Academics

Upper School

"I picked my project because I wanted to learn something practical, stop studying out of books, use my hands, and understand by watching and doing... I wanted to surprise people, prove to myself and others like me that a private school, environmentalist, honor roll girl could be interested, and good at car mechanics"
-- a member of the class of 2006

"The last six weeks spent on my senior project have been some of the most productive and educational days of my life so far.... Senior Project is one of the best things I have ever invested my time in, and I hope it continues as a PDS tradition for the sake of kids younger than me,"
-- a member of the class of 2003

At Princeton Day School, we know fostering independence is integral to all learning.

So for the last six weeks of each academic year, our seniors explore independence through opportunities off campus or through one-on-one projects at school.

These opportunities may involve investigating career possibilities, community service, or focused pursuit of a particular interest, talent, or lifelong dream. The sky is the limit -- as long as the project has intellectural, artistic or educational value and passes muster with the school Senior Project Committee.

In early winter, students research, design, and propose a project; find a sponsor, and establish goals they hope to achieve. Throughout the project , the Commitee, faculty advisor, and the project supervisor support the student’s efforts. All students submit a detailed journal and a written report.

At the end of the six weeks, all seniors present their projects to a panel of teachers and classmates; some also participate in a Senior Art Show or Senior Performance Evening.

Past Projects
While this is by no means a complete list, it should give you an idea of the scope and range of Senior Projects at PDS.
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Knitting: from sheep to sweater
Internship in ophthalmology with local doctor
Internship with the mayor of the Borough of Princeton
Stream restoration with the Stonybrook Millstone Watershed
Internship at Malia Mills, Inc, a New York fashion designer
Quilting: learning and sewing with a local business
Student teacher of Arabic at Noor-Ul-Imam School
Internship at Michael Graves and Associates
Internship at Planned Parenthood Association of the Mercer Area
Apprentice to a chef at a local restaurant
Student teaching at local elementary school
Interdisciplinary work combining ceramics and the study of classical Greek culture
Teaching PDS 4th graders woodworking and the construction of a bench for the school
Film direction and production
Internship at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Internship at NJN
Writing and illustrating a series of children's books
Studying Japanese language and culture
Direction and production of Performing Arts Festival piece
Working at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab
Working at the New Jersey State Museum
Internship at Isles, Inc.
Construction of a stone walkway on the PDS campus

Senior Project Journals
Students are required to keep a journal during their projects to reflect on their experience.
The following are examples of journal entries that met our expectations.
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Example 1
Today Susan was growling at someone from the phone company for "screwing her over." Apparently, no one had returned her calls when she needed help and she bluntly said, "Your business is so terrible." It was great! I'm just glad I wasn't on the other end of the conversation. It made me appreciate how people rely on each other in a small business and how things need to happen when you expect them to.

I also got to see another side of the small business atmosphere. Susan was on the phone with a customer who thought she had been a loyal customer. And she said, "Jen Smith, you're our favorite! Did you get my email?" Susan had personalized an email to one of her customers -- that's what made it special. I see in a business where the designer cares so much about the quality of her merchandise really shows up in the client pool and who she is drawing in. The company also got a personal card from a client thanking them for "the best designed/fit suit ever".

Hearing these conversations every day reinforces the personalization that I've come to admire.

Example 2
To follow up the meeting on Monday, Ed let me listen in on a conference call with the same group of people to go over proper answers to the questions emailed to the foundation by the attorney who is doing the deposition. Once again, I was astounded by the logical, rational approach that Ed uses even in the most difficult and complex situations. The logical, big picture perspective and check that he brings to the group allows it to proceed quickly and efficiently and not get caught in small, insignificant details. It is the ability to see the logical from the abstract and do the minute fact-finding work that he does that allows him to be so useful to corporations, business people, and all of his clients.

Final Report
Students are required to produce a Final Report at the end of the project period.
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Final Reports have various styles, but all are at least 2 pages, typed, with 1" margins and are bound so that they be filed in the library and enjoyed by future students.