Advanced Placement (AP)

AP Seminar is the first course in the AP Capstone experience. Designed by the College Board to parallel college-level courses in critical thinking and communications, AP Seminar courses provide students with the opportunity to explore complex real-world issues through cross-curricular lenses.

Course topics vary and may include local, civic or global issues and interdisciplinary subject areas. Courses typically emphasize research, communication and critical-thinking skills to explore the issues addressed. Students may also examine source materials such as articles and other texts; speeches and personal accounts; and relevant artistic and literary works.

Ultimately, this course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidenced-based arguments.

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue or idea of individual interest. AP research is designed by the College Board to replicate college-level coursework by requiring students to design, plan and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question.

Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words and a presentation with an oral defense.

AP Seminar and AP Research exams cost $142 each. Other AP exams cost $94 each.

According to the College Board, the average cost of college for a single year is $21,500 for public colleges (based on in-state tuition, fees, room and board and miscellaneous expenses). It is estimated that students who complete AP Capstone will save their families $8,500, and it could be much more.

And, students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a college degree on time.* Graduating in four years represents a further and significant savings on the cost of college.

Deciding to take AP courses allows students to stand out during the college admissions process. It allows students to earn college credit and skip introductory (core) classes in college, allowing them to focus immediately on their major in college. Most importantly, the rigor of AP coursework allows students to build college-level skills while still in high school.

Yes. Last year, 25% of our student body took over 900 AP exams and 70% of all students passed exams with a score of 3 or higher. Our program performs above the district, state and national averages.

Yes. All students can retake a course or exam if they want to improve their score.

Visit collegeboard.org/apcapstone for an updated list; however, the simple answer is most colleges and universities support and reward AP Capstone students. In Colorado, nearly all colleges accept AP Capstone coursework and all AP exams when students score a 3 or higher.

• AP Capstone: AP Seminar, AP Research
• Arts: Art History, Music Theory, Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio, Studio Art: 2-D Design Portfolio, Studio Art: 3-D Design Portfolio
• English: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition
• History and Social Sciences: Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History
• Mathematics and Computer Science: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science Principles
• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics
• World Languages: French Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture

Not all of these courses will be offered every year. They will be offered based on student interest and teacher availability.

Here are some examples of how a student at Columbine might meet the Capstone requirements:

Student A:

• Ninth grade: AP Human Geography
• 10th grade: AP Seminar,  AP US History
• 11th grade: AP Research, AP English Language and Composition
• 12th grade: AP English Literature and Composition

Student B:

• 10th grade: AP US History
• 11th grade:  AP Seminar, AP World History, AP English Language and Composition
• 12th grade:  AP Research, AP Psychology

Student C:

• 10th grade: AP Seminar
• 11th grade: AP Research, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science
• 12th grade: AP Physics, AP Calculus

Students can take any four AP courses they are interested in, which makes the AP Capstone program very unique. There is no set program; they can try foreign language, art, English, social sciences, math or sciences – it is completely their choice!

Yes. Last year, Columbine had more than 55 students successfully pass three or more AP exams. Most students are able to do this and remain involved in sports, clubs and various extracurricular activities. Students need to manage their time, but Columbine prides itself on being a comprehensive high school and we want kids involved in our school and community – not just honors courses.