AP® Capstone Diploma
September 2026 - May 2027
Earn your AP Capstone Diploma and add the highest honor conferred by the College Board to your resume in just 5 hours per week! Program starts in September through Elite Open School.
Learn More & Enroll Today
Earn your AP Capstone Diploma at Elite
Elite Open School is proud to offer the AP Capstone Diploma™ program—an innovative diploma program offered by the College Board, the same organization that administers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams.
The program is designed to enhance students' critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills, providing them with a rigorous academic experience that prepares them for college and beyond.
Only approximately 2,000 of the 42,000+ high schools in the United States offer the AP Capstone Diploma.
Elite Open School has been approved by the College Board as a participating AP Capstone school. And as official Elite Open School Learning Resource Centers, our Elite Prep branches are authorized to offer the AP Capstone Diploma.
Only 28,000 of the more than 15 million high school students in the USA earned the AP Capstone Diploma in 2025
The AP Capstone Diploma is the highest honor conferred by the College Board and a truly outstanding way for high school students to differentiate themselves on college applications
An introduction to the AP Capstone Diploma program at Elite Open School from Stephanie, its AP Seminar instructor.
Watch to learn more about AP Capstone from Elite's AP Seminar Instructor, Stephanie!
AP Capstone Students Stand Out
On College Applications + Essays
because they demonstrate critical thinking, communication, and research skills associated with AP Capstone.
In College Interviews
because of the confidence, expertise, and passion they show when they talk about their unique academic projects.
To College Admission Officers
who recognize that AP Capstone students know how to build evidence-based arguments, apply research methods, work in teams, deliver professional presentations, and complete long-term academic projects.
Through Research + Publishing
by receiving research mentoring and publishing support through Elite Open School's partnership with Polygence, a highly respected online research program founded by Harvard, MIT, and Stanford researchers.
Or sign up for an AP Capstone webinar »
How Does It Work?
Elite Open School // AP Capstone Program
The AP Capstone Diploma program consists of two yearlong, college-level courses, AP Seminar and AP Research. These courses help students build exceptionally strong skills in research, writing, and collaboration to prepare them for success in college and their future careers. Support is also available through our partner organization, Polygence, to assist students in developing and showcasing their AP Capstone research.
Year 1: AP Seminar
Students begin by taking the foundational course, AP Seminar. This course focuses on developing students' abilities to explore complex issues from multiple perspectives, evaluate and analyze information, and present persuasive arguments. Students engage in collaborative team projects and deliver individual presentations. We recommend that Elite AP Capstone students take AP Seminar in 10th grade.
Year 2: AP Research
After completing AP Seminar, students continue their journey by taking AP Research. AP Research lets students take on an academic research project of their choice, under the guidance of a mentor. Students learn research methodology, gather and analyze data, and ultimately produce a research paper or create a project showcasing their findings. We recommend that students take AP Research in 11th grade.
4 More AP Courses
Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma. We recommend that students complete at least one AP course in 9th grade and all required AP courses and exams by the end of 11th grade to receive the full benefits of the AP Capstone program before they submit college applications.
Polygence Research Mentorship
In addition to receiving their AP Capstone Diploma, students can also receive research mentoring and publishing support through Elite's unique partnership with Polygence, an online research program founded by Harvard, MIT, and Stanford researchers. Participating Elite AP Capstone students will work closely with Polygence specialists to prepare and showcase their coursework and research projects through publication and competitions, adding even more valuable experiences and achievements to their college applications.
2026-2027 Course Schedule
Year One: AP Seminar
AP Seminar is the first and foundational course in the AP Capstone Diploma program. We recommend that students take AP Seminar in 10th grade.
Semester 1 • Fall 2026
- Dates: September 7 – December 18, 2026
- Live Class: Tuesday 6–8 p.m. OR Thursday 6–8 p.m. (Online classes via Zoom & Assist LMS)
- Office Hours: on Discord; instructor available 6–9 p.m. on Monday and 8–9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
Semester 2 • Spring 2027
- Dates: January 4 – May 7, 2027
- Live Class: Tuesday 6–8 p.m. OR Thursday 6–8 p.m. (Online classes via Zoom & Assist LMS)
- Office Hours: on Discord; instructor available 6–9 p.m. on Monday and 8–9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
Year Two: AP Research
AP Research is the second course in the AP Capstone Diploma program and is open to students who have completed the AP Seminar course. We recommend that students take AP Research in 11th grade.
Semester 1 • Fall 2026
- Dates: September 7 – December 18, 2026
- Live Class: Wednesday 6–8 p.m. (Online classes via Zoom & Assist LMS)
- Office Hours: on Discord; instructor available 6–9 p.m. on Monday and 8–9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
Semester 2 • Spring 2027
- Live Class: Wednesday 5–7 p.m. OR Wednesday 7–9 p.m. (Online classes via Zoom & Assist LMS)
- Office Hours: on Discord; instructor available 6–9 p.m. on Monday and 8–9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
- Office Hours: Available as needed – 2 hours per week
Interested in additional AP programs and courses? Check out our AP with WE Service Program + AP Courses for Credit!
FAQs
- Is AP Capstone a course?
AP Capstone is not a course. AP Capstone is a two-year program based on two AP courses – AP Seminar and AP Research. While other AP courses (like AP U.S. History and AP Chemistry) teach you about specific subjects, AP Seminar and AP Research help you develop academic skills you can use in any discipline.
- Who can participate in the AP Capstone program?
AP Seminar, the first of two AP Capstone Courses, is open to students in 10th and 11th grade. We recommend that students take AP Seminar in 10th grade and AP Research in 11th grade to receive the full benefits of the AP Capstone program before they submit college applications.
- Where can I find more information about AP Capstone?
Contact your nearest Elite Prep center, or send a message through this page’s inquiry form, and we'll answer all your questions about taking the AP Capstone program at Elite. You can also visit the College Board website for more program details.
- Are the courses offered online?
Yes. AP Seminar and AP Research will be offered online via Zoom and Assist LMS, a virtual learning platform.
- Can seniors enroll in the AP Capstone program?
AP Capstone is a two-year program and courses may not be taken simultaneously, so students must start their program no later than 11th grade.
- Can I take AP Research before I take AP Seminar?
No. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research, so AP Seminar must be taken first.
- How many hours per week will I spend on the courses?
You can expect to spend about 5 hours per week on the courses, including class time, teamwork sessions, and homework.
- Lecture + Lab: 2 hours per week
- Teamwork Session @ Elite Branch: 1-2 hours each week (esp. 2nd semester)
- Homework: 2-3 hours each week
- Office Hours (as needed): Available 2 hours per week
- What is Elite Open School?
Elite Open School is an accredited private school specializing in blended learning and providing personalized learning experiences. EOS is committed to serving families around the world with children in grades 5-12 with certified American education and cutting-edge, adaptive curriculum. EOS helps families focus on exactly what they need and free up time for passions and opportunities beyond the classroom.
Elite Open School has been approved by the College Board as a participating AP Capstone school. And as official Elite Open School Learning Resource Centers, Elite Prep branches are authorized to offer the AP Capstone Diploma program.
- What is Polygence?
Polygence is an online research academy founded by Harvard, MIT and Stanford researchers dedicated to democratizing access to research opportunities for high school students. As a partner with Elite Open School, Polygence helps Elite students discover, explore, and showcase their passions through personalized projects with expert mentors to gain valuable pre-college experience and help them stand out.
In the Elite Open School + Polygence AP Capstone program, Polygence experts meet with students to help them strategically choose, develop, showcase, and maximize the value of their AP Capstone projects.
AP Capstone Diploma Webinar
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Join our AP Capstone Diploma Program webinar! Learn how Elite Open School’s AP® Capstone Diploma™ Program can help you develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills while strengthening your college applications. This webinar will cover program details, course structure, key benefits, and how to earn the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma.
Participants will receive valuable information, including:
- Overview of the AP Capstone program at Elite Open School
- Overview of Year 1: AP Seminar
- Overview of Year 2: AP Research
- EOS Program Logistics
- Essential Qualities for Student Success
- Sample AP Seminar and AP Research Presentations
There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. Sign up now to secure your spot and take the first step toward academic excellence!
AP Capstone Webinar Schedule
- Thursday, August 13 at 4:00pm PT
- Saturday, August 15 at 11:00am PT
- Thursday, August 27 at 4:00pm PT
- Saturday, August 29 at 11:00am PT
Interested in the AP Capstone Diploma Program at Elite?
Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you with tuition information, program details, and instructions on how to schedule your free college prep consultation! Online and in-person meetings available.