Academy Certificate Requirements

Students will be eligible to receive one of two academy certificates upon completion of the requirements outlined below.

Academy Certificate of Completion

• successful completion of three credits of academy courses/electives*
• successful completion of the capstone experience with a rating of satisfactory

Academy Certificate with Distinction

• successful completion of three credits of academy courses/electives*
• successful completion of the capstone experience with rating of outstanding
• minimum 3.0 GPA in academy courses

*these credits may include required courses identified by each specific Academy

The Capstone Experience

The capstone experience provides each student with the opportunity to explore an area of his or her choice. The activity must be in depth, challenging and reflective of the collective learning of the student relative to the selected academy strand and career focus. With the assistance of the Academy Lead Teacher, teacher mentor, school counselor, and parents, the student will determine which of the following capstone experiences is best for him or her:

• Internship
• Research or Performance
• College Course
• Cooperative Work Experience/On-The-Job Training

Approval

The capstone experience must be approved by the Academy Lead Teacher. Students will submit a capstone proposal during the second semester junior year for approval.

Evaluation

A capstone experience will be evaluated by a committee including the Academy Lead Teacher, mentor, peers and community members. The capstone portfolio must include the following:

• journal
• oral presentation or performance with visual aids
• reflective essay

These pieces are required regardless of the type of capstone experience selected. Capstone experiences will be evaluated by rubrics, which will be available to students once their capstone is approved, and will receive a rating of unsatisfactory, satisfactory or outstanding.