Benefits of the AP Capstone Diploma Program
Participating in AP Capstone Can Help Students:
- Stand out to colleges in the application process.
- Develop key academic skills they’ll use in other classes, college, and beyond.
- Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers.
- Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.
See high schools that participate in AP Capstone.
Offering the AP Capstone Program Gives School Leaders and Teachers:
- Academic distinction, as the program is widely recognized for its skills focus and innovation.
- Flexible student-centered curricula with room for creativity and student input.
- Access to a weeklong, collaborative training event.
Benefits for School Leaders:
- AP Seminar is an introductory AP class for grades 10 and 11, and serves as a prerequisite for AP Research, which is typically offered in grades 11 or 12. Both courses are designed as yearlong courses.
- These courses can be assigned to a variety of academic departments, allowing flexibility for school leaders to maximize student access.
- AP Seminar is increasingly placed in English/language arts departments as a 10th-grade course. Learn why AP Seminar is an excellent option to enhance 10th-grade English.
- AP Research is typically placed in English/language arts, science, or social science departments for 11th- or 12th-grade enrollments.
Higher Education’s Support for AP Capstone:
- AP Capstone is a powerful indicator of college readiness on a student’s transcript and helps students stand out to colleges in the application process.
- Research has found that students who take AP Capstone courses are more likely to persist in college and earn higher first-year college GPAs.
See colleges that grant credit for AP Seminar.