Ten seniors from William Floyd High School have earned the AP Capstone distinction on their future high school diplomas based on their performance on AP exams through May 2024. To receive this designation, students must score a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and a 3 or higher on four additional AP exams of their choosing.
The AP Capstone program includes two courses that allow students to immerse themselves in topics of personal interest while developing analytical, research, problem-solving, and communication skills sought by colleges and employers. This program also helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills vital for academic success.
Participating in AP Capstone can help students stand out in the college application process and develop key academic skills useful in high school, college, and beyond. The College Board states that successful participation builds self-confidence and enhances independent-thinking and problem-solving skills.
"Congratulations to the 10 students – Aisling Aylward, Victoria Basharina, Angelina Campos, Alice Chen, Rachel Chen, Kaitlyn Corn, Hiba Farooq, Joshua Lugo, Zariel Macchia, and Mathew Reis – on this outstanding achievement! Congratulations also to their teachers: Jessica Vultaggio and Jennifer Endres (AP Seminar), and Dr. Martin Palermo and Erin Hansen (AP Research)," read a statement from the school.
AP Seminar is the foundational course of the two-year AP Capstone Program. It provides opportunities for students to think critically and creatively while learning how to research areas of interest. Students develop arguments, consider solutions collaboratively with others using an inquiry framework to practice reading various documents or digital media sources. They learn how to synthesize information from multiple sources into written perspectives as well as deliver oral presentations individually or as a team.
AP Research allows students to explore an academic topic of individual interest deeply. Over the course of the school year, they design research projects addressing specific questions using skills acquired in AP Seminar through ethical research practices. Students build a research portfolio writing an academic paper presenting an oral defense using multiple sources while delivering visual presentations individually or as part of a team.