AP Capstone: Why High Schoolers Won’t Want to Overlook This Opportunity
This guest blog takes a deep dive into exactly what the AP Capstone program is, who is a good fit for the program, and why high school students should take advantage of this opportunity.
Guest blog written by Sharon Nolan, Educator at Holston Academy.
As we are firmly entrenched in the 21st century, it has become increasingly critical for schools to emphasize and teach…well, 21st century skills. While academics continue to serve as the foundation for education, skills and strategies such as time management, critical thinking, and collaboration continue to surface as tools that today’s students must have in their arsenal upon graduation to thrive in the ever-evolving and ultra-competitive higher education and professional landscape.
Fortunately, Holston Academy has the perfect program to prepare students for the next level in life–the AP Capstone™ program.
What is the AP Capstone program?
AP Capstone was created by College Board in 2014 to better equip students with the skills they need to succeed in college and beyond. College and university admissions officials at that time made it quite clear that they prioritized students who were able to think a little bit differently than the typical high schooler. Meaning, they could analyze different perspectives, build evidence-based arguments, evaluate source credibility, use scholarly methods, collaborate with peers and mentors, and develop and deliver team and individual presentations.
So, as these higher education administrators increasingly sought incoming freshmen already armed with critical thinking and communication skills to represent their universities, the AP Capstone program was formed to prepare high school juniors and seniors with these increasingly desirable traits.
AP Capstone is a diploma program anchored by two courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. What truly sets this program apart from more traditional high school courses is that they are student-led and cross-curricular.
These courses also differ from other AP courses because AP scores are determined primarily by the projects students complete in class throughout the year, as opposed to a singular testing session in May. This not only is more indicative of the skills a student learns over the year, but also more reflective of how performance is evaluated in real life.
The value of AP Seminar and AP Research courses
Students typically take AP Seminar in 10th or 11th grade and AP Research the following year. AP Seminar is considered the foundational course where students explore the complexities of academic and real-world issues. Then, in AP Research, students conduct an in-depth, research based investigation of their own interests.
Based on my own experiences as a teacher, if I were to recommend any two electives that all high school students should take before graduation, those courses would be AP Seminar and AP Research. Whether students plan to pursue an undergraduate degree or directly enter the workforce, these two courses equip students with the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate information with accuracy and develop their own opinions so they become informed, contributing members of society. In AP Capstone, students are taught to view the challenges we face through a variety of perspectives to broaden their worldview and increase their understanding.
Because the program focuses on the skills needed to succeed, such as critical thinking, time-management, and teamwork, we use an interdisciplinary approach in the classroom. This allows students to pursue individual passions and interests within the disciplines that are most important to them and their future. I personally appreciate this aspect in my classes because when students are free to direct their own research and make their own choices, true learning occurs.
Here are a few examples of the various topics my previous students have chosen to research:
- Are you interested in how team sports can reduce recidivism rates in the U.S.?
- Do you want to explore how rising sea levels are affecting developing coastal nations?
- Have you ever wondered how non-verbal cues are changing among teens with the rise of smartphone usage?
These aren’t your everyday book report or project topics. These are well-thought-out, important, relevant issues that generate robust discussion, innovative ideas, and purposeful research–all invaluable skills for today’s students.
Who should consider the AP Capstone program?
According to College Board, “students who are motivated and prepared for college-level coursework are best suited for the program.” Additionally, College Board believes that the program also benefits students who may be interested in or show potential for AP coursework but have not yet enrolled in AP courses. This program is perfect for students who are “curious about real-world issues, willing to take intellectual risks, and dedicated to acquiring the skills that colleges and universities value—critical inquiry, analysis, and research.”
Students interested in AP Capstone are not required to take any other courses to prepare for the program. The only requirement is that AP Seminar must be successfully completed before enrolling in AP Research.
Completing the AP Capstone program
Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams receive the elite AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. It goes without saying that either of these notable achievements truly stands out on a student’s college application when they’re searching for schools, and also on their resumes as they aim to begin their post-graduate careers.
The AP Capstone program at Holston Academy
Holston Academy is one of very few online schools that has been approved to offer the AP Capstone program. Holston has also developed a curriculum that combines AP Seminar with English 10 to provide the course as either a core English credit or an elective. In this class, students still have the opportunity to explore traditional literary texts, but we create a broader context by including informational texts and making modern day connections. In addition, Holston’s AP Capstone program combines synchronous and asynchronous instruction to provide a collaborative learning experience.
I strongly encourage all Holston Academy students to consider the AP Capstone program and take advantage of the fact that Holston is among a very exclusive group of online schools able to offer this prestigious program. To learn more about the AP Capstone program at Holston Academy, call (833) 782-6922 or email us at [email protected].