Advanced Placement Capstone
AP Capstone Overview
The AP Capstone, offered through St. James High School AP Institute, is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions.
Students participating in the Capstone program will enroll in two courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.
Students who successfully complete these course and who earn passing scores on at least four other Advanced Placement examinations during the course of their high school career will be eligible for the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma.
Click here for more information:
AP Capstone Courses
AP Seminar
473100HW—1st semester
473000AW—2nd semester
Grade Level: 10
AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students will synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision.
AP Research
473300HW— 1st semester
473200AW—2nd semester
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: AP Seminar
AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills the acquired in AP Seminar by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.
