Central High School Senior Earns Prestigious AP Capstone Diploma

Central High School senior Brock Russell has earned the highly regarded AP Capstone Diploma for the 2024–25 academic year, placing him among a select group of students recognized globally for exceptional academic performance, research ability, and critical thinking skills.

The AP Capstone Diploma is awarded by the College Board to students who successfully complete a rigorous sequence of advanced coursework. To earn the honor, students must achieve a score of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research, along with four additional AP Exams of their choice. The achievement is noted on official AP score reports sent to universities, offering a competitive advantage during the college admissions process.

According to the College Board, the AP Capstone program encourages students to explore academic questions, analyze information, and craft evidence-based arguments—skills that carry directly into college and future careers. “Students are not only building essential skills for college and career success but they’re also discovering how their voices and ideas can make an impact,” said Bianca Peart, global director of the AP Capstone Diploma program.

Brock’s success was supported in part by the Keller ISD Education Foundation’s AP Scholarship Program, which fully covered the cost of his AP exam fees. This initiative ensures that academic opportunity is not limited by financial barriers, helping students pursue advanced coursework regardless of circumstance.

More than 160,000 students worldwide participated in AP Capstone during the 2024–25 school year, with only about 27,650 meeting the requirements to earn the AP Capstone Diploma. Brock’s accomplishment places him within an elite group of scholars recognized for dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence.

The College Board’s AP Program continues to provide high school students with opportunities to engage in college-level work, earn credit, and develop the advanced academic and research skills needed for long-term success.