"We are excited to honor the achievements of the students involved in the AP Capstone Diploma program," stated Dr. Brian Tate, Principal of Dobyns-Bennett High School. "The dedication demonstrated by our AP Capstone students and teachers was exceptional, enabling them to explore their passions through extensive research. This program equips our students well for their college journeys and will provide lasting advantages even after they graduate from high school."

The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic success. 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. The capstone program is led by Dobyns-Bennett Chemistry and AP Research teacher Ushma Kothari and English and AP Seminar teacher Leigh Tuell.

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. 

"I commend our 190 AP Scholar students for their commitment and determination in tackling and excelling in such challenging coursework," said Tate. "Not only have they taken on college-level challenges, but they have also achieved remarkable success. These students exemplify excellence, and Kingsport City Schools, along with Dobyns-Bennett High School, take great pride in their accomplishments. I am confident that these students will continue to thrive in their future educational pursuits."

 

Out of the 190 AP Scholars, a total of 79 students have been named AP Scholars (earned scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams), 31 AP Scholars with Honor students (average score of 3.71 on all exams and at least a 3 on four or more exams), and 80 AP Scholars with Distinction students (average of 4.1 on all exams and at least a 3 on five or more tests). In total, 508 students took 1,015 exams with an 87 percent pass rate.

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 high standards.

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