Boerne ISD students earn Capstone Diploma

Seventeen Boerne and Champion High School students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma during the 2022-23 school year.

The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are crucial for academic success.

To receive the diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams of their choice.

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, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary: students are encouraged to 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.

* Boerne High School students receiving the diploma are: Class of 2023, Anna Bendele, Allison Dement, Kathryn Spiekerman, and Kayuki Warren; Class of 2024, Julia Bendele, Peyton Forren, Keira Luevano, Jonathan Maani and Carys Thaxton.

* Champion High School students receiving the diploma are: Class of 2023, Benjamin Barronton; Class of 2024, Colin Bruer, Mackenzie Edwards, Ava Foster, Charlie Glover, Emma Haines, Claire Powell, and Jack Stanton.

Students are increasingly participating in the AP Capstone program. The program has reached a milestone of more than 100,000 students participating during the 2022-23 academic year, representing over 2,500 schools worldwide. Approximately 15,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,600 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college- level courses while still in high school. A 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams, saving them time and money.

Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time.

Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.