(From the L-R: Stephen Glaudel, Alin Grate, Ben Kantor, James Kearney, Daniel Kim, Lily Nicholl, Rani Patel, Lexi Steen, Tanush Vekaria, and Ethan Whitehurst) (Courtesy of David Thomas)
The Pennridge School District is celebrating students for their exceptional academic achievements, including 72 AP Scholars with Distinction and 15 students who earned AP Capstone awards during the 2024–25 school year.
The AP Scholar with Distinction designation is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all Advanced Placement (AP) Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams, said a Pennridge School District press release.
In addition, 15 Pennridge students earned recognition through the AP Capstone DiplomaTM program, with several earning the prestigious AP Capstone DiplomaTM and others earning the AP Seminar and Research CertificateTM. Among the Capstone winners were multiple 2025 graduates, including Makena Charks, Lucille Chelton, Allanah Crozier, Sean McNally, and Labiba Neha.
The AP Capstone program helps students develop essential college and career skills, critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation, through two interdisciplinary courses: AP Seminar and AP Research, said the release.
“Our students took on some of the most challenging coursework available in high school and excelled. That speaks not only to their hard work but also to the teachers who encouraged, questioned, and guided them along the way,” said Superintendent Dr. Angelo Berrios. “What I appreciate most is that these students did more than complete assignments; they learned how to think deeply, collaborate, and communicate with purpose. Those are skills that last well beyond high school.”
To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choice. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project-based, evaluating mastery of skills through collaborative projects, presentations, and written analyses completed throughout the year. Students are encouraged to investigate topics of personal interest, integrating multiple academic disciplines to develop well-rounded research and communication skills.
At Pennridge, students’ research topics ranged from environmental sustainability and technology ethics to educational equity and community health, demonstrating the diversity of thought and engagement fostered by the Capstone program, said the release.
“Congratulations to all Pennridge students who earned AP Capstone Diplomas, Seminar and Research Certificates, and AP Scholar honors,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “Their achievements reflect both academic excellence and mastery of skills that will serve them throughout their college and professional careers.”
