JCCHS Celebrates AP Capstone Recipients

JCCHS Celebrates AP Capstone Diploma Recipients

Birmingham, AL - At John Carroll Catholic  High School eight students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma.  Additionally, two students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate during the 2023-2024 school year.  The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic success.  

“We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said JCCHS Principal Ronald Steele.  “With the help of our dedicated faculty, Mrs. Lacy Wise and Mrs. Mary Frances Spitler, our AP Capstone students explored their passions through scholarly research as part of an impactful, multi year program.  This meaningful college readiness program will serve our students well after high school.”

To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar,

AP Research, and on four additional AP ® Exams of their choice. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP

Research. Student participation in the AP Capstone program has been steadily increasing, with

Over 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.

Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and 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.

• Eight students were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams. Those students are: Lila Bakir, Isabella Berry, Francesca Brooks, Emilee Coon, Caroline Deichmann, Doug Frederick, Maddie Lanaux, and Georgia Thornton.  

• Two were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Those students are: Jenna Johnson and Sophia Somaniego

Over 2,500 schools participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program, a project based learning experience valued by colleges and universities across the US and around the world.  

As a Catholic high school, John Carroll forms young people who are inspired by a passion for learning and seek to lead lives of significance in service to God and others.