The proposed program requires PAUSD high schools to incorporate two pathways: the AP Capstone Diploma and the Advanced Diploma. To achieve the AP Capstone Diploma, students must take AP Research and AP Seminar — which together provide the Capstone Certification — plus four additional AP courses, and score a three or higher on each respective AP exam. For the Advanced Diploma, students must meet the criteria for the AP Capstone Diploma, participate in the Great Minds Speaker Series,
complete an internship, achieve national merit, have a qualifying SAT or ACT score and create an oral defense portfolio stating their qualifications and how they are fit for the achievement.

Overall, this aims to recognize students for their achievements during high school and set them up for success in their future pursuits, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Austin.

“We want students to feel good about whatever they’re good at,” he said. “If a student is great academically, they will get a reward down the line; It could be admission to whichever college they want to attend or entry into a profession that they want. (The district) thinks there’s a little more room for us to do a better job of recognizing students while they’re still (at Palo Alto schools).” With developments constantly emerging, according to Principal Dr. Wendy Stratton, the program is now shifting away from a simple, standardized curriculum to offering unique opportunities, reinforcing Austin’s idea of focusing on students’ achievements. “(The board) is going through a process to determine how to recognize academic distinction),” she said. “(The board is) more moving toward a not-so-College Board or AP-focused (program) anymore.”

According to Stratton, the administration and the rest of the district is constantly revising this new program and is gathering feedback, as mentioned in the Superintendent’s Update from Aug. 15.

“(The district) is getting feedback from the high schools and trying to decide how we can celebrate students without creating a new goalpost,” she said. “We want to find more ways to (celebrate students), and (figure out) how we can make this something that reflects our values in our mission statement.”

According to Gunn School Board Representative Angelise Chang, there have been concerns about how the new program may add additional stress to PAUSD’s high school population.

“I think the district is really trying to emphasize that (the program) is for exceptional students and is an additional achievement,” she said. “But then, of course, within our district there’s a lot of pressure to always be at the top.”

Chang mentioned that while potential challenges exist, the program would provide students with additional ways to pursue research. She highlights that the program would add on to existing programs, such as the Advanced Authentic Research course, rather than replacing them.

According to Assistant Principal Harvey Newland during The Oracle’s August 29 administration press conference, striking a balance between mental health and recognition is needed. As much as Newland appreciates the idea this program wants to promote, he is still wary about the effects.

“I get concerned when we move goal posts for students,” he said. “I understand the idea of gaining recognition for the rigor that students go through, but I think there’s a balance and a way that we need to think about this before we create a situation where students feel like ‘I have to do (certain courses) in order to compete at a certain level.’ I just get worried about creating an environment where students are pushing themselves, where in the past (without the program), they wouldn’t feel like they need to (push themselves).”

School board member Alison Kamhi emphasized that a major aspect of the new Diploma Program would be inclusion. Kamhi specifies that the program would include having the capstone classes that are already offered at Paly, such as AP Research and AP
Seminar, offered on Gunn’s campus as well.

“I raised some questions about making sure that if we do have this program, then it’s accessible to all of our high school students.”

Similarly, Kamhi mentioned that the program would aim to contribute to PAUSD’s mission of Serving and Celebrating Others,
fostering a culture of recognition.

“It (focuses on) recognizing the great work that students are already doing,” she said. “Certainly, we already have students who are meeting these criteria, so it would be recognizing it.”