Carl Wunsche Senior High School selected for prestigious pilot program

Houston's Carl Wunsche Senior High School is in select company.

The school is one of 15 chosen by the College Board and University of Cambridge International Examinations for the AP/Cambridge Capstone Program and Credential beginning in August, according to a Spring Independent School District news release.

The two-year program is being offered to students enrolled in English III AP and a seminar course in global issues, according to Debi Koch, former Wunsche principal and the school's new executive director for college and career readiness.

The program was developed based on input from higher education organizations that said they wanted students with strong backgrounds in independent research and interdisciplinary academic skills, according to the news release.

The program combines rigorous studies offered through Advanced Placement courses with global curricula and research projects offered by University of Cambridge International Examinations, according to the release.

The AP/Cambridge Capstone Program includes the AP/Cambridge Interdisciplinary Investigations and Critical Reasoning Seminar for 11th-graders. The seminar focuses on developing research skills on global topics such as alternative energy sources, endangered cultures, global climate change and medical ethics and priorities, according to the news release.

It also includes the AP/Cambridge Capstone Research Project for 12th-graders, which requires students to write a 4,500- to 5,000-word academic paper to help them develop practical research skills, according to the release.

Students who earn passing scores in the seminar course and research project and scores of three or higher on at least three AP exams will receive the AP/Cambridge Capstone Credential, certifying their proficiency in college-level subject knowledge and research skills, according to the release.