Roycemore's January Short Term Lets Students Study What They Love

Roycemore school was founded in 1915 by professors of Northwestern University seeking a home for academic excellence for their children. 100 years later, Roycemore is still educating young minds and now serves students starting as young as 3 years old, all the way through high school. January is a particularly exciting month at Roycemore as the Upper School students embark on a long-standing school tradition called January Short Term (JST).

JST occurs during three weeks in January when all regular Upper School classes are put on hold. Instead of their usual classes, students are given the opportunity to do an intensive study on a topic that is of particular interest to them. JST projects can take place here in Evanston, the greater Chicagoland area, elsewhere in the Midwest, or anywhere around the globe! The possibilities are truly endless and the idea is to encourage students to follow their passion.

Each student prepares for their individual JST project by conducting research, drafting a proposal, and presenting their topic to a committee for approval. During the three weeks of JST, students are required to keep a daily account, with analysis, of their activities and reflections. They are evaluated on their project based on the work produced and the digital artifact created upon the conclusion of the experience.

The culminating event is a JST Expo where members of the school and the community can see firsthand the variety of projects that were completed by students. This year’s Expo will be held on the evening of January 30th. Because JST is a requirement for all 4 years of high school, Roycemore graduates end up with a full portfolio of digital artifacts by the winter of their senior year ready to share with college admission counselors and employers.

Past projects include app design, foreign language immersion, zoology, medical research, fashion design, derivatives and stocks, first response support, glass blowing, creative writing, pediatric memory research, music preparation and technique, culinary arts, website design, and flight school - just to name a few!

Learn more about the school and JST at an upcoming Admissions Event on January 28th from 8:30-10:00am. There will be a panel of Upper School students ready to talk about their JST projects along with other highlights of the high school experience at Roycemore.