Welcome to AP United States History (APUSH)! You are about to embark on a rigorous but incredibly rewarding journey through the narrative of American history. To set ourselves up for a successful year and hit the ground running in August, you have a brief summer textbook and reading assignment to complete.
Please review the required textbook details and your first official assignment below.
📚 Required Textbook Information
You will need to secure your own copy of the course text before the first day of school. Please pay close attention to the specific edition required:
- Title: AMSCO Advanced Placement United States History, 4th Edition
- Critical Note 1: It must be the AMSCO brand book.
- Critical Note 2: It must be the 4th Edition to match our class curriculum and page numbers.
🛒 Where to Buy:
- From Current Students (Recommended): Reach out to this year’s APUSH students! Buying a used copy directly from a peer is often the fastest and most affordable option.
- Amazon: Prices are typically very low during the month of May, so check online soon if you plan to buy new or used there.
- Direct from Publisher: You can order a brand-new copy directly from Perfection Learning, though it may be more expensive.👉 Perfection Learning Publisher Link
📝 Your Summer Assignment
Your goal before our first day of class in August is to dive into Period 1.
- Read: Read all of Period 1 (Pages 1–30) in your AMSCO textbook.
- Take Notes: Synthesize your reading into exactly one page of notes (the front and back of a single physical sheet of paper).
- Organize: You must divide your notes clearly by topic. Because there are seven distinct topics in Unit 1, your paper should have seven clearly labeled sections.
📅 Due Date: This completed, one-page (front/back) set of organized notes is due the very first day of class in August. It will count as your first grade of the new school year!
💡 Quick Tips for APUSH Success
| Tip | Description |
| Be Concise | Fitting 30 pages of history onto two sides of a single sheet of paper requires you to focus on big concepts, key terms, and major historical shifts rather than copying full sentences. |
| Don’t Wait | Secure your book before summer break officially starts so you don’t have to worry about shipping delays in July. |
We are excited to have you in the program next year. Enjoy your summer, get a head start on Period 1, and we will see you in August!
