Senior Keystone Project
A Year-long Independent Study Project
As a culmination of their high school education, the Keystone Project invites seniors to become the primary drivers of their learning, both in and out of school.
Over the course of their senior year, 12th graders spend 80–100 hours developing and executing their Keystone project. They examine a topic of personal interest through multiple perspectives and modes of study, both inside and outside the walls of JCHS, gaining valuable skills in the process. Projects culminate in a public presentation, where students share their work with peers, faculty, families, and community members.
How It Works
The Keystone Support Structure
As part of their senior year schedule, every student is part of a Keystone Design Team—a small cohort of peers led by a faculty member who serves as the Keystone Design Team Leader. This class block provides time for structured check-ins, peer feedback, and project development. While students receive in-school support during their designated Keystone block, much of the work takes place independently, outside of regular school hours.
Learning by Doing
The Four Cornerstones of Keystone
- Communication
Students learn how to communicate with people within JCHS and in the outside world through networking, interviewing, and delivering formal and informal presentations of work progress.
- Project Management
Students learn to organize and manage a long-term project through goal setting, periodic project reviews, and regular check-ins with their Keystone Design Team Leader.
- Community Engagement
Students connect to the community outside of JCHS by identifying and engaging people who can guide their process and sharing their project with an authentic audience.
- Iterative Process
Students learn how to gather feedback and information by testing their project concept or product through prototyping and regular interactions with an audience, beneficiaries, or recipients outside of JCHS and immediate friends/family.
