Ace AP Gov with a 5-Scorer (Summer Course)

SAT Score Range

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12 sessions

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+11

This series ended on August 1, 2025. All 1:1 and group chats related to this series are disabled 7 days after the last session.

About

Are you taking AP U.S. Government and Politics this fall or self studying and want to feel confident from day one? This summer course is your head start.
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Led by a 5-scorer on the AP Gov exam, this weekly group meets for interactive, hour-long sessions that break down the most important ideas, documents, and court cases from Units 1–5 of the course.
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Each session focuses on key topics in the College Board curriculum, containing all the units from the foundations of American democracy to political participation. We’ll explore how power is divided in the U.S., how civil liberties are protected (or not), how Congress works (or doesn’t), and how voting, media, and interest groups shape our political system. 
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Confused about checks and balances? Federalism feel fuzzy? Can't tell your Federalist 10 from your Brutus 1? You're not alone.
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Regardless of your prior knowledge, this group is here to help you build a solid foundation — one clause, case, and concept at a time.
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Have questions about the course? Message me through Schoolhouse or the course page!

Tutored by

Matthew L 🇺🇸

Certified in 11 topics

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Hi, I’m Matthew! Welcome to my profile! I'm a senior in high school from Illinois (US). I am an experienced Senior Tutor on Schoolhouse. Most of my time here is spent on my SAT courses, but I have experience and certifications for topics across the platform. I host rigorous long-term courses designed to build consistency and confidence while reducing stress in your test preparation journey. I have experience guiding students to scores in the 1400s and 1500s, many of whom have now become tutors themselves on Schoolhouse. Outside of tutoring, I play baseball, support the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and play video games. I’m also involved in BPA, Debate, YMSL, NHS, and Mu Alpha Theta (Math NHS). Feel free to reach out with any questions! ________________________________ 🏆 Top 5 in Most Super Helpful Ratings 🏆 Top 10 in Most Schoolhouse Points 🏆 Top 50 in Most Sessions Hosted (out of 30k tutors)

Sessions

✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY

Generally, you may attend sessions as you wish. However, I will remove you if you miss four or more straight sessions.

SESSION 1

16

Jun

SESSION 1

AP United States Government and Politics

Mon 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJun 16, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 1: Foundations of Democracy I – The Birth of American Political Thought
Explore the philosophical roots of American democracy, including natural rights, social contract theory, and popular sovereignty. We’ll examine how the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation reflect these ideals and set the stage for the U.S. Constitution.

SESSION 2

20

Jun

SESSION 2

AP United States Government and Politics

Fri 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJun 20, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 2: Foundations of Democracy II – The Constitution & Federalism Debates
Dive into the debates that shaped the Constitution. We’ll compare Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments through key documents like Federalist 10, Federalist 51, and Brutus 1 — and examine how the Constitution’s structure reflects these competing visions.

SESSION 3

23

Jun

SESSION 3

AP United States Government and Politics

Mon 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJun 23, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 3: Federalism – Power Sharing in the American System
This session covers how power is divided between national and state governments. Learn about different types of federalism, grants and mandates, and landmark cases like McCulloch v. Maryland and U.S. v. Lopez that define the boundaries of federal power.

SESSION 4

27

Jun

SESSION 4

AP United States Government and Politics

Fri 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJun 27, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 4: Congress – The People’s Branch
Unpack the structure and function of the U.S. Congress. We’ll explore the powers of the House and Senate, how laws are made, and the roles of party leadership and committees — plus how different models of representation shape congressional behavior.

SESSION 5

7

Jul

SESSION 5

AP United States Government and Politics

Mon 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJul 7, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 5: The Presidency – Leading the Executive Branch
Learn how presidents use their formal and informal powers to lead, persuade, and influence national policy. We’ll also discuss executive orders, vetoes, and the “bully pulpit” as tools of presidential leadership in the modern era.

SESSION 6

11

Jul

SESSION 6

AP United States Government and Politics

Fri 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJul 11, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 6: The Judiciary – Interpreting the Constitution
Get to know the federal court system and the Supreme Court’s unique role in American government. We’ll cover judicial review, key rulings like Marbury v. Madison, and the tension between judicial activism and restraint.

SESSION 7

14

Jul

SESSION 7

AP United States Government and Politics

Mon 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJul 14, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 7: The Bureaucracy – Who Really Implements the Laws?
Explore how unelected officials in federal agencies carry out the laws passed by Congress. We’ll discuss rulemaking, bureaucratic discretion, and how the bureaucracy interacts with Congress, the courts, and interest groups through iron triangles and issue networks.

SESSION 8

18

Jul

SESSION 8

AP United States Government and Politics

Fri 9:30 PM - 10:15 PM UTCJul 18, 9:30 PM - 10:15 PM UTC

Session 8: Civil Liberties – Protecting Individual Freedoms
This session focuses on the Bill of Rights and the idea of selective incorporation through the 14th Amendment. We’ll look at key Supreme Court cases related to freedom of speech, religion, and the press — and when the government can limit those freedoms.

SESSION 9

21

Jul

SESSION 9

AP United States Government and Politics

Mon 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJul 21, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 9: Civil Rights & Equality – Expanding Access and Justice
Trace the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America. We’ll examine protections for the accused, the right to privacy, and equal protection under the law — including landmark cases like Brown v. Board, Roe v. Wade, and Gideon v. Wainwright.

SESSION 10

25

Jul

SESSION 10

AP United States Government and Politics

Fri 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJul 25, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 10: Political Ideology & Public Opinion – What Americans Believe
Discover how political values and ideologies are formed and how they shape views on major issues. We’ll also explore how public opinion is measured, the science behind polling, and what makes a poll valid or misleading.

SESSION 11

28

Jul

SESSION 11

AP United States Government and Politics

Mon 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCJul 28, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 11: Political Participation – Elections, Voting, and Campaigns
Learn about how citizens participate in democracy through voting and elections. We’ll cover the Electoral College, voter behavior, and how campaigns are funded — including the impact of Citizens United v. FEC on modern political spending.

SESSION 12

1

Aug

SESSION 12

AP United States Government and Politics

Fri 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTCAug 1, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM UTC

Session 12: Political Participation – Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media
Finish strong by exploring the roles of political parties, interest groups, and the media in linking people to government.

Public Discussion

Please log in to see discussion on this series.

Jun 16 - Aug 1

7 weeks

45 - 60 mins

/ session

SCHEDULE

Mondays

9:00PM

Fridays

9:00PM