Wantagh High School students continue to challenge themselves in the rigorous Advanced Placement Capstone program, as 31 students qualified for the AP Capstone Diploma during the 2023-2024 school year.

Six of those students, Madelyn Hartmann, Sierra Kenny, Anthony Lerro, Nyla Lester, Madeline Rose and Salomon Rothe, graduated as part of Wantagh High School’s Class of 2024.

An additional 25 students from the Class of 2025 will graduate with the AP Capstone Diploma in June, having completed the requirements by the end of their junior year. Those students are Alyssa Alexander, Gabriel Avitabile, Michael Avitabile, Rishabh Banerjee, Saige Blaney, Emma Burns, Evelyn Caputo, Emma Colaco, Damien Crowley, Haley Fahey, Ashley Fox, Dylan Herman, Morgan Masterson, Quinn McBride, Shareef McMillan, Paige Miller, Skylar Mondelli, Maximus Naglieri, Ava Padula, Joseph Panella, Aditya Pasricha, Francesco Pellicoro, Catherine Russo, Bridget Toscano and Macen Wood.

To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP Exams of their choice. Approximately 21,000 students received the distinction in the 2023-2024 school year.

Additionally, 13 seniors have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, which goes to students who receive scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Those students still could qualify for an AP Capstone Diploma by completing the other AP exam requirements before graduation.

“We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said. “With the help of dedicated teachers, our AP Capstone students explored their passions through scholarly research as part of an impactful, multiyear program. This meaningful college readiness program will serve our students well after high school.”

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. Students are encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest, and they are assessed on critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management and presentation skills.