AP Capstone

Unleash Your Potential: The Power of AP Capstone at Quartz Hill High School

At QHHS, we proudly offer the AP Capstone Program, a transformative two-year journey designed to cultivate the critical thinking, research, and communication skills essential for success in college and beyond.

Why AP Capstone? It's About Skills, Not Just Content.

In today's rapidly evolving world, colleges and employers are seeking individuals who can think critically, solve complex problems, and communicate effectively. The AP Capstone Program directly addresses these needs by focusing on developing these vital skills, rather than simply memorizing facts.

The AP Capstone Structure: A Foundation for Success

The AP Capstone Program consists of two rigorous courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

AP Seminar: This course is the foundation of the program, where students learn to:
- Analyze and evaluate diverse perspectives.
- Conduct thorough research using credible sources.
- Collaborate with peers to explore complex issues.
- Craft compelling arguments and deliver impactful presentations.
- This class is about teaching students how to learn, not just what to learn.
AP Research: Building upon the skills developed in AP Seminar, this course empowers students to:
- Design and conduct an independent research project on a topic of their choosing.
- Collect and analyze data.
- Develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.
- Present and defend their findings to a panel of experts.
- This class empowers students to take ownership of their education.

AP Capstone Awards: Recognizing Excellence

Students who successfully complete both AP Seminar and AP Research earn the AP Capstone Certificate. Those who also pass four additional AP Exams earn the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma, a testament to their exceptional academic achievements.

The Unmatched Benefits of AP Capstone

Deep Dive into Critical Thinking: AP Capstone teaches students to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and form well-reasoned conclusions—skills that are invaluable in any field.
Mastering Research Skills: Students learn to conduct rigorous research, a skill that is essential for success in college and beyond.
Cultivating Collaboration and Communication: Through group projects and presentations, students develop the ability to work effectively with others and communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively.
Standing Out in College Admissions: Colleges recognize the rigor and value of the AP Capstone Program. Earning an AP Capstone award demonstrates to admissions officers that a student is well-prepared for the challenges of higher education.
Real-World Application: The skills developed in AP Capstone are not just theoretical; they are directly applicable to real-world situations, preparing students for success in their future careers.
Building Confidence: Students gain confidence in their abilities to tackle complex problems and present their ideas effectively.

Why Choose AP Capstone?

We have dedicated and highly trained facilitators who are passionate about helping students succeed.
We provide a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
We are committed to providing our students with the best possible preparation for college and beyond.
We believe in developing the whole student, and this program helps students grow in ways that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Our program is flexible and allows students to choose from a variety of AP offerings that interest them.

Invest in Your Student's Future

The AP Capstone Program is an investment in your child's future. It provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in college, career, and life. We encourage you to learn more about this exceptional program and how it can benefit your child.

Our AP Capstone graduates have gone on to attend prestigious institutions such as Cornell University, UCLA, USC, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal Poly, Penn State, and numerous other University of California and California State University campuses. The skills and experiences gained in this program provide a distinct advantage in the competitive college admissions process and set our students up for success in their academic and professional pursuits.

We are confident that the AP Capstone program at Quartz Hill is the best program available to give your child the skills they need to succeed.

FAQ:

Does AP Seminar count as an English class?

Yes, AP Seminar is A-G approved as English (B) credit when taken in grades 10, 11, and 12. It also fulfills the AVUHSD graduation requirements for English credit. However, we find that most students opt to take an English class concurrently in order to amplify their skills and exam scores. AP Research is designated as a college-prep elective.

How do I apply?

There is no application for the Capstone program. We believe that every student with a strong sense of curiosity and a commitment to academic advancement deserves the opportunity to participate in this transformative program. We are looking for students who will embrace academic challenges in pursuit of intellectual growth. Students simply choose AP Seminar during course selection.

When should I begin this program?

If you intend to complete the Capstone diploma, you must begin by your junior year as AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research. More and more students are opting to take AP Seminar during their sophomore year to allow for more flexibility in their schedule in later years.

I'm not interested in the Capstone diploma. Can I still take AP Seminar?

Yes. Many students take AP Seminar alone in order to gain skills and improve their confidence in collaboration, academic research, writing, and presentation and better prepare themselves for the rigors of college.

Will I receive college credit for AP Seminar and AP Research?

All colleges have differing policies as to how they award credit for AP exams. Most schools award elective credit for AP Seminar and AP Research, but check the CollegeBoard website to see individual institutions' policies.

Explore more on the CollegeBoard website or reach out to a Capstone leader at QH.

AP Capstone Instructors:

Amanda Prewitt, AP Seminar aprewitt@avhsd.org

Dave Gutierrez, AP Research dgutierrez@avhsd.org

AP Coordinator:

Nancy Heming nheming@avhsd.org