The Advanced Placement program recently celebrated the achievements of 162 students from the Douglas County School System Class of 2024 who were named AP scholars. From Chapel Hill High School, Mazzy Beyer, Kamau Edmondson, Lindsey Mercer, and Temidayo Solomon received AP Capstone Diplomas, while Samantha Branton and Subasakti Chandrasekaran received AP Capstone Diplomas at Alexander High School.
To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP Exams of their choice.
In addition to this group receiving AP Capstone Diplomas, 17 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.
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.
"This year's AP scholars represent the dedication our schools, teachers, and community have to rigorous, high-quality education,” said Chelsie Goodman, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “We witness this talent daily, and it's evident through recognitions and awards of this caliber.”
Douglas County students join the success of other scholars participating in the AP Capstone program. Student participation in the AP Capstone program has been steadily increasing, with more than 100,000 students in over 2,500 schools worldwide taking part during the 2023-24 academic year. Approximately 21,000 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 11,100 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
"I'm proud to recognize our outstanding AP Capstone Award recipients. These dedicated scholars have shown exceptional commitment in earning the AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate,” said Douglas County School System Superintendent Trent North. Their participation in this rigorous program shows their academic excellence and lays a strong groundwork for their future pursuits, both in higher education and their professional lives."
The College Board Advanced Placement Program allows students 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. 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.