11th Grade Capstone Experience
Course Syllabus 2015-2016
INSTRUCTOR
Ms. Courtney Hartsfield
Room 262| chartsfi@asu.edu | 602-496-3098 | chartsfieldasuprep.weebly.com/
COURSE DESCRIPTION and PURPOSE
A Capstone is a mini-thesis project that students will participate in to develop a deep understanding of topics that interest them in
the context of larger, global understandings taught across the curriculum. Students pose a question of research, explore and
investigate that question in the context of a broader community, and present their findings in a formal written and oral
presentation at the end of each semester.
Students remain with the same peers and advisor throughout all capstone experiences from 9th through 12th grades, allowing each
student to develop deep connections to peers and to have a consistent staff resource to support their learning journey. Families
will also have a single point of contact with whom they regularly interact to get support for their child’s learning and to discuss
their student’s academic and social development.
Course Objectives:
 Students will learn about social responsibility and entrepreneurship and develop their Capstone/Venture Project ideas,
individually or collaboratively.
 Students will research and prepare for college, career, and other post-high school endeavors.
 Students will demonstrate the 6 Pillars of Character at all times while in school or school-sponsored activities: responsibility,
respect, caring, trustworthiness, citizenship, and fairness.
 Students will work effectively with others to build a supportive learning community within their classroom and school.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Students should come to class prepared to work. This includes bringing the following every day:
Composition Notebook
Pencils and Pens
College-ruled loose leaf paper
Completed assignments due
DAILY CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Students will follow the ASU Prep Way (Work Hard, Be Kind, and Be Smart) at all times. Additionally, the following classroom
expectations apply in room 262:
Respect your school. Follow school policies and procedures as outlined in the Student Handbook. Treat school property with
care. Do not bring any food or drinks to class (other than bottled water).
Respect your community. Follow classroom rules and social guidelines. Put away cell phones, music players, and other noneducational electronic devices during class time. Listen attentively while others are speaking. Use only language that is respectful
and appropriate for the classroom setting.
Respect yourself. Turn in work complete and on time. Be responsible for keeping up with missed assignments. Bring all needed
materials to class every day. Take care of personal needs before or after class.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty1
1
For example, this syllabus was developed by Ms. Yap and used with her permission!
Plagiarism, the use of someone else’s materials, words and/or ideas without giving proper credit, will not be tolerated. Plagiarism,
even unintentional, is a serious form of cheating and can endanger a student’s academic reputation and, possibly, future career.
Students who choose to plagiarize will receive zero credit for the assignment with no opportunity to make it up. Any further
incidence of cheating will result in a disciplinary referral.
Attendance and Make-Up Work
Please refer to the student handbook for details of ASU Prep’s tardy and absence policies. Students are expected to attend every
class. You are responsible and accountable for all the information presented in class whether or not you are in class. Work
assigned prior to an absence is expected on the due date whether or not you are in class that day.
EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
Instruction will include, but not be limited to: lecture, discussion, active participation, demonstration, cooperative learning
activities, independent and group reading, research-based projects, student-guided activities, teambuilding, written assignments,
and oral student presentations.
Students will receive two grades for the course: an academic grade and an effort grade. The academic grade will be reflective of
student mastery of the course standards and will give useful feedback for students, parents, and teachers. The Effort Grade will be
a separate grade that accounts for and assesses the issues of attendance, tardiness, homework completion, and class participation.
The following grades indicate that the student has demonstrated mastery of
A+ = 97-100% of standards
D = 60-69% of standards
A = 90-96% of standards
F = 59% or fewer of standards
B = 80-89% of standards
I = (Incomplete) Cannot assess; standard not attempted
C = 70-79% of standards
Progress reports will be given periodically; however, the best way to keep track of your grade is to check online using
PowerSchool. Students will have until the end of the thematic unit or academic quarter to turn in missing work or make up
assignments. Students are expected to make up missing work outside of regular class time.
This syllabus is subject to change as needed at teacher’s discretion.
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO MS. HARTSFIELD
Student Name Printed
Class Period
I have read the Capstone 11 course syllabus and understand the policies described therein. I understand that I/my
child will be held to high standards, and it is imperative that students practice the study and communication skills
necessary to be successful in college. If at any point I/my child is experiencing difficulty with the course or is unable
to complete an assignment by the due date, I understand that the student is expected to contact Ms. Hartsfield as
soon as it is possible.
Student Signature
Date
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Parent/Guardian Preferred Contact Information
Name ________________________________
Relationship ______________________________
Phone ________________________________ Email ____________________________________
I prefer that you contact me by
phone
/
email
/
other (please explain)
Is there any other information that you think it would be helpful to know about your son/daughter?