A Tradition of Learning and Leadership

Junior Statesmen Summer School at Princeton University Princeton, NJ July 11 - August 1                 AP US History: July 4 - August 1 Specialized Program at Princeton AP United States History Freshman Scholars

Summer School students attending our sessions at Princeton explore the world of politics while enjoying the scholarly, academic environment of an Ivy League university.

In class, Our program at Princeton offers the core program in AP U.S. Government & Politics, while students who have completed advanced coursework in U.S. Government or AP U.S. History may select a concentration in AP Macroeconomics, War & Diplomacy , Speech & Political Communications , International Relations , or Constitutional Law.

Lectures, impromptu and prepared speeches combine to enhance your skills of persuasion and argumentation, build your confidence and make you a more effective communicator no matter what your skill level.  The Political Communication course is designed for experienced public speakers who want to apply their skills in the political arena

In nightly Congressional Workshop debates, Summer School students argue their political opinions with their peers. Issues you might discuss range from global trade policy and homeland security to gun control.

An exciting Speakers Program on campus and in New York City introduces you to leaders who make and influence public policy.  Previous guests have included members of Congress, U.N. ambassadors, New York City leaders, journalists and university scholars.  The Big Apple offers up a number of themes for exploration – foreign affairs, the role of the media in politics and the challenges facing urban America, to name a few.

On a cultural trip to New York City, students choose from a variety of activities organized by Summer School staff - viewing the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, shopping on Fifth Avenue, exploring the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Little Italy and Greenwich Village, visiting the bright lights of Times Square or catching a Broadway show.

Specialized Programs At Princeton

AP United States History
at Princeton University

A unique combination of rigorous academics and hands-on learning

Learn about United States history on the fourth oldest college campus in the country.   Students take AP United States History, equal to a full year, two semester course. The AP U.S. History class provides students with both the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to explore problems and issues of U.S. history.  You learn to analyze historical documents and consider the evidence and interpretations of historical scholarship.

Students attend the U.S. History class in the morning and afternoon, allowing for a variety of hands-on learning activities.  This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examination in U.S. History in May.

In addition, Congressional Workshop debates allow you to discuss the great questions of U.S. history, like the goals of the Founding Fathers, the debate over states rights, U.S. foreign policy, civil rights and liberties, past immigration policies, and more.

Discover the places where history took place: Students will have special cultural and historic trips to New York City and Philadelphia to explore the places where United States history happened.  These are designed to create an interactive learning environment that supplements and enhances what students learn in the classroom.  View the Liberty Bell on the same day you read and discuss the Declaration of Independence; tour Ellis Island with your professor to learn first hand about U.S. immigration policies.

Freshman Scholars
At Princeton University

With a smaller student body, the Freshman Scholars program is designed for students entering the ninth grade.  This program fosters a close-knit, supportive and intellectual environment for the exploration of political leadership.  This program brings together academically talented students from across the country who are looking for a challenging and enriching summer experience. 

The curriculum includes AP U.S. Government in the morning and Congressional Workshop in the afternoon and evening.  Students will have daily structured study time and special interactive learning opportunities designed to foster a close-knit learning environment.  Applicants should have an expected high school graduation year of 2014.

Students in the AP U.S. History and Freshman Scholars Programs participate in a variety of on campus activities with the other Junior Statesmen students, including the Speakers program, college admissions meetings, and social activities.