Student Residencies
The Academy for American Democracy (TAAD) is The New York Historical's free educational initiative for 6th grade classes focusing on history and civics. Students learn how the concept of democracy—crafted by ancient Athenians—inspired the American founders and then trace the evolution of American democracy from the drafting of the Constitution to the present day.
Residency formats
Museum Residencies
Our museum becomes your school! Four consecutive days of instruction in our museum galleries and classrooms.
In-School Residencies
Our museum educators come to your classroom to teach our lessons over several class periods.
Virtual Residencies
Our museum educators meet with your students over Zoom over several class periods.
The Learning Experience
Through experiential learning, artmaking, writing, and theater activities, your students are immersed in a process of creative discovery to consider how and why democracy has changed over time and the value of active civic participation. Students engage in close examinations of artifacts, art, and documents pulled from our vast collections (and those of our cultural partners) to critically examine democracy as it was practiced in ancient Athens, adapted at the United States’ founding, and reshaped by generations of Americans in the centuries since.
Students are empowered to ask big questions, think critically, and explore their own roles as civic actors. At the end of the residency, participating students create a final project that creatively synthesizes what they have learned.
The Academy for American Democracy supports the New York City curriculum standards for Social Studies and Civics.
Residency Logistics, Details, and Requirements
Applications:
A few slots for our Museum residencies are still available for the 2025-2026 school year, but space is filling quickly. There is greater availability for In-School and Virtual residencies. Apply here!
Cost
Thanks to generous support, we are able to provide this $5,500 program free of charge to all participating schools.
Testimonials
“I learned how important voting is. We have to speak up for ourselves and have our own opinions. We have to think long and hard about them.”
“In a democracy, the choice you make can affect how you and others live. When you have the option to make a choice, you can’t take it for granted.”
“When we got to debate it made the topics feel important, and we learned how to persuade.”
“It was the best week, the best time we spent all school year. I left the experience feeling like I was a part of something big. The students did something really significant for the four days. They are dying to do it again.”
