An Introduction to the �AP Capstone^™ Program

COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL

Advanced Placement ^®: The Basics

• AP® courses are college-level courses offered in high school
• Courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses
• Students take AP Exams at the end of the course to measure their mastery of college-level work
• A score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college

What is the AP Capstone Program?

Welcome

Columbine High School is committed to every student’s success.

​

We believe access to challenging course work such as Advanced Placement® (AP®) plays an important role in that success.

​

To complement the suite of AP courses at Columbine, we are proud to introduce a new program at our school in Fall 2018:

​

AP^® Helps Students Graduate on Time & Save Money

Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a college degree on time.* Graduating in four years represents a significant savings on the cost of college.

• Only 1 in 4 college students completes a bachelor’s degree in 4 years.
• The average cost of college for a single year is $21,500** for public colleges (in-state tuition, fees, room/board, misc. expenses).

*College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences, The College Board, 2008 �**The College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2011, Figure 1

Introducing - AP Capstone

is an innovative program that helps you stand out in the college admissions process by developing the critical skills needed to succeed in college and in your future career.

Two new courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—allow students to immerse themselves in topics that matter to them, while they develop the analytic, research, problem-solving, and communication skills that colleges seek in their applicants.

AP at Columbine

​

• 416 students took 761 exams last year.
• 70% of students in those classes earned a score of 3+
• 56 Columbine students were AP Scholars last year (3 or higher on 3 or more exams)

​

​

Our AP^® Courses

• AP Capstone: AP Seminar (starting Fall 2018), AP Research (starting Fall 2019)
• Arts: Art History, Music Theory, Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio, Studio Art: 2-D Design Portfolio, Studio Art: 3-D Design Portfolio
• English: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition
• History and Social Sciences: Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History
• Mathematics and Computer Science: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics
• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Computer Science Principles
• World languages:, French Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture

The Pinnacle of Distinction – AP Capstone Diploma™

This challenging program helps students deepen their passion for learning, gives them greater confidence in their academic skills, and a broader perspective on their world.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams will receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™

QUEST

AP Seminar

• Investigate real-world topics from multiple perspectives

​

• Carefully analyze information, write evidence-based arguments and effectively communicate them

​

• Work independently and with a team to research a topic, develop a written report and deliver a presentation

Typically taken in grade 10 or 11.

Students learn how to:

Teachers & Students select and study 2-4 topics.

Example Topics

Democracy

Education

Environment

Revolution

Technology

Sustainability

Exam score based on:

1. Team Project & Presentation
• 25%

​

2. Individual Research-Based Essay & Presentation

• 35%

​

3. End-of-Course Exam
• 40%

AP Research

• Design, plan, and conduct a year-long mentored, research-based investigation
• Apply research methods and practices to address a real-world topic selected by the student
• Write a college-level research paper
• Present and orally defend research findings and methodology

Students learn how to:

1. Academic Paper

(4,000 - 5,000 words)

• 75%

​

2. Presentation and Oral Defense
• 25%

Exam score based on:

AP Seminar is a prerequisite to AP Research.

AP^® Capstone Exam Fees

• The 2017-18 exam fees for AP Seminar and AP Research are $142 each.

​

• Assistance is available for eligible students with financial need:
• The College Board offers exam fee reductions for eligible students with financial need.

​

​

AP Capstone Program: The Benefits

AP^®: Skills & Advantages that Last a Lifetime

• Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time management and study skills needed for college success.
• Nationally, research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers.*

*2009, The College Board, “The Relationship Between AP Exam Performance and College Outcomes"

​

AP Capstone: The Benefits

• Earn Distinction – Stand out in the college admission process and have the opportunity to earn valuable college credit or placement
• Acquire Critical Skills – Students acquire challenging career and college-level analysis, writing, and research skills that are increasingly valued by colleges and in the workplace
• Choose what to study – Students choose their own research topic and study issues and topics of interest and importance to them

What Colleges are saying about AP Capstone

“At the University of Washington, we would be very interested in enrolling students who have distinguished themselves through the AP Capstone program.” �Phillip Ballinger, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions, University of Washington

“AP Seminar and AP Research are terrific classes that prepare students to think in non-formulaic ways.”�Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

“AP Capstone provides more of the learning students will need for success in college and beyond: effective communication, original research, collaboration, and critical thinking. �Ken O’Donnell, Senior Director of Student Engagement, California State University

​

Below are some of the hundreds of colleges that have endorsed AP Capstone for its challenging interdisciplinary curricula.

Visit www.collegeboard.org/apcapstone for the latest list of colleges with credit policies for AP Seminar and/or AP Research.

What Students are saying about AP Capstone

“We get a topic, and we dive deep into it, looking at not just the facts but different perspectives, which ones are strongest, which ones are missing something… [It]…teaches us to learn and think, and prepares us for college and life in a way that no other class does…”�—Senior, North Central High School, Spokane, WA

“[In college interviews,] it gives you something to talk about. I can be really specific and colleges see that you have an interest.” �—Senior, Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn, NY

“The expectations in the [AP Seminar] course are a lot higher. We are expected to be more responsible and more attentive about what is going on in the world around us.”�—Sophomore, N. Miami Beach High School, Miami, FL

“[I’ve gained] confidence… I speak more now. In this environment your opinion is needed. You feel part of a family.”�—Junior, Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn, NY

Next Steps: Help Your Child�Make the Best Choices

AP Capstone: Start the Conversation

Help your child prepare to talk to a teacher or counselor about AP Capstone. Here are some questions to encourage your child to think about:�

Is AP Capstone right for me?

Before you talk to a teacher or counselor, think about what interests you:

• What college majors are you considering? What careers excite you?
• Do I enjoy challenging myself to think in new ways?
• Do I like to collaborate and learn from others?

�What steps do I need to take?

• Go online and read the AP Capstone brochure to find out more
• SIGN-UP on your course registration sheet!

Additional Information about AP Capstone

Direct questions and concerns to:

Shannon Vigil

svigil@jeffco.k12.co.us

303-982-1076

Questions and Answers