There are countless history course options for incoming sophomores in the 2024-2025 school year, including AP Human Geography, AP African-American Studies, AP Art History, and, most importantly, AP European History.

Taught by both Paul Verbanszky and Ryan Boyd, AP European History has been a part of the Campo curriculum as one of the first AP classes a high school is given the opportunity to take. AP Euro, like other AP classes, moves at a more rigorous pace and explores many aspects of European history and details each event’s global impact.

Verbanszky, a teacher at Campo since 2004, thoroughly appreciates being able to teach the AP Euro curriculum along with the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed to succeed later on to his students. “I enjoy teaching our students at a college level, but I also provide the support they need to have them succeed in the class,” he said.

While the class is lecture-heavy, Mr. Verbansky makes the class entertaining with his fun stories. Sophomore Maddie Collin, explained that Verbansky “makes the lectures personal and connects it back to our lives.”

Not only is the coursework engaging, but students have the opportunity to dive deeper into hands-on projects and activities that simulate real-world situations, such as the Enlightenment Salon, where students dress like 17th century Enlightenment thinkers and debate about corresponding topics and the Age of Exploration Project, where students dress according to their certain assigned country while enjoying delicious food. Former AP Euro student and current junior Giorgia Stankus noted that Verbansky “makes his class really engaging. He throws in projects so you’re not just listening to lectures everyday and you have fun things to do.”

Though the exam in May is quite daunting, it has long-term benefits. “Many more colleges accept it for college credit if one passes the exam. Every year, the majority of AP Euro students pass the AP exam with flying colors,” explained Mr. Verbanszky. “AP Euro focuses on college-level research, analytical, and writing skills and prepares students incredibly well for future AP courses at Campo,” he added.

Because sophomore year is when classes begin to become more challenging and rigorous, students typically pick AP Euro in order to prepare themselves for the challenging coursework ahead. The class is a good first step toward taking more APs in high school. Whether it’s the interesting material, the entertaining projects, the intellectual environment, or the exciting prospect of academic challenge, AP Euro is definitely the next class to mark down on a new sophomore’s schedule.