Ï㽶ӰÊÓ

For Immediate Release: 8/17/2021

South Aiken High School Celebrates Its AP Capstone Diploma Recipients

Aiken, SC – At South Aiken High School 6 students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma^™ during the 2020-21 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical to academic success.

“We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Samuel Fuller, Principal. “Our AP Capstone students and teachers showed extraordinary commitment while facing historic challenges. This is a meaningful college and career readiness program that 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. Over 2,000 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2020-21 school year, when approximately 11,900 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and 7,700 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 empowered to create research projects based on topics of personal interest and they are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

“Congratulations to the AP Capstone award winners, who conduct, present, and defend academic research on topics they are passionate about,” said Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president of AP and Instruction. “Their ability to manage long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations will accelerate both their academic and professional careers.”

We celebrate all of our AP Scholars at South Aiken High School this year for their hard work and efforts.  Of the students who participated in the AP program at South Aiken High School:

-61 students were recognized as AP Scholars.  The AP Scholar Award is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams

-8 students were recognized as AP Scholars with Honor which is granted to student who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and score a 3 or higher on four or more of these exams

-14 students were recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams

-6 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.

The College Board Advanced Placement^® Program gives students the opportunity 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, saving them time and money. Research shows that any AP student is better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degree on time. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.

****

Listed below are the recognized AP Scholar students and their Scholar Award distinction.