WEST CHESTER, PA — In the 2018-19 school year, the West Chester Area School District began offering the AP Capstone Diploma program as an option to for students to further develop important critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills. Now, just three years later, six students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma with four also earning the AP Seminar and Research Certificate during the 2021-22 school year.
“Those involved in the AP Capstone Diploma program, both the students and their teachers, must demonstrate an exceptional level of dedication and skill,” said Superintendent Bob Sokolowski. “Developing complex research projects, pursing personal interests, building confidence – these are all tremendous opportunities open to our students in this program. We are so glad to see their abilities grow over time and for their work to now be recognized with the diploma and certificate.”
To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Over 2,200 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2021-22 school year. Approximately 14,100 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,200 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Instead of focusing on one specific academic discipline, students participating in AP Seminar and AP Research create research projects based on topics of personal interest. Students are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.
“I am very proud of all of our students who have completed their AP Capstone projects,” said Dr. Jason Sherlock, Henderson High School Principal. “The AP Capstone gives our students experience with active research. The tools that they learn in this course will serve them well for their post-secondary education.”
Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at the West Chester Area School District:
Six were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams. They are:
- Nora Jiang, Rustin High School
- Sehaj Kaur, Rustin High School
- John M. Lyons, Rustin High School
- Priyanka Natanasabapathy, East High School
- Abigail K. Criscuolo, East High School
- Elizabeth A. Prieto, East High School
Four were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are:
- Anjana Pramod, Henderson High School
- Mary Kate M. Avin, East High School
- Jaiden D. DiBacco, East High School
- Vanessa L. Levins, East High School
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