For the first year, Helix Charter High School is offering students the opportunity to take Human Geography for AP credit. Read below to learn more about Advanced Placement Human Geography.
The AP Human Geography Exam covers Human Geography content from a college-level course. The AP Human Geography Exam is an exam administered on May 5th to determine how well a student has mastered the content. Students who pass the exam with a score of Ò 3 or betterÓ earn 3 semester units of college credit (from most colleges/universities).
In the classroom instruction, there is essentially no difference. All students are taking an Honors level course using a college text as has been the norm for over 20 years at Helix. Honors students will complete approximately 60-70 percent of the textbook instruction during the term. AP Human Geography students will attend additional evening and Intersession tutorials to learn the reminder of the curriculum in order to better prepare for the AP Human Geography Exam. Therefore, AP Human Geography students will be learning additional geography curriculum that is not covered during regular class time. In addition, students who attend the AP Human Geography tutorials and take the exam will have their official school transcript modified to read AP Human Geography instead of Geography 1H/2H. Students who have taken an AP exam, typically, have more experience and preparation for future AP exams.
In order to best prepare for the exam, additional time out of the classroom is needed to prepare students for the exam.
á AP Human Geography tutorials will occur on MondayÕs from 5 Ð 8pm in Room 20 (beginning on February 2nd).
á In addition, other tutorials will be offered on March 18, 19 (Intersession Ð time/TBD);
á (There may be tutorials offered on April 8,9,12,13) Ð unknown at this time
á AP Human Geography Review sessions will be held April 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and May 3 Ð from 5 Ð 8pm (dinner will be provided each evening by teachers)
Although no tutorial work counts towards a studentÕs classroom grade, students wishing to earn AP Human Geography credit will need to complete assignments in order to adequately prepare for tutorials and the AP Human Geography Exam. In addition to the tutorials stated above, it can be expected that AP Human Geography students will average an additional 5 hours of studying per week. As part of the tutorials, the teachers plan to organize students into study groups to help them with the additional content. The week before the actual AP Human Geography Exam, students will be working many more hours preparing for the exam, however, Honors Geography homework will be modified.
The fee for taking the AP Human Geography Exam is $82 and is due sometime in March. Students seeking a Òfee waiverÓ should complete the form at the AP meeting. A Òfee waiverÓ lowers the fee to $15.
Teachers have the two optional books in the library for checkout, however, students may wish to obtain their own copy. See page 2 of syllabus for more information.
For more information about AP Human Geography, attend parent/student meeting on Monday, February 2nd 5pm in Room 20.