Jackson Academy is proud to be the only independent school and just the third school in Mississippi to offer the AP Capstone program, a distinguished two-year sequence that transforms how students think, research, and communicate. This rare opportunity positions JA students among a select group with access to college-level academic training unavailable at most schools in the state.
What is AP Capstone?
AP Capstone is modeled after college-level curricula, giving students an experience that mirrors the academic expectations of higher education. Rather than emphasizing rote memorization or narrow subject focus, the program cultivates analytical, research, and communication skills that serve students in any academic discipline. The program consists of two challenging courses, taken sequentially over two years:
In AP Seminar (Year One), students are immersed in collaborative learning, giving them essential practice in both leading and contributing within group settings while developing the skills necessary to communicate their ideas persuasively. The opportunity to tackle real-world problems sparks their curiosity, making every project more engaging and meaningful. As they work together on topics that matter to them, students learn to build compelling arguments, weigh a range of perspectives, and sharpen their research, analysis, and evaluation skills.
Dr. Cassidy Swinney, JA’s AP Seminar teacher, describes the course as “a place where students cultivate skills that will help them in any and all careers. It is a class that places the focus on skill development, personal growth, and future success rather than content. This year, our inaugural AP Seminar class has shown remarkable transformation. Students who began the year hesitant to speak in front of peers have evolved into articulate, self-assured presenters who command authority on their chosen topics.”
AP Research (Year Two) launches students on a personal academic adventure, where they step into the shoes of true scholars. With creative freedom, each student conceives and carries out an original research project driven by their own passions, whether unraveling the mysteries of climate science, exploring the healing power of music therapy, or investigating urgent questions of social justice. Over the course of the year, students transform curiosity into expertise, ultimately producing a 5,000-word thesis and defending their discoveries in a formal presentation. This immersive experience empowers students to become authorities in their chosen field.
What Makes AP Capstone Different?
While traditional AP courses ask students to learn specific subject material through memorization and recall, AP Capstone asks students to learn how to think, research, and communicate. The program emphasizes analysis, synthesis, and creation over content absorption.
This shift from “what to think” to “how to think” represents a fundamental change in approach. Students engage with real-world problems, wrestling with ambiguity and multiple perspectives rather than seeking single correct answers. They learn to navigate the complexity that characterizes genuine intellectual work. These abilities translate directly to college classrooms where students must manage long-term projects, conduct sophisticated research, write academic papers with proper citations and argumentation, and work collaboratively with colleagues.
Student Voices
“If you care about doing well and work really hard, you end up learning so much about not just the course but yourself as well.”
– Lila Easley
“My research skills have greatly developed, so in essays for other classes, I am better at overall writing and finding great sources to back up my claims.”
– Hays Carson
“I was surprised with how easily I developed speaking skills.”
– Slates Veazey
“It’s exactly like working out. I hate working out, but the feeling after is amazing.”
– Lucy Canton Hogue
Life Skills That Transfer Across Fields
The skills developed through AP Capstone extend far beyond academia. Students emerge with abilities the modern workforce demands:
- Critical Thinking: The capacity to analyze complex problems from multiple angles
- Communication: The ability to present ideas persuasively in writing and orally
- Collaboration: Experience working effectively in teams toward common goals
- Information Literacy: The skill to evaluate sources and distinguish credible information from misinformation
- Problem-Solving: Practice tackling real challenges without predetermined solutions
These transferable skills serve students regardless of their eventual career path, whether they pursue medicine, law, business, education, engineering, or the arts.
The Power of Student Choice
“AP Seminar allows students to combine their personal interests with their school work,” says Sue Berman, a current AP Seminar student. One of AP Capstone’s most distinctive features is student-driven engagement. When students research topics they genuinely care about, motivation soars and learning becomes both memorable and relevant. Students aren’t assigned generic topics; they explore passion projects meaningful to them. This ownership transforms the educational experience. Students become the experts, taking pride in work that reflects their authentic interests and ideas.
The AP Capstone Diploma
Students who score 3 or higher on both AP Seminar and AP Research, along with four additional AP exams, earn the AP Capstone Diploma, a credential that stands out on college applications and is recognized by institutions nationwide. This achievement exhibits academic excellence across a variety of fields and demonstrates the intellectual risk-taking that selective colleges value.
Addressing Common Concerns
Is it a lot of work? Yes, AP Capstone is rigorous, but JA has structured it in a way that is carefully scaffolded. Students learn time management skills that pay dividends throughout college and beyond. The workload prepares them for the reality of higher education rather than leaving them shocked by college-level expectations.
Alexander Weems, a current AP Seminar student said, “When people need help with an essay, they come find an AP Seminar student. We are becoming known for our skills in writing and analysis.” Another current AP Seminar student, Grace Wicks, describes the course as a place where “everyone learns their strengths and how to utilize your strengths alongside the strengths of others.”
Will it hurt their GPA? Students who engage meaningfully with the courses typically perform well. More importantly, colleges value intellectual risk-taking and recognize the distinction of AP Capstone coursework. At JA, AP courses receive a 10 percent weight on grades, acknowledging their advanced rigor.
A Distinctive Opportunity
Kyle Nichols, Head of Upper School, emphasizes the program’s significance. “The AP Capstone program is something we as a school have pursued as a special opportunity for our students that is not available in many places. We are always looking for ways for our students to stand out and to show their exceptional talents,” he said. “This program emphasizes their hard work and dedication to their academic studies. As a school that prides itself on preparing students for the collegiate level, this program is the embodiment of college preparation with the expectation of research, writing, and collaboration. We are so excited to continue to grow this program and watch our students excel.”
In offering AP Capstone, JA provides students with an opportunity available at very few Mississippi schools. The program reflects JA’s commitment to developing skilled thinkers prepared for the challenges of college, career, and citizenship in an increasingly complex world.
