Students

Senior Class

Everything the senior class and their families need for the year ahead: capstone deadlines, cap and gown ordering, and upcoming meetings.

Placeholder: Add a short welcome from the senior class sponsor or the high school principal.

Senior Capstone Project

How Does One Live Well?
The 2026-2027 capstone prompt

Every Vanguard senior completes a capstone project: a research paper and a formal speech answering the question How does one live well? Students draw on at least three sources from the Vanguard high school curriculum, include at least one personal anecdote, and work with a mentor of their own choosing over the course of the year.

The project is worth roughly 15 percent of the second semester English grade, and both the paper and the speech are graduation requirements.

The Paper

3,500 to 5,000 words
  • Roughly 10 to 12 pages, MLA format
  • At least three sources from the Vanguard curriculum, plus optional outside sources
  • At least one personal anecdote
  • Submitted in stages with revisions along the way
  • Assessed by peer reviewers and a member of the faculty grading team

The Speech

12 to 15 minutes
  • Presented to students, faculty, and parents in the Vanguard library
  • Five 3×5 notecards (fronts only) or one double-spaced page, 12pt Times New Roman
  • Defended in response to questions from students and faculty
  • Video recorded
  • Assessed by members of the faculty speech grading team
Scholarship Opportunity

The top four projects compete for scholarship prizes.

A panel of teachers and administrators selects the top four projects in the senior class. Those students present their work to students, faculty, and parents at an all-school forum in April, after which the panel awards the prizes.

First place
$2,000
Second place
$1,000
Third and fourth
$500 each

2026-2027 Capstone Deadlines

Deadlines are non-negotiable. If you are absent on a deadline day, your work must be submitted electronically by the date and time listed.
September 2026
Sep 1
Tue
Mentor profiles and selection sheets provided to seniors
Hard copies given out in class.
Sep 2
Wed
Mentor requests due
Turn in to your teacher in class.
Sep 8
Tue
Mentors announced
The mentor and mentee list is posted.
Sep 9
Wed
Capstone kickoff
3:45 to 4:15 p.m. in the Cafetorium.
Sep 25
Fri
Mentor Meeting 1 deadline
Bring your materials. Focus: brainstorming, sources, and thesis.
October 2026
Oct 12
Mon
Thesis statements and source lists due
Oct 30
Fri
Mentor Meeting 2 deadline
Submit a draft of your personal anecdote to your mentor in advance.
November 2026
Nov 2
Mon
Outlines due, graders announced
Outlines receive grader feedback.
Nov 16
Mon
Outlines returned
Students who did not pass should meet with their teacher.
December 2026
Dec 1
Tue
Mentor Meeting 3 deadline
Submit your first submission to your mentor at least 24 hours ahead.
Dec 4
Fri
First submissions due
Two copies, for peer exchange.
Dec 9
Wed
Reviewed peer papers due
Turn in to your teacher.
Dec 18
Fri
Peer reviews returned
Composition grades come back for editing and review.
January 2027
Jan 13
Wed
Second submissions due
At the top of class. Note the due time. This is the graders' first viewing.
February 2027
Feb 5
Fri
Second submissions returned
Feb 19
Fri
Final submissions due
At the top of class. Note the due time.
March 2027
Mar 5
Fri
Final submissions returned
Mar 19
Fri
Mentor Meeting 4 deadline
Focus: developing the speech element of the project.
Mar 30
Tue
Two sets of peer questions due
Must be typed.
Mar 30
Tue
Speech notes due
Five notecards or one single-sided double-spaced sheet.
April 2027
Apr 5-9
Mon-Fri
Formal presentations
Live in the library. Sign up for a speech slot in advance.
Apr 13
Tue
Mentor thank you notes due
Apr 20
Tue
Finalists' presentations and scholarship selection
In the Cafetorium, before an invited audience from the Vanguard community.

Placeholder: Upload the Senior Capstone Process Packet and the grading rubrics to the media library, then point the two buttons below at them.

Ms. Roark, Senior Capstone Coordinator
Questions about the capstone process, mentors, or deadlines.

Cap and Gown Ordering

Every graduating senior needs a cap and gown for commencement. Orders are placed through our supplier, and there is a deadline, so it is worth doing early.

Placeholder: Add the supplier, the ordering link, and the order deadline.

Order Your Cap and Gown

Order Deadline

MONTH 00, 2027
Late orders may not arrive before commencement, so please order by this date.

Upcoming Meetings

Senior class and senior parent meetings through the year. Bring your questions.

Placeholder: Add each meeting as it is scheduled, and remove the card once the meeting has passed.

MONTH
00

Senior Parent Meeting

Location and time to be confirmed.
MONTH
00

Senior Class Meeting

Location and time to be confirmed.
MONTH
00

Commencement Rehearsal

Attendance required for all graduating seniors.

Questions About Senior Year?

Contact the high school front office and we will point you to the right person.