Level up your learning with the Advanced Placement® (AP®) Capstone program now available through FLVS Flex. Available to high school students entering their sophomore or junior year, this program helps students develop strong research and writing skills for success in college and beyond. In addition, students can earn their AP Capstone Diploma™ or AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ from the College Board.
Earn college credit hours tuition-free with FLVS Advanced Placement courses, including AP Seminar and AP Research.
Collaborate on research topics with higher education faculty and/or local community leaders with the potential to be published in academic journals.
Gain essential skills to think critically, conduct independent research, evaluate arguments, and articulate ideas.
Earn credentials from the College Board valued by universities and employers across the world.
Stand out in college applications by demonstrating high-level research analysis and writing skills that appeal to colleges and universities.
Build on existing knowledge with the rigorous coursework of Advanced Placement (AP) across multiple disciplines.
There are two AP Capstone courses available to FLVS Flex students. In order to earn the AP Capstone Diploma, both must be completed in addition to four other AP Courses - two of which must be completed with Florida Virtual School.
Year 1
Conduct academic discussions over various topics with multiple perspectives, honing debating, writing, and presenting skills. The final AP Seminar score consists of a graded team task as well as an individual task, followed by a free response AP exam in May.
Year 2
Building on skills taught in AP Seminar, AP Research will examine methodologies of research and focus on students completing an independent study and presentation. The Research AP exam score consists of a completed research paper and defense, with no traditional end of year exam.
Students enrolled in the AP Capstone program with FLVS will receive information for registration upon completion of the AP Seminar course.
Below is an example of how a student will progress through the program as well as the major milestones they will need to meet throughout the program.
**Please note the AP Capstone diploma is not a traditional graduation diploma and is not awarded from FLVS Flex. It is a diploma designation from Collegeboard that a student has met the specific AP Capstone criteria.
Question: How do you feel this course affected your outlook on research? Answer: I had a habit of using sources that, now that I understand how to analyze them, were not very credible. I realized that without credible sources, an entire argument can become dysfunctional.
Olivia Smith, student
Question: What did you enjoy about this course? Answer: It makes me think outside of the box. I have the option to stretch my mind and be open with ideas.
Harshil Pahuja, Student
Question: What did you enjoy about this course? Answer: I enjoyed collaboration with other classmates and attending the live lessons.
Lilly Pleasant, Student
Question: What did you enjoy about this course? Answer: I really enjoyed the fact that this class focuses on engaging student's minds with guided thoughtful discussions. The live lessons enhance the feeling of the class and provide an urge to get the assignments done in order to be able to discuss it with everyone else.
Tristyn Rampersad, Student
Question: What were some skills you feel you attained by taking this course? Answer: Making better connections. Having to incorporate my own lens with my other 3 teammates to form one cohesive argument was a challenge, but it helped me open my mind to see the connection.
Aleah Baxley, Student
Students who earn a three or higher on their Seminar and Research courses but not on four additional courses, can still earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate but will not be eligible for the Diploma.
No, AP Capstone must be taught by certified instructors and county virtual schools would need to acquire their own permission to teach from the College Board.
No, AP Capstone is only available to FLVS Flex students at this time. For additional inquiries about when this program will open to additional students contact [email protected].
Additional information can be found by emailing [email protected].
For AP Seminar and AP Research, students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for through-course assessments (performance tasks) and the end-of-course exam for AP Seminar. For information about requesting an accommodations approval, go to collegeboard.org/apssd or contact College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 844-255-7728 or 212-713-8333.
The AP Seminar course is now enrolling FLVS Flex students entering 10th or 11th grade for the 2022-2023 school year. To learn more or express interest in the program, please email [email protected]
Enroll in AP Seminar
Visit the College Board website or Download program overview (PDF)
Online learning options to meet a wide range of student needs.
Course options with flexible start dates, available year round. See additional details for Florida students receiving a School Choice Scholarship, such as Family Empowerment.
A full-time public school following the traditional school year. Enrollment open in June for the 2023-24 school year. Sign up to be notified.
Tuition-based courses for students outside of Florida.
FLVS courses available through your school district. For K-5 check with your county for availability.