WHAT IS CAPSTONE?

The Colorado Springs School's Senior Capstone program is a multi-week, student-generated experience that fosters innovation and engagement in a real-world context. Each Capstone project is grounded in an essential question that has been developed by the student. Project work is then designed such that students are at the center of an intensive investigation to answer the question(s). The process invites students to explore, test-drive, or jumpstart a potential career path or college major. Furthermore, the experience is scaffolded in such a way that students:

• • Question and explore,

  • Understand,

  • Evaluate perspectives,

  • Synthesize ideas, and

  • Transmit what they learn to others

Seniors begin their Capstone journeys on the very first day of class of the senior year. They explore many options in their initial push to find a topic that will draw upon components of their CSS experience in a comprehensive way. The process of investigating potential project topics also asks students to think critically about personal interests that they are motivated to develop a deeper appreciation for.

Seniors conduct informational interviews with professionals as an exercise in networking with industry experts. Based on information collected during the interviews, students formulate the Essential Questions that will inform the direction that the Capstone project will take. An assigned Faculty Sponsor and the Capstone Director meet periodically with each senior throughout the year to solidify the student's project plan. Seniors also secure a Community Mentor, who is an expert in the professional field chosen for the Capstone topic, to help guide and supervise each project.