Capstone Project
	The Capstone project has been a hallmark of the Middle School experience and eighth grade year since the 2005-2006. The goal of this project is for each eighth grade student to find a subject that they are interested or passionate about. These topics have been as diverse as the Ballet, the 9/11 Commission findings, the 1918 Flu Epidemic and its relation to the Bird Flu Crisis, parity in the NFL since the formation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Turkish Folk Tales, among many others.

	Each student works during their hour and a half Capstone period on Wednesday afternoon under the guidance of both their government teacher as well as their Mentor teacher. In the course of completing the project, each student must write a research paper in the fall, develop a technology piece in the winter, and then do something of their own choosing in the spring. Some of the personal choice pieces might involve the performance of something that they have developed (such as a dance or playing or performing a piece), writing something, making something, or conducting some kind of independent research.

	The culminating event of this experience is on our symposium day. On this day in May, there are no regular classes for the entire Middle School. Instead, the eighth graders present their capstone projects to classes of sixth and seventh graders. This allows the other students in the Middle School to share in the excitement that the eighth graders have towards their projects. The ultimate goal of the Capstone project is to create an environment where students are excited about their learning and they can share that interest in the course of developing a community where it is “cool” to be engaged and excited about learning.