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235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

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Capstone - Making Student-Dreams a Classroom Reality

Ranney believes it essential that students become independent thinkers capable of applying their skills, attitudes and habits towards a lifetime of learning. Future success at a university level and in the professional world hinges on one’s ability to seek, locate, evaluate and skillfully manipulate meaning from text and interpersonal communication. To best provide students with the research and presentation skills necessary to succeed, Ranney offers the opportunity to complete three separate Capstone Projects across all three divisions — Lower, Middle and Upper School. Ranney’s 2010-2011 Capstone Projects were presented throughout the month of May and into early June.

A research skills continuum available to students from second until 12th grade, Ranney’s Capstone program begins with a simple high-interest inquiry at the Lower School level and concludes with a year-long in-depth research project in the Upper School. For students grades two through five, the Lower School’s Capstone Project consists of five stages of skill-set training in research and presentation spanning a total of three years. Under the guidance of classroom teachers, step one includes a month-long reading study that strengthens one’s ability to navigate and comprehend informative nonfiction text. School librarians then work with students throughout stage two as they practice reading skills on nonfiction materials about science and technology. This reading not only prepares students for the Lower School Science Fair, but it also prepares them for stage three of the Capstone process — research. Using all knowledge already acquired on science and technology, librarians encourage each student to focus on a particular invention or inventor that sparks his/her interest. Later, a technology instructor aids students in utilizing various outlets to research the impact their chosen inventors or technological advancements have had on society. Small groups then work together to complete stage five of the Lower School Capstone Project, which consists of the creation of a presentation using Glogster.

While more intense than Lower School Capstone Projects, the eighth grade Capstone serves as a “launching pad” for what lies ahead in the Upper School. With help and support from faculty-advisors Amelia Caverly, Tammy Mills, John Doyle, Marcia Hernandez, Cathy Piccirillo and Elizabeth Williams, this year’s eighth grade students embarked on a year-long research study that promoted self-discovery and 21st learning. Whether discovering a new area of interest, uncovering new skills and strengths, or realizing that one is capable of overcoming any challenge, 78 students learned more about themselves in addition to the world around them.

This year’s Upper School Capstone Project allowed 19 unique seniors to demonstrate their achievements and explore their goals through a “super-curricular” experience. Ranging from major written Projects to artistic exhibitions, each student pursued a topic of his/her own personal interest to present to both faculty and peers. For the first time ever, Capstone presentations were also captured on video. Aside from calling for students to engage the mind in information gathered in every course taken throughout their Upper School careers, senior Capstone Projects also motivate and expand student intellectual curiosity far beyond the walls of the classroom. Inspired by a medical internship completed during the summer of 2010, Julia Bontempo ’11 completed her Capstone on the controversies involved with vaccinations. After discussing the history of vaccinations, risks and benefits, parent concerns and types of vaccines throughout a lengthy presentation, the floor was then opened up to questions from the audience. Unlike Julia, theater guru Lauren Waters ’11 used her Capstone to write, compose and produce her very own musical entitled, “Looking Back.”

An overall great way to demonstrate one’s academic achievements, Ranney’s Capstone program encourages students to utilize research and critical thinking skills beyond the classroom, while preparing them for the rigors of college and the workplace.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.