(Sources: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2022 Civics Assessment Results (Grade 8, U.S. Department of Education and RAND Corporation, American Educator Panels Survey, 2020.)
Third Grade: Gift of History (Successful Pilot Program)
The journey begins with community. In Orange County, over 30,000 third graders each year participate in Gift of History, a program introducing students to civic identity, local government, and belonging. This successful local pilot informs the design, scalability, and impact of programs as they expand nationally.
Fifth Grade: Preparing for the National Civics Bee (National model informed by the successful third-grade program)
Building on this model, the fifth grade program expands nationally. A new companion book and digital curriculum follow characters preparing for the National Civics Bee, connecting lessons about community, government, and public service to meaningful civic participation. Aligned to history and civics standards, the program provides students across the country a clear, age-appropriate path to becoming active, informed citizens.
Middle school students engage with the National Civics Bee, hosted regionally at the Nixon Library and by partners nationwide. The Bee challenges students to demonstrate civic knowledge through collaboration and competition, bringing classroom lessons to life.
This experience builds directly on the fifth-grade program: what began as a story about civic participation becomes an opportunity for students to see themselves as active participants in democracy, reinforcing the lessons from the earlier companion book and cultivating familiarity with national civic engagement.
High school students engage in Project Searchlight, a national storytelling challenge. Students create short films exploring civic questions, such as “What does it mean to be a citizen in a free society?” Finalists gather at the Nixon Library for a national showcase, where creativity and civic reflection meet. Their schools receive mini-grants to expand local civic learning, ensuring that each student’s work sparks broader community impact.
Behind every engaged student is a prepared teacher. Yet most social studies teachers report feeling under-equipped to teach civics effectively. NCA addresses this need.
Each summer, the We the Teachers program, developed with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, brings teachers across the nation to the Nixon Library for five days of deep learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Participants leave with renewed confidence, historical content knowledge, and practical tools to bring civics to life.
Graduates are selected as Civic Fellows—one each year—who engage a nationwide community of educators, mentoring peers, contributing resources, and helping expand civic learning in their districts. By investing in teachers in this way, ACA amplifies its impact far beyond the Library walls.
Support the future of civics education
Leave a lasting legacy with the American Civics Campaign through a meaningful naming opportunity. Whether honoring an individual, family, or organization, your support will be recognized in ways that inspire others and help strengthen democracy for generations to come.
For information about naming opportunities, contact Brenda St. Hilaire.
Donations
Contact Brenda St. Hilaire, Senior Consultant, Development
Phone (714) 514-8888
To Learn more about educational initiatives:
Contact Chris Lowe,
Trish O’Donnell Director of Education
Phone (714) 254-5146
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