Academics
Signature Programs
AP Capstone™ Program
AP Capstone™ Program
AP Capstone™ is an innovative, rigorous, research-based program from the College Board. It capitalizes on the strengths of Norfolk Collegiate's current AP offerings to engage students in inquiry-based independent research, collaboration, and oral and written communication skills as they investigate contemporary issues and problems from multiple perspectives.
Based on two foundational courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—the AP Capstone™ program offers highly qualified students the opportunity to earn either the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ or the AP Capstone Diploma™.
Based on two foundational courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—the AP Capstone™ program offers highly qualified students the opportunity to earn either the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ or the AP Capstone Diploma™.
Did You Know?
Norfolk Collegiate was the first school in Hampton Roads to offer AP Capstone™, a rigorous, research-based program that builds on our extensive catalog of discipline-specific AP courses.
Benefits of AP Capstone™ Program
AP Capstone™ complements Norfolk Collegiate's academic priorities and initiatives in several ways, including:
List of 3 items.
-
Inquiry-based Framework
AP Capstone's™ foundational courses are built on the "QUEST" framework. Through this, students question and explore; understand and analyze; evaluate; synthesize; and team, transform and transmit arguments drawn from contemporary issues and problems. This inquiry-based approach to research and argumentation reflects Collegiate's focus on developing critical thinkers, readers, researchers and writers. -
Technology Integration
The program's focus on 21st century research, writing and presentation skills is a natural fit with Collegiate's commitment to technology integration across our curriculum. Students employ the "QUEST" method of inquiry using state-of-the-art databases and technology-rich research and presentation tools available through the Stanton Library, the 1:1 iPad® program and the Beazley Communication Arts Suite. -
Access and Success
Norfolk Collegiate offers AP courses in nearly 20 disciplines. On average, more than 70 percent of senniors have taken one or more of these courses. The AP Capstone™ program builds on this tradition of access and success in rigorous, college-level courses.
List of 2 items.
-
AP Seminar
AP Seminar, the first course in the AP Capstone™ sequence, is taken during the junior year in conjunction with AP English Language and Composition. In this course, students develop their research, problem-solving and argumentation skills through the study of classical and contemporary rhetoric. The course culminates in a team project and presentation, an extensive research-based essay and oral presentation and the end-of-course AP Seminar exam. -
AP Research
Students who have successfully completed AP Seminar have the opportunity to continue the program through the AP Research course, which extends the inquiry-based skills developed in AP Seminar. In this course, students embark on a rigorous program of individual research culminating in a 4,000-5,000 word academic paper, a multimedia presentation and oral defense of the research.
The Result
Students who receive scores of three or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as on four additional AP course examinations, will receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.
Students who successfully complete AP Seminar and AP Research but who do not receive scores of three or higher on at least four other AP exams will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
Students who successfully complete AP Seminar and AP Research but who do not receive scores of three or higher on at least four other AP exams will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
Learn more about our personalized education at any of our upcoming admission events. To schedule a personal tour, please contact our admissions team at 757.480.1495.
