Bergenfield Public School District Celebrates Its AP Capstone Diploma Recipients

Over 3,500 schools worldwide participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program, a project-based learning experience valued by colleges and universities across the U.S. and across the globe.

Bergenfield, NJ ─ At Bergenfield High School, 14 students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma™ , and 16 students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2024-25 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic and career success.

“We are thrilled to learn that our high performing students are recognized for their AP Capstone achievements. The AP Capstone program challenges students and to explore their passions using evidence-based research to further the knowledge on their selected topic. These students are able to obtain research skills that are comparable to graduate-level assistants at colleges and universities,” said Dr. Christopher Tully, Superintendent of Schools. “We are very proud of our student success in the AP Capstone Program at Bergenfield High School. Students in the AP Capstone Program are fully engaged to read, write and think critically led by dedicated teachers who are creative and resourceful in their instructional delivery. The research and presentation skills gained in the AP Capstone Program provide an extraordinary path for BHS students towards college readiness,” said Mr. Robert Ragasa, Principal.

To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional Advanced Placement ® (AP ® ) Exams of their choice. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

During the 2024-25 school year, more than 160,000 students in over 3,500 schools worldwide participated in AP Capstone. Of these, approximately 27,650 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 12,430 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project-based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest and are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

“The AP Capstone program reignites curiosity in the classroom,” shared Bianca Peart, global director of the AP Capstone Diploma program. “Students are not only building essential skills for college and career success but they’re also discovering how their voices and ideas can make an impact.”

"Congratulations to all the students who earned AP Capstone Diplomas and AP Seminar and Research Certificates during the 2024-25 school year,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “Their hard work has helped them build foundational skills in project management, presentation, collaboration, and research that will contribute to their success in college and in their professional careers.”

Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at [school or district]:

• 14 were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams.
• 16 were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

The College Board AP Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. Earning a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement in college courses, or both, 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.

In partnership with the higher education community, College Board developed AP Capstone courses to help students build and master skills essential for success in college and career.

“AP Seminar and AP Research sets students up for collegiate success as they learn how to tackle a large-scale project and persevere to completion,” shared Dr. Kellee J. Kirkpatrick, senior research fellow at Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at The Bush School of Government and Public Service – Texas A&M University. “We have heard multiple reports from AP Capstone alumni that while their college peers are stressing over small, five-page papers, Capstone students are tackling these projects with confidence. Additionally, completing the AP Capstone courses helps students to be careful consumers of knowledge and well-informed, critical citizens.”