Advanced Placement (AP)

AP Capstone is a way for students to develop a rich foundation for future academic studies and recognizes students for their research, writing and critical thinking abilities. In order to earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students take the courses AP Seminar and AP Research, and earn at least a 3 out of 5 for their exam or project in the course. Additionally, students take at least four additional AP exams and earn at least 3 or higher in each.

Students who complete AP Seminar and AP Research and earn a 3 in both are eligible for the AP Research Certificate without taking additional AP exams. Both classes follow the QUEST pedagogy, which stands for Questioning, Understanding, Evaluating, Synthesizing and Teaming/Telling. The classes are an excellent opportunity for students to explore real-world issues from multiple perspectives (cultural, historical, environmental, scientific, artistic, etc.) and to become a critical thinker ready to thrive in a global society. Students will read a variety of texts, from non-fiction to historical and literary throughout the course. 

More information about these courses can be found on the AP College Board website.

Much like a seminar course for a first-year college student, this course focuses heavily on understanding and analyzing a wide variety of texts and pushing critical thinking through discussion, reflection and writing. Students are assessed by a group presentation, an individual presentation and their performance on the AP exam for the course in the spring. This course fulfills the English requirement for 11th grade.

More information about these courses can be found on the AP College Board website.

This course furthers the work done in AP Seminar and again explores a variety of texts from multiple perspectives. The culminating project in the course is an individual research paper of 20+ pages and an oral defense of that work to an academic panel. 

More information about these courses can be found on the AP College Board website.

Why should my student take AP courses?

AP courses:

• Give you an edge on your college application.

• Saves you money on college tuition.
• Helps you develop your potential in the classroom and beyond. 
• Helps you build good study habits. 
• Helps you improve your writing skills. 
• Helps you shape your goals.
• Challenges you, but also makes you realize you can excel if you put your mind to it. 
   

Is AP only for a select group of students?

The truth is, AP classes are harder than regular classes. They involve deeper concentration, and more time and energy, and students must meet higher expectations. Anyone who is willing to accept the challenge and work hard can succeed in AP.
 

How will I know if I am prepared for an AP course?

Before signing up, have a good idea of whether you can handle the extra work. AP classes move rapidly and cover lots of ground. Your record of accomplishment in other courses will provide a guideline for gauging your AP potential. “If you’re strong in a particular subject, then don’t be afraid, go ahead,” an AP student advised, “because you can rely on your background skills to perform well in an AP class.”
 

How many AP courses should I take?

Let common sense be your guide. Take the number of AP courses you think you can handle. Remember: AP homework is more demanding. “An AP class maybe won’t give you an hour of busywork,” an AP student said. “The AP teacher will expect you to spend that hour thinking instead—on top of the time you need to complete an assignment.”
 

What is the AP Exam?

AP Exams are taken in May. They typically last three hours and involve multiple-choice questions and essays or problems. The exams measure reasoning skills and your ability to analyze facts and data, synthesize information, think critically about complex issues, negotiate competing perspectives, and write clearly and concisely.
 

Do I have to take the AP Exam if I take the course?

AP Exams are not a requirement at all schools, but most AP students do take them. There’s a good chance you can earn college credit by scoring well, so it pays to invest a few hours and the exam fee, which can possibly be reduced or waived. Many students do well on the exams and become eligible for credit or placement at thousands of colleges and universities worldwide. And if you’re thinking of studying abroad, more than 600 universities in more than 40 other countries recognize AP Exams.

Each AP Exam is scored using a five-point scale:
5 – Extremely well qualified
4 – Well qualified
3 – Qualified
2 – Possibly qualified
1 – No recommendation

An AP Exam grade of 3 or higher can qualify you for college credit at most U.S. colleges and universities. 

Most of the exams take two to three hours to complete. For subjects that correspond to half-year college courses, the exam is closer to two hours in length.

Students who score exceptionally well on AP exams may be eligible to earn an AP Scholar designation from the College Board. AP Scholar designations are the College Board's way of recognizing students who have "demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams," according to the AP website. "Although there is no monetary award, in addition to receiving an award certificate, this achievement is acknowledged on any AP Grade Report that is sent to colleges the following fall." There are five different achievement levels:

• AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
• AP Scholar with Honor: Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
• AP Scholar with Distinction: Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
• National AP Scholar: Granted to students in the United States who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.