At Mona Shores High School, 6 students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma™. Additionally, 2 students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2023-24 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills that are essential to academic success.
AP Seminar teacher, Mr. Chris Johnson, and AP Research teacher, Mrs. Roxanne Schaner, have both completed extensive College Board training in order to provide our students with a multi-year experience that prepares them for the rigors of college coursework. To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP® Exams of their choice. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.
Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Instead of focusing on one specific academic discipline, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary: Students are encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest.
Students from the Class of 2024 who were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams were Elizabeth Eckerman, Andrew Hylland, Estella Larsen, Madison MacLachlan, Mason Schlafer, and Eva Stout.
Students who were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research were Malayna Alvarez and Ava Morden.
Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time. In partnership with the higher education community, College Board developed AP Capstone courses to help students build and master skills essential for success in college and career.
“What so distinguishes the AP Capstone program as a hallmark educational experience is its emphasis on holistic development of inquiry and articulation skills essential for success and persistence in college, the workplace, and everyday life,” said Dr. Gregory Taylor, associate provost for academic affairs at Purchase College, SUNY.