ap scholars

Twenty-six Vineland High School students were recently named AP Scholars for the 2022-23 school year, as announced by the College Board this month. Every year, the College Board’s AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams. 

AP Scholar Awards have different distinctions, depending on how many tests are taken and the scores on those tests, among others. Of the 26 VHS students who received honors:

  • 18 earned the distinction of AP Scholar - Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
  • Three earned AP Scholar With Honor - Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
  • Three were AP Scholars with Distinction - Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
  • Six earned the AP Capstone diploma
  • Five earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

“We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Ross Stanger, the AP Coordinator for Vineland High School. “Our AP Capstone students and teachers displayed exceptional dedication to this impactful, multi-academic-year program where they got to explore their passions through scholarly research. This is a meaningful college readiness program that will serve our students well after high school.”

VHS currently offers 26 AP courses. All tests are free of charge for these students in recognition of their pursuit of the most rigorous coursework available. 

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 of their choice. 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 TM program. The program has reached a milestone of over 100,000 students participating during the 2022-23 academic year, representing over 2,500 schools worldwide. Approximately 15,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,600 students 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 encouraged 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.

The following students earned the awards:

Joshua Barreiro, AP Scholar with Honor; Gregory Burgess, AP Scholar and AP Seminar and Research Certificate; William Cao, AP Capstone Diploma and AP Scholar; Najvir Dhinju, AP Capstone Diploma and AP Scholar with Distinction; Angel Espinosa, AP Scholar and AP Capstone Diploma; Lillian Fox, AP Scholar; Nathan Freites, AP Scholar; Matthew Garcillano, AP Scholar; Landon Gentile, AP Scholar; Olivia Griggs, AP Seminar and Research Certificate; Sarah Hullihen, AP Scholar; Kimpreet Kaur, AP Seminar and Research Certificate; Katherin Marino, AP Scholar with Honor; Santiago Mondragon, AP Scholar with Honor and AP Capstone Diploma; Makai Myers, AP Scholar; Sophia Nelson, AP Seminar and Research Certificate; Austin Nordberg, AP Capstone Diploma and AP Scholar; Toprak Ozturk, AP Scholar; Hannah Rasmussen, AP Scholar and AP Capstone Diploma; Katherine Rasmussen, AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Capstone Diploma; Brandon Santana, AP Scholar; Arshveer Sehgal, AP Scholar; Moesharlynn Torto, AP Scholar; Lawren Whitesell, AP Scholar; Benson Zhu, AP Scholar; and John Zhytnikov, AP Seminar and Research Certificate and AP Scholar.