Academic course · Grades 9–12
Understanding Elections & Civic Participation
A student-led look at how American democracy works, from who can run to how votes are counted. Students read primary sources, debate fairly and finish with a civic project of their own. The course is strictly nonpartisan.
- 8 weeks
- 1 live class a week
- 1.5–2 hours
- Canvas modules
- Graded with feedback
- $350 / month
The course
Democracy, examined up close
Each week begins with live instruction and a full work cycle. The Guide sets up a question with real ballots, court decisions and data, and students work through it in seminar, debate and small research teams.
How elections are run
Federal, state and local roles, registration, primaries, general elections, and how votes are counted and certified.
Who can run
Qualifications, filing rules, ballot access, independents and third parties, and what it takes to become a candidate.
Campaigns and media
Strategy, messaging, finance rules, advertising and polling, with a media-literacy lab on checking claims and sources.
Voting rights and access
The amendments, laws and court cases that expanded the vote, and the questions about access people discuss today.
Local elections and reform
City councils, school boards, judges and ballot measures, and the reform debates examined from several sides.
A civic project
Students choose a real local issue, research it, take one age-appropriate civic action and present what they learned.
Week by week
Eight weeks, one live class each week
Between classes, students complete sequenced Canvas modules: short readings, source work and a weekly written response that receives a grade and feedback.
- Week 1
How elections work
The Constitution’s framework, federal and state roles, registration, primaries and how results are certified.
- Week 2
Who can run
Qualifications, filing requirements, ballot access and the role of independents and third parties.
- Week 3
Campaigns
Strategy, volunteers, campaign finance and disclosure. Teams build a plan for a fictional local race.
- Week 4
Campaigns and the media
News, advertising, debates, social media and polling, with a lab on checking claims before sharing them.
- Week 5
Voting rights and access
Landmark amendments, laws and court cases, and current questions about ID, mail voting and polling places.
- Week 6
Local elections
Who decides what in your own community, and how to find out what is on your ballot.
- Week 7
Electoral reform debates
Ranked-choice voting, redistricting, term limits and the Electoral College. Students argue assigned sides with evidence.
- Week 8
Civic participation project
Students finish and present their projects to the class and their families.
Who it is for
A good fit if…
- Students in grades 9–12 who want to understand how government and elections really work
- Students preparing for government, civics or AP coursework
- Debaters, writers and future leaders who want to argue fairly
- Families who want a calm, evidence-based, nonpartisan civics course
Before class
What you need
- A computer with a camera and microphone
- A reliable internet connection
- Canvas access, set up by Quantum Montessori after enrollment
- A notebook for source notes and debate prep
- Time each week for the Canvas module between classes
The Montessori way
Adolescents learn best when the work is real and the community depends on them. Students lead the discussion, choose the issue for their final project and take a real step in their own community. Respectful disagreement is practiced every week, just as it is in our classrooms.
Questions families ask
Good to know
Is the course partisan in any way?
No. We teach how the system works and how to weigh arguments and evidence. Guides never tell students whom or what to support.
How is work graded?
Weekly Canvas responses, debate preparation and the final project are graded with written feedback. Home Guides can see progress in Canvas at any time.
How much work is there between classes?
Plan for about one to two hours a week for the Canvas module: a reading, a short source activity and a written response.
What is the civic action in the final project?
Something age-appropriate and chosen with family approval, such as writing to a local official, attending a public meeting or creating an information guide for neighbors.
How does Family Investment work?
Family Investment is billed monthly. Your first month is paid at enrollment, and we confirm your learner’s group, start date and Canvas access by email.
Enroll
Reserve a seat in Understanding Elections & Civic Participation
Small groups fill quickly. Tell us about your learner, then pay your first month at our secure checkout.
Family Investment
$350/ month
Your first month is paid at enrollment through our secure Stripe checkout. We confirm your learner's group, start date and Canvas access by email.
Questions
Ask about this class
Your message goes straight to the team for Understanding Elections & Civic Participation. We usually reply within one school day.
