Starting in the fall of 2018, the AP Capstone program will be offered to current sophomores and freshmen as well as incoming students. This two year program consists of two parts, AP Seminar and AP Research, that will develop students’ research, teamwork and communication skills. 

The first course, AP Seminar, will be completed mainly in groups while AP Research is primarily independent work. Teacher Chuck Zach will be the instructor of these courses. 

“I’m really excited about [teaching this class],” Zach said. “It’s different, very hands-on and lots of discussion for the kids. It’s not going to be a lot of lecturing, but rather a lot of small group work and investigation on your own, but with me guiding you.”

Zach will attend a week-long training in June.

“I have a lot of ideas, but right now I have to make sure that what I think fits the AP folks’ model for this,” Zach said.

Through this training, Zach will gain a clear idea of what students will experience during the program.

“You start the first year as a group working together. The second year, you are working on your own, really creating a product, a paper, something that you’re proud of that you feel like you have done some investigative work into a topic that really interests you,” Zach said.

There were some concerns that this program would replace the Independent Research program that awards AP weight to a regular class. However, Bailey said that isn’t the case at this time, though there are similar components.

“Independent Reseach will still be in place,” Principal Brad Bailey said. “We will continue to evaluate if there is any correlation created between the two programs.”

To receive AP credit, students must pass the Seminar exam the first year. Credit for the Research course will be more product-based. 

“It’s the product you create,” Zach said. “It’s the thing that has to pass the muster for the AP college board to be able to get credit.”

The AP credit, combined with the set of leadership skills it gives, creates a foundation for college education and application.

“The benefits of [the AP Capstone program] would be that the colleges recognize this more as they look at transcripts and applications to see if you’re part of an AP course or if you’re part of an AP Capstone program,” Bailey said. “AP Capstone gives you a higher skill level and makes you more prepared for college. Our AP courses individually prepare you, but this is preparing you more in addition to support you in AP classes.”

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