High Point student earns perfect score on AP research exam

WANTAGE — The administration of High Point Regional High School received a letter on Jan. 30 regarding the academic performance of 12th grader, Morgan Castro, on her AP Research Exam. Morgan Castro earned a 5 on her AP Research Exam, and is one of 176 students world wide to receive a perfect score. Only 2.8 percent of AP Research students earned every single point possible on the rubric. Morgan Castro is among the 511 students worldwide to earn a perfect score on an Advanced Placement given in the Spring of 2017.
The Capstone experience is a two-year course sequence comprised of AP Seminar and AP Research.
It is designed to prepare students to conduct independent, academic research in a field or discipline of their choice, similar to an undergraduate collegiate capstone course. The first course, AP Seminar, is a full-year course where students examine real-world issues from multiple perspectives. Here, students begin to develop the skills necessary to conduct academic research. AP Research is the second part of the two-year sequence, where students are required to conduct research and produce an academic research paper of 4,000-5,000 words along with an oral defense.
The title of Morgan’s research paper is Tertiary Education Transition Services from the State of New Jersey for Young Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Parents in Sussex County. In order to complete her project, Morgan generated a research question, selected a research methodology appropriate for her topic, conducted a review of academic literature, and employed ethical research practices in soliciting information from various local and county officials, culminating in a 5,300-word paper and a 20-minute oral defense.
High Point Regional High School was one of the first five high schools in New Jersey to offer the AP Capstone sequence. We are extremely proud of Morgan’s accomplishment.