Solebury School
Senior Capstone Experience
In the final three weeks of school, Solebury School seniors have the opportunity to gain real-world experience while working as apprentices, conducting independent research, or pursuing creative projects in our Senior Capstone Experience.
With the support of the Senior Capstone Experience leaders, students partner with mentors in different fields of interest to apply their knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
At the conclusion of the three weeks, students showcase their experiences in an evening of celebration.
In the past, students have partnered with organizations such as Bristol Riverside Theater, Willowbridge Associates (a hedge fund), and the Trenton Thunder baseball organization. They volunteered for non-profits like the Billion Oysters Project, the National Museum for Industrial History, and Spring Reins of Life. Others have pursued creative projects including a campus-centered mural that highlights Solebury life.
Students begin this preparation in September and work one-on-one with their Senior Capstone Experience leaders to develop their proposals over the course of the school year.
Coordinators: Lisa Pope and Meg Perry
Guidelines and Overview:
The Senior Capstone Experience is available to all boarding and day in good academic and social standing (see requirements below) to spend the final three weeks of school exploring a career path or personal interest.
The Senior Capstone Experience requires that the student be actively involved in the learning experience—not just going to someone’s office, for example, and stuffing envelopes or answering the phone. Typically, we have students who partner with mentors in various areas of health care, politics, agriculture (for example, a veterinarian or an organic farmer), among other fields. In order to allow/help students who are boarders to take part, it should be noted that some boarders will be allowed to remain in the dorms during the Senior Capstone Experience.
Academic and Social Requirements:
- The student must be in good standing (not on academic probation; passing their classes)
- The student must fulfill all non-academic obligations.
- The student must be in good social standing. If a student is brought before the Judiciary Committee for a major violation, their Senior Capstone Experience may be modified or subject to cancellation.
Additional Requirements:
- All students must submit a proposal for their intended Senior Capstone Experience that must be approved by the program leaders.
- All students must receive parent/guardian permission for their experience.
- All students need a sponsor who agrees to act in a supervisory or leadership role during the student’s experience.
- Students must document their Senior Capstone Experience each week through written and video journals.
- Students may not earn money for the work done during the Senior Capstone Experience without approval from the Senior Capstone Experience leaders.
- Students must be able to showcase their work at the Senior Capstone Experience Showcase at the end of the trimester.