AP Capstone Program
AP Capstone is a diploma program based on two Advanced Placement courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These year-long courses focus on developing the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time-management, and presentation skills students need for high-level college work.
Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students' skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two AP Capstone awards.
Open to 10th, 11th, 12th grade students interested in developing their research, writing, and presenting skills!
Students will:
Investigate real world topics from multiple perspectives
Consider credibility and critique arguments
Carefully analyze information, write evidence-based arguments and effectively communicate
Work independently and with a team to research a topic, develop a written report, and deliver presentation
AP exam score based on:
Task 1 Team Project: Individual Report, Team Presentation, and Oral Defense (20%)
Task 2 Individual Project: Written Argument, Presentation, and Oral Defense (35%)
Written End-of-Course Exam: short response analyzing an argument and synthesis essay (45%)
*Starting Fall 2024
Open to 11th and 12th grade students
*AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research*
Students will:
Design, plan, and implement a year-long, mentored, research-based investigation into an area of interest or passion
Apply research methods and practices to investigate and answer a self-selected research question and write a college-level thesis paper
Work with a mentor in the area of study
Present and orally defend research methods and findings
AP exam score based on:
Academic Research Paper (75%)
Presentation and Oral Defense (25%)
AP Capstone Certificate or Diploma
The AP Capstone Diploma program launched in fall 2014. College Board developed the program after hearing from higher education faculty and administrators who were seeking incoming freshmen with proficiency in critical thinking and communication skills. Specifically, these higher education professionals wanted to identify students who were able to analyze different perspectives, evaluate the credibility of sources, use scholarly methods, build evidence-based arguments, work in teams, work with mentors, and develop and deliver team and individual presentations.
Successfully completing an AP Capstone course or earning one of the AP Capstone awards communicates to colleges and universities that an applicant has these skills.