdale's affiliated classical schools, it provides complete lesson plans, assignments, quizzes, primary source documents, and teaching guidance. The curriculum treats the Declaration of Independence as a 'guiding star for political life' while comprehensively addressing difficult history—including over 3,300 references to slavery. All materials are completely free and available for download by anyone.
Key Takeaways
- Completely free—all 2,500+ pages available for download without registration
- Covers kindergarten through 12th grade American history and civics
- Created by Hillsdale professors and classical school teachers, not political activists
- Uses Socratic questioning and classical education methodology
- Includes 3,300+ references to slavery and honest treatment of historical struggles
What's Included
Each grade level includes complete lesson plans with 'Keys to the Lesson' teacher supports, student-ready primary source documents, assignments and assessments, study guides, and Hillsdale-vetted book recommendations. Current coverage spans Colonial America through modern era, with planned expansion to include the Gilded Age, Progressive Era, Great Depression, World Wars, Cold War, and contemporary America. By 2026, Hillsdale plans to add a searchable database of maps and sources plus 5+ hours of free professional development videos for teachers.
Educational Philosophy
The curriculum operates from classical education principles and a perspective that America is 'an exceptionally good country' whose founding principles have worked to overcome historical evils. Students learn to evaluate public questions through the lens of natural rights articulated in the Declaration of Independence. The approach emphasizes enduring ideas, source-based learning, and thoughtful discussion rather than rote memorization. While positioned as conservative-leaning (often referenced as an alternative to the 1619 Project), the curriculum directly addresses slavery, racism, and civil rights violations throughout.
Using It in Your Homeschool
Access all materials at k12.hillsdale.edu with no registration required. Download grade-level PDFs and teaching guides, then structure your year around the provided lesson plans. The curriculum complements other subjects—pair it with your existing literature, writing, and geography programs. For families following a four-year history cycle (Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern), the 1776 Curriculum integrates during American history years or as supplementary civics education throughout.
The Bottom Line
The Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum represents a remarkable free resource for families wanting rigorous, primary-source-based American history education. The classical approach develops genuine historical thinking rather than memorization, while the comprehensive treatment of difficult history counters criticism that it whitewashes the American story. For homeschoolers seeking quality civics and history instruction without cost barriers, this curriculum deserves serious consideration.
