St. John’s Northwestern Strengthens College Preparation Through AP Capstone “Think Tank” Experience
DELAFIELD, Wis. — St. John’s Northwestern continues to expand its rigorous college preparatory offerings through AP Seminar, the first course in the AP Capstone program, implemented at SJN last year. Under the leadership of AP/English Teacher Catherine Windish, students are developing advanced research, collaboration, and presentation skills that prepare them for success far beyond the classroom.
AP Seminar challenges students to explore complex global issues through a multi-layered academic process. Working in teams of four, students select a real-world problem, conduct extensive research, and each writes a 1,200-word individual research report. The culminating project includes a collaborative multimedia presentation, detailed solution proposals, and an oral defense before evaluators.
Windish refers to the course as a “Think Tank” experience.
“AP Seminar empowers students to become selective consumers of information, develop and answer research questions while seeking plausible solutions to real-world issues, and defend their research via effective written and oral communication skills,” said Windish. “Students build confidence and self-efficacy through collaboration and developing strategies necessary for 21st-century learners. Success in the AP Capstone program sets students apart from the status quo and instead positions them to become beacons of light reflecting the payoff of hard work, determination, and resilience; skills necessary for academic achievement and skills necessary for life.”
Catherine Windish joined the SJN faculty in August 2024, bringing 25 years of teaching experience at the junior high and high school levels. Her career began teaching English in a small Catholic school and expanded to include high school social sciences and international school experiences. She is passionate about teaching students “how to think, not what to think,” fostering thoughtful dialogue and intellectual independence in every classroom discussion.
Windish holds an Associate of Arts in Psychology from St. Catharine College in Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Flagler College in Florida. She recently completed her Master of Arts in Psychology through American Public University and holds a Florida professional teaching certificate in English for grades 5–9 and 6–12.
“AP Capstone represents the kind of academic rigor and intellectual independence that defines a St. John’s Northwestern education,” said President Robert J. Fine, Jr. “Under Cathy’s leadership, our students are not just completing assignments. They are learning how to research deeply, think critically, collaborate effectively, and communicate with confidence. These are the skills that set them apart in college and in life.”
Students presenting their Team Multimedia Projects this year demonstrated the depth and discipline required to succeed in the program, showcasing engaging visuals, well-developed arguments, and confident oral defense responses — a reflection of both individual growth and collaborative excellence.
Through programs like AP Capstone, St. John’s Northwestern continues to prepare students not only for college acceptance but for meaningful impact in their future academic and professional pursuits.
About SJN
St. John’s Northwestern is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs built with future aspirations in mind. St. John’s Northwestern is a private coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school and is accepting applications for grades 7 through 12 and post-graduate. Learn more at stjohnsnorthwestern.org.