Advanced Placement
CNG fully embraces the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program. Building upon a course scope and sequence started at elementary and strengthened through our new, Pre-AP courses in high school, students may choose from 26 AP courses to pursue their academic passions and interests.
CNG students who want a rigorous academic challenge may elect to participate in two distinct and challenging diploma programs offered by the College Board - the Advanced Placement International Diploma and the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA
The Advanced Placement International Diploma offers recognition to CNG students who reflect an international mindset through their AP course of study. Students need to earn a score of 3 or higher on five AP exams in four different content areas that exhibit appreciation of a global perspective in:
- English
- Foreign Language
- Math
- Science
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CAPSTONE DIPLOMA
The Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma prepares CNG High School students for higher education by requiring students to explore and build their knowledge of independent research, collaboration with peers, and communication skills. Students who strive to earn this prestigious diploma must earn a score of 3 or higher on exams in AP Seminar, AP Research, and four other AP subjects of their choosing.
AP SEMINAR
AP Seminar requires a team project, an individual research-based essay in which the students must incorporate College Board-provided material, an oral defense of both the project and essay, and a course exam.
AP RESEARCH
AP Research calls for students to prepare, research, present, and defend an academic thesis of their choosing. During the year-long process to develop their thesis, students must consult an outside expert and conduct quantitative or qualitative research.
AP CAPSTONE PROGRAM
In recent years, CNG students have tackled subjects such as the impact of the Colombian civil war on national parks, environmentally friendly and socially responsible construction methods, and a musical study comparing distinct genres across a historical spectrum. Some students have taken a highly creative and experiential approach, writing a rock opera or crafting a special type of samurai sword, to name only a few.
Both the AP International Diploma and the AP Capstone Diploma offer CNG students unique opportunities to push the boundaries of their intellectual curiosity while simultaneously preparing for the rigors of higher education. We believe the AP Capstone is the pinnacle of a student’s cumulative learning experience from their time at CNG.
By the Numbers
#1
International School for AP Capstone Diplomas
31
Advanced Placement courses offered & 674 exams completed
115
students honored with AP Scholars Awards
90%
of grade 10-12 students enrolled in AP classes