Bellefontaine High School is proud to be one of approximately 2,200 schools participating in the AP Capstone Diploma program, a project-based learning experience valued by colleges and universities across the U.S. and around the world.

During the 2022-2023 school year, three BHS students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and one has earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. The AP Capstone Diploma program is in its fourth year at BHS and helps students to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical to academic success.

“We are very proud of our students who took on the challenge of participating in the AP Capstone Diploma program. These students did not shy away from this academic rigor and we are ecstatic about their success,” said BCS Gifted Coordinator Angie Horvath. “Our AP Capstone students and teachers, Meredith Richters and Jim Robinson, continue to show extraordinary commitment to a very strenuous program. These meaningful college readiness courses will serve our students well after high school.”

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. “It’s very exciting for our four students to be included in this elite group that is only offered at select schools worldwide,” said Horvath.

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. 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 and they are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at Bellefontaine High School:

Two were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams. They are 2023 graduates Mason DeLong and Landon Kelley. In addition, senior Oliver Moreland has already met all requirements to be issued the diploma upon graduating in 2024.

2023 graduate Tierani Priest was awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

Photos: Mason DeLong

Landon Kelley

Oliver Moreland

Tierani Priest