A Student-Directed Project (SDP) empowers students to do an in-depth exploration of a topic of interest throughout the term.
The student designs, plans, and leads their research project in collaboration and with the guidance and support of a coach (faculty advisor). It allows students to delve deeper into their passion and to be the designer of their own learning. There is a wide range of Student-Directed Projects; they are interdisciplinary, non-linear, and most importantly, student-created and led.
That’s what makes them so interesting.
How the SDP process works:
- The student writes a proposal, which is reviewed for approval by Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, the US Director, the Director of College Counseling, and the Director of the Hiatt Center.
- Once the proposal is approved, the student is responsible for leading the research and discussion during their meeting with their coach.
- The coach works as a resource to give feedback, assess the work, and offer guidance for next steps.
- At the end of the year, students who an SDP have the opportunity to showcase their work, during our Learning by Doing exhibit, an event that gives students the opportunity to share and explain their work to the community.
Through a Student-Directed project, I can explore any topic I want to with the help of my coach. I am in the driver’s seat of my learning experience and I become the expert on my research topic.
Upper School Student
SDP FAQs for Students
So, you want to do a Student-Directed Project? Great! Here are the next steps.
Formulate a plan
Ask yourself the following:
What is my idea?
Why is this idea important to me?
What would I like to explore?
What will my process look like?
TIP: Write out the answers to these questions; this will help you process and get clarity on your idea before you share it with others.
Present your idea
Present your idea to your coach and a department head. They will talk through the concept with you and help you further process your idea before you submit an application.
Get your idea approved
Once your coach and a department head approve your idea, you’re ready to apply!
Once you have a well-thought out SDP idea and approval from a coach and a Department Head, it’s time to apply!
The deadlines for SDP submissions for the 25-26 school year are:
FALL TERM
Monday, September 15
WINTER TERM
Monday, November 3
SPRING TERM
Monday, February 16
- Do the work and guide this project.
- Your coach is a resource to give you feedback.
- Know how you are assessed and evaluated.
- Schedule meeting times.
- If you start an SDP, you need to see it through the term.
- Have fun with it.
SDP Highlights
Project Types
More about SDPs
