During the 2021-22 school year, five students from Haddonfield Memorial High School (HMHS) earned the AP Capstone Diploma™ and an additional six students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
The five students who were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma are class of 2022 graduates Lily Cheatham, Jada Eible Hargro, Alexis Hochgertel, Joshua King and Sean Sullivan.
Six who were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate are class of 2022 graduates Charlotte Goldman, Matthew O’Leary, Colin Redmond, Meredith Simms, and seniors Kathryn Vanarnam and Erica Watts.
Initiated in Haddonfield in the fall of 2020, the AP Capstone Diploma program is a project-based learning experience that helps students develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical for academic success.
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.
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.
“We proudly recognize the achievements of current students and graduates who participated in the AP Capstone and AP Seminar and Research programs,” said Tammy McHale, HMHS Principal. “Our 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.”
Unlike traditional AP® subjects with a single end-of-year exam, 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. HMHS students chose topics that included climate education for elementary students, the spotted lanternfly’s effect on South Jersey’s vineyards, COVID-19 and Rose’s Theory of Prevention, test-optional admission policies and student confidence, and Generation Z’s opinions on the Pledge of Allegiance.
“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 long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations on topics they’re passionate about.”
