Saipan International School celebrates its AP Capstone diploma recipients

(Press Release) — At Saipan International School, six students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma. A total of seven have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate from the 2021-22 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical for academic success.

“We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Dr. Ronald E. Snyder, Saipan International School headmaster. “Our AP Capstone students and teachers showed extraordinary commitment while facing historic challenges. This is a meaningful college readiness program that will serve our students well after high school.”

To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Students are increasingly participating in the AP Capstone program. Over 2,200 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2021-22 school year. Approximately 14,100 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,200 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Instead of focusing on one specific academic discipline, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary: students are empowered to create research projects based on topics of personal interest. Students are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

At SIS, students focused their research on a range of topics, including: Saipan Coastal Water Under Covid-19 Restrictions, Diet and Income: Exploring the Relationship Between Income and Diet Quality In Saipan Villages, The Perspective of the Learning Environment: A Review of Saipan’s Middle School Students towards Their Learning Environment, Coastal Erosion on Saipan’s Micro Beach, Examining the Math Model Minority Stereotype among High School Students, Favorable Bias Present in Saipan’s Jury System: Modeled by College Students, Analysis of the Association between Residents and Beach Litter in Saipan, The Correlation Between Stress & School Work Toward A College Student’s Diet, and Using Sentiment Analysis to Predict Meta Stock Prices.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate these motivated students, who worked hard to earn the AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “These students have enhanced the foundation for their future academic and professional careers by honing their ability to manage long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations on topics they’re passionate about.”

Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at Saipan International School:

• Six were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams. They are Linxi Cai, Hyunmin Cho, Sam Culp, Julianne Hall, Cevinna Hwang, and Hyeonbin Jeong.

• Seven were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are Tiana Cabrera, Susan Chen, Huiwon Jeong, Jesse Sablan, James Zeng, Rachel Shin, and Kexuan Yu.

• Seven were graduating seniors in the class of 2022. Hyunmin Cho (Boston University), Julianne Hall (Radford University), Cevina Hwang (Princeton University, Questbridge Scholar), Hyeonbin Jeong (Han Yang University [tentative]), Susan Chen (Purdue University), James Zeng (Boston University), Rachel Shin (University of Toronto).

The College Board Advanced Placement Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. A 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams, saving them time and money. Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.

About SIS

Saipan International School offers outstanding educational opportunities to students in K3-Grade 12. The SIS high school students have access to 15 Advanced Placement Courses and is the only school eligible for the AP Capstone Diploma in Micronesia. Its mission is to help each child reach his or her full potential by providing a positive environment that fosters academic, emotional, and social growth. This environment is created when trust, respect, and acceptance are values shared by students, parents, and school staff.

Saipan International School is committed to creating an educational environment that affirms a wide variety of learning styles, experiences, skill levels, and interests. SIS maintains the highest academic standards, and challenges students to perform at the peak of their potential. Each child is encouraged to develop creativity, enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills, and build a feeling of self-worth. Small class sizes, averaging 18 students, give teachers an opportunity to meet the needs of a diverse student population in a secular, nondiscriminatory environment.

Students explore multiculturalism both in theory and practice. SIS students originate from locations around the world, including the Pacific Islands, Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America. Daily interactions give knowledge that leads to a deeper appreciation and respect for all people.