In years past, Naugatuck High School has offered an abundance of AP Classes such as: Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Literature, and Composition. As of this year, AP Government, instructed by Mr. Nicholas Varanelli, a 5th year history teacher, has been added to that list.  

According to the AP Government curriculum, AP Government students will study constitutional underpinnings, civil liberties and civil rights, political culture and socialization, citizen participation and influence, political institutions and policy making that are the foundation of modern U.S. government and politics.

“AP Government is a lot more of the students having to come up with the big ideas themselves. They will have a lot more independent responsibilities,” AP and U.S History teacher, Nicholas Varanelli stated when discussing the details of the course.

In AP Government, students will also complete a project similar to the Civic Action Project, a project usually taken during their junior year, in which students could select issues related to school, community, or even national that matter to them, connect it to public policy, then take “civic actions” to try to impact their selected issue.

Advanced Placement classes were created by the College Board. The College Board offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations.

Since both seniors and juniors can take AP Government, there is a strong chance that juniors will take this class rather than Civics.

“We just have a slightly different take on it, focusing on the federal level. If you have already taken it you’re going to be partnered with someone who has not, and act as a mentor. We are also looking at UCONN for a program where students will complete a Civic Action Project and present it at UCONN, so some students may want to be involved in doing it again so they can take it to the next step,” continued AP Teacher Nicholas Varanelli in response to questions about the AP Government take on this version of the Civic Action Project.

Mr. Varanelli definitely has his work cut out with him this year going from three academic U.S. History Classes and two honors classes to two AP Government Classes, three academic. He is also planning the very popular Disney trip.

“I’m excited to see what students think about political issues. I’m also excited to see students share their political ideas without getting angry or emotional, which is something lacking in our country right now.”