For the past four years, Laurel Springs has offered the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program, helping students build critical thinking, writing, and research skills valued by universities worldwide.

In the fall of 2014, College Board developed the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma™ Program as an answer to the request of higher education professionals. They saw a need for incoming freshmen to have more experience thinking critically and communicating successfully, particularly in the areas of analyzing different perspectives, evaluating the credibility of sources, working with teams and mentors, and developing team and individual presentations. After hearing this feedback, the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program was created, teaching students how to research, analyze, argue based on evidence, collaborate, write, and present with proficiency. 

The AP Capstone Diploma™ Program is based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Typically, students will take AP Seminar in grade 10 or 11, followed by AP research the following year. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research, and both are designed to compliment other AP courses AP Capstone™ students may take. 

Throughout both AP Seminar and AP Research, students will explore a variety of topics in multiple disciplines, and they may choose to explore topics related to other AP courses they’re taking. Instead of teaching specific subject knowledge, both courses use an interdisciplinary tactic to encourage students to develop the critical thinking skills needed for college-level work. Over the duration of the program, students will complete a research project, write an academic paper, and make a presentation on their project. 

According to College Board, throughout the two-year program students are required to: 

• Analyze topics through multiple lenses to construct meaning or gain understanding.
• Plan and conduct a study or investigation.
• Propose solutions to real-world problems.
• Plan and produce communication in various forms.
• Collaborate to solve a problem.
• Integrate, synthesize, and make cross-curricular connections

AP Seminar Highlights

As a foundational course in the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program, AP Seminar helps students explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics, while analyzing arguments from different perspectives. At Laurel Springs, students can expect to collaborate with peers from all over the world, learning about unique experiences while increasing social connections. Students in AP Seminar will learn more about how to research and communicate their ideas, setting them up for success during their second year as an AP Research student.  

AP Research Highlights

When students enter their second year in the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program, they’re able to put the skills they learned during AP Seminar to good use. Students spend the yearlong course designing, planning, and implementing an investigation to ask a research question that can be based on an academic topic, problem, or issue they are passionate about. Students are able to reflect on their skill development from the past year as well as continue to grow their critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. At the end of the course, students will write a 4,000-5,000 word academic paper, sometimes accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product when applicable, and present with an oral defense. 

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research as well as four additional AP exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.

AP Capstone Diploma™ Program at Laurel Springs

Starting in the fall of 2026, Laurel Springs will be entering our fourth year of offering the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program to students. We’re one of the only online schools to offer this program, and students can learn the types of skills that help them stand out when applying to colleges and universities post high school graduation. For more than 10 years, college and university professors have been relying on the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program to effectively teach students how to become critical thinkers, ensuring they are ready for the rigor college-level work requires. 

At Laurel Springs, we’ve seen countless students successfully participate in the program and learn how to become effective communicators, researchers, critical thinkers, writers, and presenters, all while learning how to connect with other students from a wide range of backgrounds. Having the AP Capstone Diploma™ on your transcript when applying to colleges can be a major differentiator, particularly when competition is high. By achieving the AP Capstone Diploma™, colleges and universities can be assured students are ready for the high-demand of college-level courses.

We’re proud of every student who has been enrolled in the course, and look forward to continuing to empower students to learn how to be critical thinkers, powerful collaborators, and excellent researchers throughout high school, college, their careers, and for the rest of their lives.  

Interested in learning more about the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program at Laurel Springs? Visit our website or request more information today.

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