About
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is published by the Center for Civic Education, which describes its education as non-partisan and rooted in the Constitution. The curriculum covers the history and principles of constitutional democracy at several levels: an elementary text for grades 3 to 5, Level 1 for upper elementary, Level 2 for middle school (with a Spanish edition), and Level 3 for high school. The program culminates in simulated congressional hearings, with state competitions and a national finals each spring. The textbooks are sold through Gibbs Smith Education, and the Center also publishes Project Citizen, a public-policy project program.
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Our deep read on We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution (Center for Civic Education)
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A comprehensive constitutional-democracy curriculum from the Center for Civic Education for elementary, middle, and high school students, ending in a simulated congressional hearing. The textbooks are sold through Gibbs Smith Education.
Last updated: 2026-10-04 · Every Homeschool Editorial Team
At a glance
| Method | Textbook series with a hearing-style culminating activity; subject specialist |
| Worldview | Faith-neutral (the publisher states no worldview; the Center describes its education as non-partisan) |
| Grades | 3-12 |
| Formats | Print student editions |
| Cost tier | Budget (student editions $26.00 to $62.00 at Gibbs Smith Education, retrieved October 2026) |
| Parent intensity | 3 |
| ESA-common | Not verified |
| Accredited | Not applicable |
| Established | Not stated for the program; the Center was founded in 1965 |
| Website | civiced.org |
Our scoreboard (1-5)
| Criterion | Score | One-line reason |
|---|---|---|
| Academic rigor | 4 | Covers the history and principles of constitutional democracy at four levels, per the Center |
| Ease of teaching | 3 | Student editions and a hearing format; a parent or co-op leader organizes the hearing |
| Content quality | 4 | The Level 3 high school text is described as an in-depth study of government, citizenship, and constitutional democracy |
| Flexibility | 3 | Levels by grade band; the hearing suits a co-op or group |
| Value for money | 4 | Level 3 student edition $62.00 and Level 1 $28.00 at Gibbs Smith Education |
| Worldview scope | 4 | No religious statement on the pages read; the Center describes its education as non-partisan and rooted in the Constitution, a Constitution-centered framing |
| Visual/design | 3 | Not assessed beyond the publisher's own description |
| Support resources | 4 | State competitions, a national finals, lesson plans, and a Civil Discourse Toolkit are listed on the site |
Who the publisher is
The Center for Civic Education describes its mission as cultivating an informed and thoughtful citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy, and it describes its education as fiercely non-partisan and rooted in the Constitution. Its annual report text says the Center was founded in 1965. The same page reports 50 million students engaged and 440,000 teachers trained, which are the Center's own figures.
The core pedagogy
We the People covers the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States for elementary, middle, and high school students and culminates with simulated congressional hearings. State competitions run across the country, and a national finals takes place each spring in the Washington, D.C., area, along with a virtual National Invitational for middle- and high-school students. The Center also publishes Project Citizen, a policy-focused program in which participants work as a group to identify and study a community problem and produce a portfolio.
A day in the life
The program is built around a student textbook for each level and culminates in simulated congressional hearings, where students testify before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress.
What they do exceptionally well
The culminating hearing has students testify before a panel of judges, which the EH civics guide describes as a setting for oral argument and defending a position. The series spans four levels from grade 3 to grade 12, plus a Spanish edition of Level 2.
What they do poorly
- The Research and Evaluation page names one featured report, a 2025 white paper on experiential civic learning, and no outcome study of this program in the text read.
- The textbooks are sold through a separate retailer, and the Center's program page lists no price.
Who it fits / who it doesn't
The EH civics guide describes the program as the most academically demanding option it covers and the least packaged for solo use, suited to a motivated student or a co-op setting. The guide adds that it rewards a family that wants depth on the Constitution and oral argument rather than a worksheet course.
Cost honest assessment
Student editions at Gibbs Smith Education (retrieved October 2026): the Primary Elementary text for grades 3-5 is $26.00, Level 1 is $28.00, Level 2 is $42.00, and Level 3 is $62.00. The Spanish Level 2 edition is $45.00.
ESA eligibility notes
Not verified for this publisher in October 2026. ESA reimbursement depends on the state program and its vendor lists; see the ESA by state guide.
Alternatives
- iCivics: free civics games and lessons for kindergarten through grade 12, listed in the EH directory as faith-neutral.
- Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum: a free K-12 curriculum published by Hillsdale College, listed in the EH directory as faith-neutral.
- Exploring Government (Notgrass): a one-semester high school government course, listed in the EH directory as Christian · Evangelical.
- Khan Academy: a free online platform with video lessons and practice exercises across several subjects.
Signature products
- Level 3 high school text
- Simulated congressional hearing
- Project Citizen
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