Parkview High School Advanced Placement Social Studies

  • AP Level Classes

    AP Social Studies classes are for the motivated student. All assignments are done at the college level. Very little emphasis is put on daily work. Instead, the bulk of the students grade comes from tests that often cover anywhere from three to six weeks of material. Students are expected to study material not presented in class.

    Social Studies Advanced Placement courses provide Parkview students the opportunity to try college level work while still in a high school setting. If the student receives a “qualifying” grade on the AP Exam there is the possibility that the college they choose to enter will give course credit or advanced placement for their efforts. It should also be noted that some colleges and universities do not honor credit for AP course work.

    It is important for both the student and the parent to understand that these courses require a different level of commitment that is beyond what is normally required for honors level courses. The following are typical expectations for Social Studies AP courses:

    • Grades for the course will primarily be determined by test scores with very little emphasis placed on daily requirements.
    • Units of testing and the amount of material covered between tests will be much broader than students have previously experienced.
    • Reading of the text and supplemental readings are expected to be maintained by the student.
    • Many classes will require outside reading material and research, the cost of which must be incurred by the student.
    • Summer readings are required for some courses.
    • There is often a commitment required by some teachers for after school and possibly even weekend study sessions in the two to three weeks prior to the national exam.

    The Gwinnett County Board of Education has added an extra 10 points to the final grade earned in all AP courses. This is an attempt to compensate for the difficulty required by the curriculum of each of these courses. Students should not expect similar grades received in honors classes.