High school to begin new AP Capstone program

Avon Lake High School is one of 1,800 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone Diploma program.

Avon Lake High School is one of 1,800 schools worldwide to implement the AP Capstone Diploma program, an innovative program that allows students to develop the skills that matter most for college success, such as research, collaboration, and communication.

The program consists of two courses taken in sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research, according to a news release.

Students who score a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing earn the AP Capstone Diploma.

This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of collegelevel academic and research skills, the release said.

Students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research (but not on four additional AP Exams) earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Avon Lake High will start offering AP Seminar in fall 2020, according to the release.

“I am very excited to bring this program to Avon Lake High School,” said Jack Dibee, Avon Lake City Schools curriculum director. “This is a natural addition for our school district, as we will soon have an extensive AP course offering portfolio of 25 different classes.

“The AP Capstone Diploma will enhance opportunities for students as they apply to post-secondary schools and for competitive merit-based scholarships.”

In AP Seminar, typically taken in 10th or 11th grade, students choose and evaluate complex topics through multiple lenses, identify credibility and bias in sources, and develop arguments in support of a recommendation, the release said.

AP Seminar

AP Seminar is a projectbased learning course.

Official AP Seminar assessments include research reports, written arguments, and presentations completed during the academic year, according to the release.

Students complete the course by taking an endof-course written exam in May.

AP Research

In the subsequent AP Research course, students design, execute, present and defend a yearlong researchbased investigation on a topic of individual interest, the release said.

They build on skills developed in AP Seminar by learning how to understand research methodology; employ ethical research practices; and collect, analyze, and synthesize information to contribute to academic research.

Like AP Seminar, AP Research is a project-based course, according to the release.

Each student’s official AP Research score is based on their academic paper, presentation and oral defense.

There’s no end-of-course exam for AP Research, the release said.

“We’re proud to offer AP Capstone, which enables students and teachers to focus on topics of their choice in great depth,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president for AP and instruction at the College Board. “This provides terrific opportunities for students to develop the ability to write and present their work effectively, individually and in groups — the very skills college professors want their students to possess.”

In partnership with the higher education community, the College Board developed AP Capstone so students can practice and master skills that serve them well in college and career, according to the release.

Colleges and universities have voiced their support for the program, the release said.

“We’re excited more schools are offering the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Kedra Ishop, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Michigan. “We believe the research, collaboration and presentation skills taught in the two courses will be valuable to students throughout their academic and professional careers.”