AP Capstone Program: Innovative Program Unique Opportunity for Students

This is the third year that Memorial is involved with the College Board’s AP Capstone program and there are 49 students participating in this innovative and unique AP program this year. Originally in the 2018-2019 school year, Memorial was only 1 of 4 high schools in the entire Central Valley from Sacramento to Bakersfield to offer this program to its students.

The AP Capstone program involves two courses in this sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research--typically 10th and 11th graders take AP Seminar followed by AP Research.
What is entirely unique about this program is that there is no set curriculum. In both courses, students investigate a variety of topics from various academic fields, conduct research, write academic papers, and then present their results. In AP Seminar, students investigate real-world topics of their own choosing within a larger theme, conduct research, develop arguments, and present them. In AP Research, each student selects a topic of inquiry of his/her own choosing, develops and conducts original research, writes one academic paper, and presents his/her findings. Past students have lauded the program.

Class of 2020 graduate Chloe Paraguya summed it up best when she
stated the following:
“My overall experience [Seminar and Research] probably prepared me the most for college undergraduate and graduate years because we worked entirely at our own pace and own motivation. …it developed a sense of responsibility for myself in the future when I have to do my own studies in college. This program is something all high school students should experience in order to prepare themselves for college.”

Fellow classmate Maya Safadi added, “I think it has truly prepared me for my college and career paths. I am pursuing the honors program at [Santa Clara University] which requires seminar style classes and a senior thesis, and I believe Capstone has been great practice and preparation for that.”

Finally Isaac Gonzalez stated, “My overall experience in AP Capstone was phenomenal. These courses are going to prepare me for college. I am so thankful that my school decided to include the program in our list of courses.”

Last year the College Board awarded 6 seniors—Michael Askins, Isabella Garcia, Chloe Paraguya, Bella Ray, Maya Safadi, and Margaret Smith--the AP Capstone Diploma and 3 seniors with an AP Capstone Certificate—Chloe Bennett, Nina Civiello, and Isaac Gonzalez. The graduates were the first group to complete the AP Capstone Program. The College Board awards the AP Capstone Diploma to students who pass both Seminar and Research and earned passing scores for 4 other AP courses. AP Certificates are awarded to students who earn passing scores for both Seminar and Research.

Parents and students should seriously think about enrolling in the AP Capstone program next year. For more information contact either Mr. Olivares, Ms. Holden, or Mr. Borges.