AP Capstone Diploma

AP Capstone is an innovative new diploma program that gives students an opportunity to apply critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and research skills in a cross-curricular context. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of a  new,  two-year  high school  course  sequence – AP   Seminar (junior year) and  AP  Research (senior year)-  and  is  designed  to  complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study provided through AP courses. It    cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions. These classes will be extremely helpful for students as they complete their college admissions essays, senior paper, and other reports/papers.

  All interested students will do a brief interest form in February 2026.

AP Capstone Diploma Requirements:

Completion of six AP courses (including AP Seminar and AP Research) and a score of 3 or higher on the AP exams for all six AP courses taken.

Course Descriptions:

AP Seminar

Course Number: 016501A

Prerequisites: English I and English II

Credits: 1

This foundational course, exclusively taken in grade 11, provides students with opportunities to think critically and creatively, research, explore, pose solutions, develop arguments, collaborate, and communicate using various media. Students explore real-world issues through a cross-curricular lens and consider multiple points of view to develop deep understanding of complex issues as they make connections between these issues and their own lives.  Students read articles, research studies, and foundational and philosophical texts; listen to and view speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and explore artistic and literary works to gain a rich appreciation and understanding of issues.  Together, teachers and students choose appropriate themes that allow for deep exploration based on student interests, local and/or civic issues, global or international topics, and concepts from other AP courses. The sample topics or themes may include: Education, Innovation, Sustainability, Technology, and Revolution.  Students are assessed through through-course performance tasks and a written exam.  Students are strongly encouraged to co-enroll in AP English Language and Composition along AP Seminar. 

AP Research

Course Number: 013211A

Prerequisites: AP Seminar with an AP score of 3 or higher 

Credits: 1

The second course in the AP Capstone experience, exclusively taken in grade 12, allows students to design, plan, and conduct a yearlong research-based investigation on a topic of individual interest. Through this inquiry and investigation, students demonstrate the ability to apply scholarly understanding to real-world problems and issues.  Students further the skills acquired in their AP Seminar course by using research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information to build, present, and defend an argument.  Students are assessed through culminating performance tasks: Academic thesis paper (approximately 5,000 words) with a defined structure AND Public presentation, performance, or exhibition and oral defense of research and presentation.