Takeaways from SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Edison Prep AP History Boot Camps

Learn everything you need to ace the AP U.S and World History Exams in one day

Every April, Edison Prep offers AP US and World History Bootcamps in preparation for the May AP exams. These bootcamps incorporate multiple learning activities that use actual past AP exams, effective writing strategies, and activities that keep students engaged while learning test-taking techniques. The history content portions are interspersed between the strategy and essay-writing portions of the bootcamp to maintain a lively atmosphere and to utilize real examples during the pedagogical portions.

Listen to the Sponsor Spotlight HERE before or after you review the key takeaways, topic breakdowns, and questions answered from this episode.

Key Takeaways

• Edison Prep offers 14th annual AP US and World History boot camps, running for one 8-hour day on April 26th or 27th

• Taught by highly qualified AP graders/trainers, the camps blend content and strategy to boost exam performance

• Camps serve students across 15+ states, both in-person and virtually, with shipped study materials

• AP exam scores increasingly important for college admissions as external validation of student performance

Topical Breakdown

Boot Camp Origins and Evolution

• Started 14 years ago after parents noticed discrepancy between high class grades and low AP exam scores

• Initially skeptical, but grew to serve 1,200+ students over the years

• Adapted curriculum 7 times to match AP exam changes

• Expanded from AP US History to include AP World History

Boot Camp Structure and Content

• One 8-hour day (Saturday or Sunday) in late April

• Alternates between content modules and strategy sessions

• Includes live thesis statement generation and critiquing

• Ships hard copy materials (rubrics, content packets, summaries)

• Taught by Greg Hudson (AP US) and Kelsey Hudson (AP World) - both experienced AP graders/trainers

Student Demographics and Reach

• Approximately 50% local students, 50% from ~15 different states

• Attracts students through word-of-mouth and family recommendations

• Offers both in-person and virtual options to accommodate different needs (e.g., prom conflicts)

Value Proposition

• Potential for significant ROI through earned college credits

• Helps students navigate first major cumulative subject test

• Provides external validation of AP performance for college admissions

• Offers parents peace of mind and structured study time for students

Future Expansion Plans

• Considering adding AP Economics and Psychology boot camps

• Focus on social studies APs that can be effectively taught in a day-long format

Next Steps

• Interested students/parents should visit EdisonPrep.com/APHistory for more information and registration

• Boot camps scheduled for April 26th and 27th, 2025

• Students choose either AP US History or AP World History, attending one 8-hour session

Q&A

AP History Boot Camps

What are Edison Prep's AP US and World History boot camps?

• 14th annual program

• One 8-hour day (Saturday or Sunday) in late April

• Covers content and strategy for AP US/World History exams

• Taught by experienced AP teachers/graders

• Available in-person and virtually

• Includes study materials shipped to students

What's the story behind these boot camps?

• Started 14 years ago after parents noticed disconnect between high class grades and low AP scores

• Initially skeptical it would work, but now served over 1200 students

• Adapts to curriculum changes over the years

Who typically attends these boot camps?

• About half local students, half from ~15 other states

• Often first AP exam for many students

• For students at all score levels aiming for credit

What makes these boot camps unique?

• Longest-running program taught by active AP teachers/graders

• More comprehensive than shorter programs taught by recent students

• Focuses on history APs which are easier to cover in one day

Are you expanding to other AP subjects?

• Considering Econ and Psych as next potential subjects

• Some subjects like Calculus too complex for one-day format

Do you guarantee scores?

• Cannot guarantee 5s

• Aim to help improve scores for credit at various college levels