by Jamari Saint Cyr
AP Capstone is a two-year course that focuses on independent research and collaborative assignments. The class is split into two years: Seminar and Research, and both courses are taught at Apopka High by Mr. Blevins. For the Seminar Course, the students throughout the school year have to prepare an essay and give a group presentation. They are given a theme to base their essays around and pick a topic of their choosing that they want to focus on, as long as it reverts back to the overall theme. 
The Research class is similar to Seminar, but differs in that it focuses deeply on students exploring topics of their own individual interest and allows them to conduct a research-based investigation. “We learn the mechanics of research, which is necessarily formulaic, which can then be superimposed on the area of study each of the students is most interested in. Trying to find an area of concern that warrants further investigation that hasn’t been trampled over is a process that takes far more time than most realize,” shared teacher Mr. Blevins.
He wanted to approach AP Capstone as areas of study that are “very eclectic” and individualized to each student. “Most of the work inherent is customized and unique to the student’s interests, and that fits with my general interest in many areas, and relative lack of expertise in most others,” Mr. Blevins stated. “I’m honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity.”
In addition to this, we asked Mr. Blevins what it is that he enjoys most about teaching the course, to which he responded, “I enjoy the evolution of the students, the discovery that their horizons are far wider and brighter than they might have first imagined. If they can master a class that is effectively equivalent to a graduate level class in college, they start to feel they can do anything, and our graduates prove they can!”
Lastly, he shared some of the overall benefits that students could see as a result of taking the two-year class. “I feel like the greatest testimony the course generates is the aspiration of our graduates. I wouldn’t dare take a scintilla of credit for our graduates and former students who are currently roaming the campuses of UNC, UF, Georgetown University,Trinity College in Dublin, studying overseas as Fulbright scholars, among other institutions of higher learning, or preparing to take off on their life’s adventure for this year’s graduates, but I like to think the course played some small role in their success.”
When a student takes both parts of the AP Capstone course, if they earn a score of 3 or higher for both courses, they are then on track to receive the AP Capstone Diploma when they graduate which looks great for colleges.
Jenelle Fernando, a sophomore currently taking AP Capstone Seminar graciously shared with us how she feels about the class overall, now being more than a year into the course. “AP Capstone is a very fun and challenging class to take. I LOVE the fact that we get to pick our own topic to research. Taking this class allows you to tell everyone what you are passionate about.”
For sophomore Jackson Houvouras, it’s the class’s “free nature” that he loves most about AP Capstone. “When it comes to our projects and essays, we are able to write about whatever subject we want, as long as the writing and research skills we learned about in class are present within our work. The freedom to be able to talk about whatever topic I like is pretty nice,” said Jackson.
QUEST is a research foundation that the class encourages students to follow
A class like AP Capstone is one that can be hard to easily adjust to for anyone who may be socially anxious or not as comfortable with their public speaking skills.
For Jenelle, when it comes to how the class has affected her personally overall, she says, “I have always been a shy and soft-spoken person when it came to talking to a crowd, but taking AP Capstone has taught me how to fix these problems and to be confident in the way I speak.”
“When I first entered the class I knew we would be writing, but I didn’t really have a full understanding of what was going to go on within the class,” Jackson told us. “But now that I have spent time working in the course, I realized how much writing has an effect on your life–especially when you plan on going to college where you have to write thesis essays in a bunch of classes.”
Like any class, AP Capstone has its downsides for some. Jackson expressed to us, in addition to what he likes about the course, something that he doesn’t enjoy. “While I do enjoy writing, I’m not a big fan of the group presentations that our writing has to revolve around. If we just had to write an essay about a certain subject, then make our own personal presentation about that topic, I would be an ace. But within the class we have to make a group and every member in that group each has to make sure their essays all flow together and all help support the main thesis. Having to rely on others for a grade is a little annoying.”
This goes to show that AP Capstone isn’t necessarily an easy class at all times, and both Jenelle and Jackson would agree to that. “I think the class challenges me perfectly,” Jackson enlightened. “It allows me to openly express my own opinion while still making sure I employ specific skills that show that I paid attention to our lessons and the articles we read within our research books.” For Jenelle, she feels the class challenges her enough, as well, stating, “I think that this class is challenging because of the fact that it is purely based on the amount of effort you decide to put into your research.”
Both Jackson and Jenelle said that they’d recommend the class to anyone who wants to take the class or is maybe considering looking into the class. “I definitely would recommend this class to anyone who wants to improve their speaking skills and challenge themselves with —in my opinion—the most intellectual and hardworking students in the school.”
“I definitely recommend the class as it helps build the work ethic and writing skills that will actually have a positive impact on life, as a lot of modern jobs have research and writing as an aspect of their work,” Jackson shared.
If you’re someone who’s looking to improve your writing, public speaking, and research skills that would be useful when you go to college or when you enter the workforce, AP Capstone is a class that would definitely be up your alley.