First group of LPS students earn Advance Placement Capstone Diploma

The first group of Lincoln Public Schools students walked away with Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diplomas over the summer - 13 total from two high schools.

The AP Capstone Diploma program is based on two year long AP classes: AP Seminar and AP Research. The classes help students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration and presentation skills for life after high school. Seniors must earn scores of three or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP exams to receive this honor.  

LPS is one of three districts that have the AP Capstone Program. It started at Southeast and North Star high schools in 2020. Only five Nebraska schools have the program. 

“I was excited to learn I would be one of the first in Lincoln to graduate with an AP Capstone diploma,” North Star Graduate Zein said.

“It was an incredible privilege to be associated with these students, but this group took a chance on us,” said Brian Wandzilak, North Star AP Capstone teacher. “They trusted that we would guide them through this relatively unknown program in the state of Nebraska. They trusted that we would provide them with the skills they needed to maximize their time in AP Capstone.”

More than 2,200 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2021-22 school year and about 14,100 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma. LPS students scored higher than the global average.
 
“The level of rigor in an AP course provides a challenge for these talented students and presents a great opportunity for them to grow. It is very rewarding to see students rise to the challenge and learn what they are capable of achieving,” added David Nebel, Southeast AP Capstone teacher.

The courses give students the unique opportunity to align their interests to their coursework, equipping them for college and beyond. 
 
“I am very thankful I was granted an opportunity offered at only two high schools in Lincoln. AP research taught me many real-world skills that have improved my understanding of the academic and scientific inquiry process,” Zein said.

Congratulations to the 2022 LPS Advance Capstone graduates:

Lincoln North Star High School

Zein Saleh

Rebecca Walker

Lincoln Southeast High School

Jocelyn Garcia Gutierrez

Seth Goldsmith

Marielle Hinrichs

Ellison Lechtenberger

Adalia Maiyo

Corynne Olsen

Ella Salem

Ansley Sothan

Madeline Splichal

Lily Talley

Sarah Washburn


Published: September 14, 2022, Updated: September 15, 2022