During the 2021-22 school year, 18 students earned the first AP Capstone Diplomas awarded by Morgan County High School, and 16 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical for academic success.
Eighty-four other students are committed to the Capstone Diploma goal and have begun this school year enrolled in appropriate AP courses. “We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Dr. Miki Edwards, principal at Morgan County High School.
“Our AP Capstone™ students and teachers showed extraordinary commitment while facing historic challenges. This is a meaningful college readiness program that will serve our students well after high school. It is noteworthy that this was our first group to have an opportunity to commit to the Capstone effort. All AP teachers are to be commended for their dedication, and we are especially grateful for the AP Capstone teachers who led our school and students in this effort: Ashley Wegmann, Nathan Reincheld, Holly Schultz and Travis Rice.”
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. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Students are increasingly participating in the AP Capstone program. Over 2,200 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2021-22 school year.
Approximately 14,100 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,200 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. Students are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.
“I’m thrilled to congratulate these motivated students, who worked hard to earn the AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “These students have enhanced the foundation for their future academic and professional careers by honing their ability to manage longterm projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations on topics they’re passionate about.”
Eighteen students representing the Classes of 2022 and 2023 were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams: they are Cooper Allen (attending UGA), Poppy-Grace Buck, EllaRyann Cottrell, Litzy Delgado, Ian Garrett (attending UGA), Savannah Gower, Ethan Hardy (attending Piedmont College), Presley Hill, Morgan McCormack, Eleanor Moss, Braden Newsome, Harrison Peaster, Amelia Potter, Jacob Pritchett (attending UGA), Andrew Stephens, Cori Thrower, Peyton Triplett and Collin Turner.
Sixteen students were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are Anna Arthur, David Foster, Tracianna Guinn, Hannah Horowitz, Joshua Jones, Kathryn Kuperberg, Karl Lange, Alex Ludlow, Chloe Meeler, Annabel Moon, Ava Rabern, Drew Rice, Hayven Tanner, Jared Waldrip and Kaci Wilson. 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 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 standards.
Morgan County High School is also proud to recognize and celebrate 49 other students who were recognized as AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, and AP Scholars with Distinction. All of these students were recognized by Representative Dave Belton during pre-game activities Friday night at Bill Corry Stadium.
Some of the Capstone Diploma recipients, along with their teachers, are pictured in front of a bulletin board at MCHS celebrating their academic achievement. Many of the 83 students who earned various AP Scholar distinctions are also pictured on the MCHS Alma Mater steps.