CAPSTONE PROJECT

All Old Saybrook High School students are required to successfully complete a Capstone project prior to graduation. Capstone enables students to demonstrate the many skills they have acquired while in Old Saybrook Public Schools. Capstone asks students to demonstrate the following 21st century skills:

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Initiative and Entrepreneurship

• Effective Oral and Written Communication 

• Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence 

• Agility and Adaptability

• Accessing and Analyzing Information 

• Curiosity and Imagination

Capstone is documented on each student's transcript as a one-credit, non-weighted class. Students can complete their Capstone requirement through classes such as English in Action, News Media Now, ¡Exploramos!, Advanced Research Methods, Advanced Food Service, or independently. More information regarding Capstone can be found under the CCR tab in the “For Students” section on the OSHS homepage.

Components of Capstone

• Project Proposal

  • This includes, but is not limited to: a description of the project, argumentative synthesis, an anticipated timeline, and teacher and/or mentor approval of a robust project

• Academic Argumentative Synthesis

  • During the course of a student’s high school experience, students learn various critical reading, analytical writing, and synthesis skills. The purpose of the Capstone Academic Argumentative Synthesis task is for students to have an authentic platform to share their knowledge about a topic of their choosing. This task asks students to analyze a perspective or make an argument about a topic. This synthesis may be an expanded essay that presents a student’s interpretation, evaluation, or argument, which is supported with robust, academic sources. 

• Reflection Process

  • This includes: conversations with teachers and/or mentors throughout the year and a written reflection of three 21st Century Skills at the end of the project

• Culminating Presentations

  • Final Presentation: Capstone students present their project and reflection of their learning to a larger audience of faculty and peers during an Advisory/Flex period. This is a requirement for all Capstone students.

  • Student Showcase Gallery Walk: Capstone students showcase their Capstone projects to members of the Old Saybrook community. This evening event happens in the spring. This is a requirement for all English in Action, News Media Now, Advanced Research Methods, and Exploramos students. 

• Robust Project

  • This will fulfill the broad goals of the proposal

• Time Commitment of a minimum of 40 hours

  • This includes time on the academic argumentative synthesis, reflection meetings, and the project itself

Connection between Academic Classes and Capstone

Some classes, such as English in Action, News Media Now, Advanced Research Methods, and Exploramos, help facilitate the Capstone process. These courses’ content includes direct instruction on developing a project, writing a proposal, writing an argumentative synthesis, and built-in check-ins along the way. Students who earn their Capstone credit through these classes are expected to attend the Student Showcase Gallery Walk and must meet with the Capstone Coordinator(s) to check in about progress.

Connection between CCR (College and Career Readiness) and Capstone

Students may choose to fulfill both the .5 College and Career Readiness graduation requirement and the 1.0 Capstone requirement by completing a joint CCR-focused Capstone project.  

The requirements include:

- A proposal document that outlines the student’s plan

             - An Argumentative Synthesis Piece (500-750 words) related to the student’s topic of interest

- Research three post-secondary experiences related to the student’s topic of interest

- Research three possible career paths related to the student’s topic of interest

- Three interviews with professionals related to a student’s field of interest

- Completion of the Career Research Form connected to the OSHS 21st Century Skills

Students enrolled in News Media Now can also earn CCR credit by developing a project with an explicit career-based focus; engagement with professionals in a career field through interviewing, job shadowing, and/or an internship experience.