AP Capstone award winners are required to conduct, present, and defend academic research on topics they are passionate about. AP Capstone is a diploma program first introduced in 2014. Capstone consists of two courses: AP Seminar, taken in the 10th grade, and AP Research, which can be taken in either 11th grade or 12th grade. Both courses must be taken to be eligible to receive the AP Capstone designation. To earn the Capstone diploma, students must score a three or better in both of these courses and a three or better in four additional AP courses. If a student earns greater than a 3 in the additional courses, they will graduate with an AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Eight students were awarded the AP Capstone Diplomas. Brianna Budhram, Emma Duffy, Ayla Irvine, Sherin Joseph, Ariana McGuinness, Kevin Piraino, Gabriella Sferlazza, and Sean Zaletel. Twelve students were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. Shayden Bernas, Elijah Bjarnson, Ricardo Castillo, Vanessa Espinosa, Steven Grannis, Brian Joos, Michelle Kontomanolis, Amy Lin, Nadiye Pinarli, Isabella Procida, Jenna Raczka, and Tasnim Rauzat. Thirteen of these students were graduating seniors from the class of 2021.
“Congratulations to the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at Farmingdale High School,” said Farmingdale High School principal Dr. Samuel Thomson. “They demonstrate competency in managing long-term projects, collaborating with teams, and delivering effective presentations which will accelerate both their academic and professional careers.”
This is the fourth year AP Seminar is being taught at Farmingdale High School and the third year for AP Research. AP Seminar is a yearlong course in which students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives. Students learn to synthesize information from different sources, develop their perspectives in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as a team. AP Research lets students deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of interest to them. Students design, plan, and conduct a yearlong research-based investigation to address a research question, documenting their process with a portfolio.
“We are extraordinarily proud of our students and the dedication and passion with which they approach their research,” said Nilfur Kelley, AP Research teacher. “They graduate from Farmingdale High School with skills they can and will use in their post-secondary studies and beyond.”
AP Capstone is a diploma program provided through College Board. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two AP Capstone awards, the AP Capstone Diploma or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, which colleges value across the United States and worldwide.
For more information about the Farmingdale Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at https://www.farmingdaleschools.org and like our Facebook page: @FarmingdaleSchoolDistrict.