The high school graduation project is a state-mandated element of a student's high school education. It is an independent learning experience in which students choose a topic of interest to them.
According to the PA Department of Education, “The purpose of the culminating project is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.” Title 22 (4.24) of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education Chapter 4 Curriculum.
Completion of the graduation project is a requirement for graduation.
While the project is primarily an independent study project, every student is assigned an advisor to disseminate and collect information.
In addition to an advisor, your son or daughter may elect to work with a mentor, a guide either from within the school community, the home, or the community-at-large. This individual should be someone knowledgeable in the area of the student's interest. The mentor will provide insight and assistance on a need-to-know basis.
Please study the accompanying materials with your son or daughter to assist in focusing his/her interests and in selecting one of the several types of projects available.
During the junior year, the project will be reviewed by the student's advisor during the May meeting. Advisors will ensure that all specific project requirements have been completed. The entire graduation project must be completed by the designated date during the student's junior year. Juniors who fail to complete their graduation projects and present successfully by the May deadline, will not be eligible for senior year early release privileges until at least the end of the 1st marking period (of the following school year), early graduation, or various senior programs that are offered outside the school building.
Your cooperation by signing and returning the signature page as soon as possible is greatly appreciated. We also ask that you help your son or daughter complete the proposal form included in their packet or on this Web site by the end of tenth grade. The purpose of the proposal is to explain what the student plans to do for his or her project. The proposal will then be reviewed by their advisor.
Students whose written and/or oral presentations are evaluated as Unsatisfactory (U) during the original presentation may have the opportunity to correct and resubmit their work at a time set by the school and the Graduation Project Committee.
