Each Journey School student culminates his or her education here by completing an 8th Grade Project. These are in-depth projects that take months or even the entire school year to complete. Students start by finding a mentor who can teach them about their chosen subject. The project includes a research paper, hands-on project and oral presentation given in front of an audience of their peers, teachers and families. This is a special opportunity for the community to get to know the graduating class and find out what they are passionate about.
Emma, a Journey alum who currently attends Orange County High School for the Arts, says that among her best memories of Journey School were giving and listening to 8th grade projects. According to Emma, “This unique custom allows students to transition into high school with a significant research project and essay while integrating the creative aspect that Journey is so well known for. Getting in contact with mentors and speaking about their topic publicly prepares students to be independent in their high school years.”
Sophie, another former Journey School student, recalls how important the 8th grade projects were to her:
“A main point of my academic focus at Journey was public speaking. I [now feel] completely prepared to get up in front of my classes in high school and give oral presentations because of all the practice I got at Journey. A huge help in this field were the 8th grade projects.”
Past projects:
- Scientific Glass Manufacturing
- Veganism
- Down Syndrome
- Building a Loft
- Football
- Bullying
- The United States Armed Forces
- Hydro Power
- Soccer
- The Brain
- Solar Energy
- Glow in the Dark Miniature Golf
- Metal Works
- Dog Psychology
- A Chicken’s Place in the Backyard Ecosystem
- Pacific Marine Mammals
- Dreams: What They Are
- The Beauty of Crystals
- A Journey Through Three Styles of Art and the Artists Who Made Them Unique
- The History of Surfing
- The Art of Expression
- Improvisation
- Culinary Arts
- Human Trafficking
- Waldorf Education
- Ceramic Drum
- RMS Titanic
- Composing a Song
- Spiders
- Photography
- Service Project
- Wave Tank
- Gasoline Engine
- Interior Design
- RC Airplane
- Mountain Bike
- Motorized Skateboard
- Outrigger Canoeing
- Robotics
- Ukulele
- Paddle Board
- Rainwater Harvesting
- BEAM Robotics
- Ballet
- Innovative Guitar Styles
