Senior Project
Description/Philosophy of the Program
The purpose of the senior projects program at University Prep is to give seniors the opportunity to pursue a special interest outside of school and provide a capstone experience to their high school years.
By second semester of senior year, most students have made significant decisions about their college choices. Many feel ready for new challenges and are ready to start making decisions about their own education and possible career interests. A senior project is designed by the individual student who arranges an activity away from the University Prep campus. The decision to do a senior project is voluntary. Projects should involve an investigation of one or more of the following:
- Career exploration
- Continued work on a thesis topic
- An academic interest
- A creative interest
Senior projects are proposed by the individual student and must be approved by the school. This approval is an acknowledgment that a senior has demonstrated the responsibility and maturity to have fulfilled his or her obligations to the school and to the requirements of the senior project program. The same maturity and responsibility are expected of students when they are on the project. The best projects will be a combination of imaginative thinking and practical planning. Once begun, a senior project must be completed in order for a senior to graduate. Projects will take place during two weeks in May.
Project Overview:
- Students must find a University Prep faculty or staff member who will be a sponsor for his or her project.
- Students meet with the sponsor to discuss a possible project. Students then submit a proposal for a project. These proposals are reviewed by the Senior Projects Committee which then recommends any needed revisions.
- All projects must be approved by the Senior Projects Committee before a student can go on a project.
- Students give a final presentation of their project to the Senior Projects Committee, or to the junior class, at the end of the project .
2. Guidelines for Senior Projects
- Projects must be substantial. They cannot be simply leisure time activities or hobbies that can be done after school, in the evenings, or during vacations. All projects are to take place in the
- Projects must be special educational opportunities. They cannot be for employment. Students are not allowed to receive payment for any work done during a senior project.
- In general, students are expected to work six hours each day outside of school on their project.
- Projects may not be used to fulfill the community service requirement for graduation. A senior must be up to date with graduation requirements in order to pursue a project.
- Projects may not be used as a time to travel or to visit colleges.
- No family member or relative may be in direct line of responsibility for the student’s project.
- For those who elect to do a senior project, it becomes an additional graduation requirement.
- Students’ transcripts will reflect that they have completed a senior project.
- Students must provide their own transportation to their projects and whatever financial support is necessary. The school cannot cover any expenses for the project.
Additional Requirements for All Projects
- Seniors going on a project will need to meet with each of their teachers to determine if they need to take a final exam in that class. Exams, if any, will be held during the normal time for senior exams. Material covered on the exam will not include what the senior missed while on a project.
- Any student deciding to do a project who is also involved in the spring musical must plan his/her project so that it does not interfere with participation in the musical.
- Students who are on sports teams, clubs, or any other school activities, must plan their projects so that they are able to continue their participation in these groups. Students will need to plan their projects well in advance, and they may not drop out of these activities so they can do a senior project.
3. Eligibility for Participation in a Senior Project
- A student must be in good academic and social standing to go on a project.
- Graduation requirements must be complete.
- Student must have excellent attendance in all classes.
- Student must obtain permission of the director of
- All fines and fees must have been paid.
- Students are expected to meet all project due dates to remain eligible.
4. During the Project
Students will keep a daily log of what they accomplished each day on the project. Mr. Jewitt will contact each of the students during their project to discuss how the project is going. If a student is not meeting the goals and objectives, or is not using the time appropriately, the Senior Projects Committee will decide whether or not to let the student continue on his or her project.
5. After the Project
At the end of the project, students will give a presentation of what they did and what they accomplished on their project to the
Students who do not successfully complete their project will not receive their diploma at graduation. To complete a project, students will work at school after graduation until the end of the regular school year. The Senior Projects Committee will determine what a student is to do to complete his/her project.
6. Timeline for Projects
Note: All proposals and forms are to be submitted in Mr. Jewitt’s box. Dates have not yet been posted for 2009-2010.
February-March
March 14: Submit the Intent to Do a Senior Project form to the Senior Project Committee which indicates you would like to do a senior project with a tentative description of your project. This is required for participation in a project. Seniors should continue planning their projects.
March-April
Student finds a sponsor and meets with sponsor to discuss project and proposal.
Student meets with any off-campus people with whom the student might be working.
April 15: Proposals due
April 16: Proposals are returned to students. Proposals will either be approved or a student will be asked to make revisions.
April 25: Notification of approval or rejection of revised proposals. Students obtain all signatures on Senior Project Notification form.
April 28: Senior Project Notification form due
May
May 12: Projects start.
May 23: Projects end.
May 28 - June 1: Project presentation