The Senior Capstone Program is York Academy Regional Charter School's signature senior experience and a cornerstone of our commitment to real-world learning. Through supervised placements with businesses, organizations, and professionals throughout York City and the surrounding communities, students apply classroom learning in authentic settings while exploring careers, developing workplace skills, and preparing for college, careers, and life beyond high school.

Why Senior Capstone?

The Senior Capstone Program bridges the gap between school and life after graduation. By working alongside professionals throughout York City and the surrounding communities, students gain firsthand experience, build transferable workplace skills, develop professional relationships, and make informed decisions about their future. Through these community partnerships, students connect classroom learning to authentic experiences while exploring careers and contributing to the community around them.

Program Overview

Students complete supervised career exploration placements aligned with their interests and future goals. Placements are offered during the fall and spring semesters, allowing students to gain experience in more than one career field when appropriate. Students may earn 0.5 credit by completing 40 verified hours or 1.0 credit by completing 80 verified hours.

Program Goal

• Explore careers and professional pathways.
• Connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.
• Develop communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and workplace readiness skills.
• Build relationships with mentors and community professionals.
• Make informed decisions about college, careers, and future goals.

Senior Exit Interview: The Culminating Capstone Experience

The Senior Exit Interview is the culminating assessment of York Academy's Senior Capstone Program. At the conclusion of their placement, students participate in a professional interview where they reflect on their experiences, discuss the knowledge and skills they developed, and demonstrate how the Capstone experience prepared them for college, careers, and life beyond high school.

Unlike a traditional final exam or presentation, the Senior Exit Interview gives students the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation with educators and community professionals who provide authentic feedback while celebrating each student's growth and accomplishments.

During the interview, students reflect on:

• Their Capstone placement and responsibilities
• Knowledge, skills, and professional habits they developed
• Challenges they encountered and how they overcame them
• Connections between their placement and future college or career goals
• How the experience influenced their personal and professional growth

The Senior Exit Interview is the final step in the Capstone journey and provides students with an authentic opportunity to practice professional communication, interview skills, and self-reflection before graduation.

For Students

Senior Capstone gives students the opportunity to explore careers through authentic workplace experiences while building the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for success after graduation.

Student Responsibilities

• Maintain eligibility for the program.
• Attend all scheduled placement hours.
• Communicate professionally with mentors and the Capstone Coordinator.
• Follow workplace policies and confidentiality expectations.
• Complete weekly reflections.
• Maintain an accurate hours log with mentor verification.
• Represent York Academy professionally at all times.

For Families

Families are important partners in every student's Capstone experience. Parents and guardians support students by encouraging professionalism, helping with transportation, reinforcing program expectations, and maintaining communication with the Capstone Coordinator when needed.

Family Responsibilities

• Support attendance and punctuality.
• Provide or arrange transportation.
• Review program expectations with your student.
• Communicate questions or concerns with the Capstone Coordinator.

For Mentors & Community Partners

York Academy partners with businesses, nonprofits, healthcare providers, government agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations throughout York City and the surrounding communities to provide meaningful career exploration experiences for students. These partnerships are the foundation of the Senior Capstone Program.

Mentor Responsibilities

• Provide a safe and supervised learning environment.
• Serve as a positive professional role model.
• Offer meaningful career exploration opportunities.
• Provide feedback and guidance.
• Verify attendance and completed hours.
• Communicate with the Capstone Coordinator as needed.

Ways to Partner with York Academy

• Host a Senior Capstone placement.
• Offer job-shadowing opportunities.
• Provide workplace tours.
• Serve as a guest speaker.
• Participate as a Senior Exit Interviewer.
• Join the York Academy Career & Community Partnership Network.

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