Upper School Thesis Project

When many USJ graduates are asked to write a thesis paper in college, they'll know what to do with confidence. They have already researched and written a 30-plus-page thesis as part of their Advanced Placement English Literature class.

“We want to ensure students are prepared for what they will face in college and even in graduate school,” says Bridget Clark, English Department head who teaches AP English to seniors. “Each student is producing a product that is well written, well developed, and based on documented proof.”

AP students begin the project as juniors in AP English Language as they choose a topic and prepare an annotated bibliography. Each student has a thesis committee that meets regularly as the project unfolds. When the thesis projects are complete, students discuss and defend their papers in front of teachers, parents, classmates, and others at a special ceremony.

2011 Thesis Project

Ten members of the Class of 2011 completed a thesis. For a look at their topics and some of the projects, click here...

2010 Thesis Project

Eight members of the Class of 2010 completed a thesis. For a look at their topics and some of the projects, click here...

2008 Thesis Project

Eighteen members of the Class of 2008 completed a thesis. For a look at their topics and some of the projects, click here...