9th Grade Capstone Project

Upper School faculty members Elizabeth Carroll, Lauren Romeo, Marshall Johnson, and Lacey Ramsey share about their newly designed Capstone project for the oldest students in our school.

Curriculum Description

9th Grade Capstone Project

This curriculum design project was centered around brainstorming and developing a culminating, interdisciplinary experience for departing ninth-grade students. In recent years, the 9 Capstone has consisted of a public presentation on current events run through the 9 Modern World History course. This new iteration of the 9 Capstone, however, looks to shift the focus back towards the personal interests and experiences of graduating ninth graders, centering on the basic question: “How can you [the student] make a positive impact on the greater world, and/or the NCCS community?” 

This design project team outlined the various project steps, determined scheduling, and created a basic project outline for students. Using an inquiry-based approach, students will brainstorm an issue about which they feel personally passionate; develop a guiding question around which they will research, collect, and analyze data; create a plan of action; and implement it within the community at large and/or NCCS. All ninth graders will then present their research to the school and their families in a special capstone showcase event in the spring. Finally, students will reflect on their capstone experience and how it relates to their time at NCCS in the final days before graduation.

Examples & Resources

Project Overview

• Ninth-Grade Community Action Project