Are you looking for a course that is unorthodox and something different from traditional classroom learning? If so, AP Capstone may be the perfect course to take. Starting in the fall of 2019, Pennridge will offer the AP Capstone program for students. According to College Board, AP Capstone is a diploma program consisting of two, year-long courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Rather than teaching content specific to a particular subject, such as in AP Psychology or AP U.S. History, AP Capstone uses an interdisciplinary approach to teach students to develop skills in critical thinking, research, collaboration, evidence-based arguments, writing, and presenting.

Enrolling in AP Capstone will ensure the development of skills crucial to collegiate and career success. AP Capstone utilizes a QUEST (Question, Understand, Evaluate, Synthesize,

Team/Transform/Transmit) framework to develop their creative and critical thinking skills. Participating in this course will help students become independent thinkers and problem-solvers and can also result in earning college credit for qualified scores on exams.

Students typically take AP seminar in 10th or 11th grade, followed by AP Research the next year. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research. Over the course of two years, students will engage in activities that involve analyzing, planning or conducting investigations, communicating, proposing solutions to problems, collaborating, and making connections to other curriculums. Between both courses, AP scores are determined by assessment of student presentations, written components, and end-of-course exams. A student will receive an AP Capstone Diploma if he or she earns a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP exams. Without four additional AP exams, the student will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Because earning a Diploma signifies outstanding academia and fulfillment of college-level academic and research skills, over 100 universities and institutions are implementing policies to welcome students who have completed the AP Capstone program.