Capstone Project

Dear GHS Students and Parents of the Classes of 2022 and 2023:

Congratulations to all of you for reaching this important time of your lives! As a culmination of each student’s educational experience, and to demonstrate that you are college and career ready, you will soon begin your Capstone Project. The Capstone Project is designed to showcase each student’s academic achievement, enduring knowledge, and unique talents.

Capstone Project is a mandatory graduation requirement.

The core mission of Capstone Project is to provide each graduate with a self-determined learning experience outside of school. The benefits of Capstone Project is to help students stand out on college and job applications because they demonstrate critical thinking, communication, and research skills. In college and job interviews, they can show their confidence, expertise and passion as they explain what they accomplished. Through their project experience they work on building evidence-based arguments, working in teams, delivering professional presentations, and completing long-term projects.

The main idea behind Capstone Project is transition. This project transitions students from subject specific learning to a real-life experience that the student will benefit from as they step into their next phase of life. We have seen many students benefit from the experience in regards to their academic and social growth as well as seen the benefits of being awarded acceptance into programs, college institutions, job offers, internships, and receive scholarships because of their experience with the Capstone Project.

There are three types of Capstone Projects to select from: Honors, College and Career Ready and Community Service.

For the Honors and College and Career Ready projects, students must complete either an electronic portfolio or a binder that contains the required paperwork, the work behind the 10 goals that were agreed upon, and the documentation of their culmination project. Both projects require 30 hours of work on their physical projects (not including the paperwork), and a tri-fold display board. In addition, the Honors project requires a 10-page thesis paper instead of a journal entry and a presentation to the entire high school student body and the College and Career Ready project requires a 2-page reflective journal entry. The Community Service project does not require completing a binder or portfolio. Instead, students must log at least 30 hours of community service that is verified by a supervisor/mentor, a 2-page journal entry, and a tri-fold display board. All three projects require that students present to the community in an evening presentation in January.

A successful Capstone Project journey involves parental, community, and mentor/advisor support as well as student initiative and self-discipline. To be successful, you must successfully complete each component of your project. Furthermore, this experience cannot rely solely upon what you already know, but must demonstrate an aspect of new learning and growth - a learning stretch. As you proceed throughout the project, you will be informed of specific deadlines and requirements, and time will be provided two times a week during Flex to meet with the Capstone Advisor for direction and to ask questions.

The faculty and staff of Gorham High School are excited to support you, as you journey through this unique and beneficial learning process.

Sincerely,

Christine A. Lemoine

Capstone Advisor