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AP Capstone™ Diploma Program

POPCS is proud to offer the AP Capstone™ diploma program.  The AP Capstone™ diploma program is based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These courses are designed to complement other AP courses that the AP Capstone student may take.

Instead of teaching specific subject knowledge, AP Seminar and AP Research use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills students need for college-level work.

The College Board developed the AP Capstone Diploma program at the request of higher education professionals, who saw a need for a systematic way for high school students to begin mastering these skills before college.

Program Details

Students typically take AP Seminar in grade 10 or 11, followed by AP Research. Each course is yearlong, and AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.

In both courses, students investigate a variety of topics in multiple disciplines. Students may choose to explore topics related to other AP courses they’re taking.

Both courses guide students through completing a research project, writing an academic paper, and making a presentation on their project.

Over the course of the two-year program, students are required to:

  • Analyze topics through multiple lenses to construct meaning or gain understanding.
  • Plan and conduct a study or investigation.
  • Propose solutions to real-world problems.
  • Plan and produce communication in various forms.
  • Collaborate to solve a problem.
  • Integrate, synthesize, and make cross-curricular connections.

Benefits of AP Capstone™

Participating in AP Capstone can help students:

  • Stand out to colleges in the application process.

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  • Develop key academic skills they’ll use in other classes, college, and beyond.

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  • Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers.

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  • Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.

 

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the 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™.

 

As a POPCS "lifer", I was blessed with the chance to experience everything Prince of Peace has to offer. I believe the single most important program was the AP Capstone program.  It really prepared me for the Business Honors Program at Texas A&M.  AP Seminar equipped me with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to break down high-level business case studies that I encounter in many of my current classes. AP Research helped me get into the Business Honors Program. I have referenced my capstone project, which dealt with food insecurity in Collin County, on numerous applications to student organizations and internships, and it has repeatedly proved to make a difference in each of them. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in the AP Capstone Program, and for the teachers that enabled me to go deeper and reach farther than I ever thought possible!Josh Thatcher, POPCS Class of 2020