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Huron High School

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 What is the Personal Project?

 The Personal Project is a student-centered, differentiated experience that guides students as they choose learning opportunities in 11th and 12th grades.  While completing the experience of the Personal Project, students are guided through the stages of investigation, planning, action, and reflection. Students define a goal for their project based on personal interests, relevant learning, and engagement. Through guided planning, they develop criteria for the product of their project. Planning and investigation lead students to individualized final projects. Students engage in reflection of their final project, and – most importantly – reflect on how the project has extended their knowledge and understanding of the topic and their development as a learner.

 

What are the advantages for students who complete the Personal Project at Huron?

The Personal Project distinguishes Huron High School students from most other students by their completion of a comprehensive showcase of inquiry learning. Students pursue a personal interest and apply the skills – research, thinking, self-management, communication, and social – These skills are called the Approaches to Learning skills in all IB programs.  While completing the experience of the Personal Project, students are guided through the stages of planning, applying skills, and reflection. Students engage in reflection of their final project, and – most importantly – reflect on how the project has extended their knowledge and understanding of the topic and their development as a learner. 


The Personal Project is regarded as a marker that defines readiness for learning opportunities in high school and beyond.

  • All Huron students distinguish themselves from other high school students by explaining their work to select a project, plan it, carry out the plan, evaluate its effectiveness, and reflect on their growth.  
  • Huron college bound students can share through college essays and interviews that they have completed the IB Middle Years Programme and refer to their Personal Project work in their college admissions essays and scholarship applications. 
  • Huron students entering the trades or job market can connect their Personal Project work showing their preparedness as a part of a trade school application or job application.  
  • Successful completion of the Personal Project (course) is noted on a student’s academic transcript.
  • Successful completion of the Personal Project and of 9th and 10th grade Middle Years Programme courses.  This is noted on a student’s academic transcript: “Competed IB Middle Years Programme.”

 

Do all 10th grade students at Huron participate in the Personal Project?

Yes, it is a core component of the Middle Years Programme for all 10th graders.  Students who complete the Personal Project successfully, along with their 9th and 10th grade classes at Huron, will have successfully met the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. They are then eligible to share this accomplishment as a part of college/job applications applications stating:  "Completed the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at Huron High School, Ann Arbor, Michigan." As well, they can share (i.e., college essay, interviews) the significance and impact of their Personal Project work on their learning.

 

 Is the Personal Project a graduation requirement?

The Personal Project is a requirement of the Middle Years Programme. It is not an AAPS graduation requirement. The course is an elective credit that supports credit towards graduation. Students who do not score a passing grade do not receive the elective credit.

Huron High School is authorized as a World School and offers to all 9th and 10th grade students the Middle Years Programme. Thus, in general, students enroll in 6 of 8 subject areas of study in 9th and 10th grades, and are required to take courses in Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, and Mathematics. Students complete their schedules with experiences in Physical Education and Health, Design (including PLTW), and Arts (visual and performing). As well, students complete the Personal Project in 10th grade, which is a culminating project that demonstrates students’ consolidation of their learning.

Similarly, the 10th grade year of Language Acquisition (i.e., world language) is also a requirement of the Middle Years Programme. Regarding graduation requirements, the 10th grade year of Language Acquisition is, in essence, an elective credit if a student has already completed one (1) year of a language in middle school and one (1) year in 9th grade, as AAPS requires two (2) years of ‘language’ as a graduation requirement.