1. Cass High School Advanced Placement®️ Night
March 27, 2019

2. AGENDA What is AP®️? AP®️ Courses Facts vs. Myths Human Geography
Supports
AP®️ Pathway

3. Welcome! Judith Cunningham Lead Counselor & AP®️ Coordinator
Kristen Martin
Assistant Principal for Curriculum & Instruction
Steve Revard
Principal

4. Advanced Placement®: The Basics
College-level courses offered in high school
Reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses
AP® Exams demonstrate mastery and potentially earn college credit
85% of selective institutions worldwide report favorable impacts on college admission*
The Advanced Placement program allows students to take college-level classes while still in high school, potentially earning credit for both the high school course and the college course at the same time, decreasing the time and expense of college later on. There are courses that appeal to a wide range of interest and backgrounds. This gives students the chance to get a head start on college coursework, and tells colleges that you are ready for the challenge when you apply to get in. Another benefit that tends to be especially attractive to parents is the money saved by not having to pay for these courses in college.
Rather than just taking my word for it, we’ve brought in some of our best and brightest from the graduating class of 2018 to share with you what the AP Program did for them.
*Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research, Inc., March, 2007

5. Former AP®️ Students and Scholars
Grant Morris
Kennesaw State University
Morgan Hughes
Dillon Wilhoit
University of North Georgia
Macy Wright
Georgia Institute of Technology

6. Our AP® Courses
English: English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition
History and Social Sciences: European History, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Psychology, U.S. Government, U.S. History, World History
Mathematics and Computer Science: Calculus AB, Statistics
Science: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science
World Language: Spanish Language & Culture 15

7. Is AP®️ right for me? Teacher recommendation Standardized test results
AP Potential
Student interest
There are several ways for a student to register for AP courses
Some registrations are a result of teacher recommendation. Teachers are on the front lines with your children and probably know their drive and academic strengths better than anyone else.
Though standardized test results do not tell the full story, they can sometimes help us find hidden potential by identifying strengths that we may not be able to see in the classroom.
AP Potential is a College Board program that utilizes PSAT and SAT results to identify which AP course a student is most suited for.
Student interest is just as important as any of the above. You don't need to be top of your class to be an AP️ student, but you'll want to be prepared for the AP️ course you choose. A little motivation and positive attitude goes a long way toward achieving success.

8. AP®: Myths + Realities Myths Reality
AP®️ courses are for students who always get good grades.
AP®️ courses are for any students who are academically prepared and motivated to take college-level courses.
AP®: Myths + Realities
AP®️ courses are too stressful.
It’s no secret that AP®️ courses are challenging. But the support you receive from your classmates and teachers can help you manage the work load.
*AP️ courses are for any student who is motivated to take on college-level courses.
*Yes, AP courses are challenging…but the support students receive from throughout the pathway help students build confidence and learn the essential time management and study skills needed to be successful.
*No – the majority of AP️ students at CHS are in at least one extracurricular program
AP®️ courses will take over my life.
The majority of AP®️ students at Cass High School are in at least one extracurricular program.

9. AP®: Myths + Realities Myths Reality
I don’t think I will score high enough on the AP Exam to get college credit.
You don’t need to score a 5. Many colleges grant credit and placement based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.
AP®: Myths + Realities
Bartow students have an extra 5 points added to their course average for AP. These courses show colleges that you are willing to challenge yourself academically.
Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA.
*You don’t have to score a 5, or even a 4 in some cases. Many colleges grant credit based on a 3 or better on an AP️ exam. And even if you don’t earn credit, the courses still provide the experience of taking a college-level class.
*Many schools use GPA weighting to acknowledge the additional effort required by AP️. The decision to take AP️ shows college admissions officers a willingness to take on the academic challenge of college-level coursework and expectations. – A in regular vs. B in AP example
I can’t take AP because no one has recommended me.
If you think you’re ready to take an AP course, then you’re ready to advocate for yourself.

10. AP® Human Geography Ms. Guilford Social Studies Department Chair
AP U.S. History teacher
AP Psychology teacher
AP Human Geography teacher

11. Human Geography Description Topics Best course to get started
Socioeconomic organization
Environmental Consequences
National Geography Standards
Population and Migration
Political Organization of Space
Cultural Patterns and Processes
AP Human Geography Course Overview
The AP Human Geography course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography. The course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. The curriculum reflects the goals of the National Geography Standards (2012).
PREREQUISITE There are no prerequisites for AP Human Geography. Students should be able to read college-level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing.
Goals of AP Human Geography Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
• Interpret maps and analyze geospatial data;
• Understand and explain the implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places;
• Recognize and interpret the relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis;
• Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process; and
• Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.
Topic Outline for AP Human Geography The AP Human Geography course is organized around seven major topics:
• Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives
• Population and Migration
• Cultural Patterns and Processes
• Political Organization of Space
• Agriculture, Food Production, and Rural Land Use
• Industrialization and Economic Development

12. Why Cass High School: AP® Pathway

13. Why Cass High School: AP® Support
Our school offers these resources and programs to support our AP®️ students:
Your teacher
College Board website, books, practice tests
Mobile apps: test prep, tutoring programs
Study sessions
AP®️ Progress Checks
AP®️ Progress Dashboard
AP®️ Question Bank
*AP teachers are trained to provide support in their content area. They go through a rigorous program that ensures they have the tools necessary to help their students be successful.
*College Board
*There are free mobile apps designed specifically to provide support for AP courses.
*Teachers spend time before school, after school, and on Saturdays leading review sessions to help students prepare for the AP Exam.
Personal Progress Checks (more for students)
AP️ Progress Checks use questions to measure student progress through each unit and throughout the year. Not only does this provide practice, but it also includes rationales to explain correct and incorrect answers so that you know what you need to work on.
Progress Dashboard (more for teachers)
The progress dashboard helps teachers identify areas where support is needed and where students are excelling.
AP️ Question Bank
Teachers have access to a database of real AP️ questions.

14. Thank you for joining us!