The First Advanced Placement Class at BFA

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During the school year of 2013-2014, BFA Global Studies teacher, Mrs. Ledford, will be the only teacher teaching an advanced placement Human Geography history class.

AP Human Geography’s purpose is to shape the human understanding of and use of the earth’s surface.  Students taking the class will study human social organization and its environmental consequences.  AP Human Geography had a failure rate at 48.9% on the exams in 2011.

This will not be Mrs. Ledford’s first time teaching an AP class.  She has also taught two different AP history classes, AP US History and AP Macro-Economics, at Southside High school in Greenville, South Carolina.

To prepare for this class Mrs. Ledford says students need to be proficient readers and writers.  Most importantly students need to enjoy history.

Ledford said she thinks the class will be “not hard but challenging,” and students need to make studying a huge priority for this class.

According to College Board, a non-profit organization that provides students with a path to college, financial support and scholarships, AP courses can help students acquire the skills and habits they need to be successful in college.

AP classes are said to improve writing skills and sharpen problem solving skills. AP classes are also said to develop good time management, self-discipline, and study skills.

Eighty-five percent of selective colleges and universities report that the AP experience favorably impacts admissions decisions.

Dr. Miles, an English teacher at BFA and former AP teacher, suggested that students read a good amount on their own.

“You cannot be a quitter and give up easily,” said Miles. “The whole thought of free college credit is pretty amazing.”

Mrs. Ledford said overall she thinks this will be a good experience for her and her future students