Over 3,500 schools worldwide participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program, a project-based learning experience valued by colleges and universities across the U.S. and across the globe.
At Abington Senior High School, 27 students among the Classes of 2025 and 2026 earned the AP Capstone Diploma during the spring 2025 AP cycle. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic and career success.
To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exams of their choice.
During the 2024-25 school year, more than 160,000 students in over 3,500 schools worldwide participated in AP Capstone. Of these, only 27,650 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, which equates to approximately just 17 percent of students.
AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project-based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest and are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.
"Congratulations to all the students who earned AP Capstone Diplomas and AP Seminar and Research Certificates during the 2024-25 school year,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “Their hard work has helped them build foundational skills in project management, presentation, collaboration, and research that will contribute to their success in college and in their professional careers.”
The College Board AP Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. Earning a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement in college courses, or both, saving them time and money. 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. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.
In partnership with the higher education community, College Board developed AP Capstone courses to help students build and master skills essential for success in college and career.
“AP Seminar and AP Research sets students up for collegiate success as they learn how to tackle a large-scale project and persevere to completion,” shared Dr. Kellee J. Kirkpatrick, senior research fellow at Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at The Bush School of Government and Public Service – Texas A&M University. “We have heard multiple reports from AP Capstone alumni that while their college peers are stressing over small, five-page papers, Capstone students are tackling these projects with confidence. Additionally, completing the AP Capstone courses helps students to be careful consumers of knowledge and well-informed, critical citizens.”
For a full list of Abington Senior High School's AP offerings, explore the Program of Studies.