Climb Higher Projects

Climb Higher Projects are a cornerstone of the Mountain Community Online School learning experience.

Each quarter, students complete one in-depth, experiential project that requires real-world activity, critical thinking, and meaningful connection beyond the home. These projects ensure learning is active, challenging, and connected to life outside a screen.

Academics Overview The Edmentum Platform

How Climb Higher Projects Work

At the start of each quarter, students are given access
to a curated bank of 8–10 Climb Higher Projects.

Each Project is:

Cross-curricular and standards-aligned

Designed for sustained, in-depth work

Silhouette of stacked stones against a tranquil ocean sunset backdrop.

Grounded in real-world activity and exploration

Focused on problem-solving, critical thinking, and reflection

Students select one project per quarter and work on it across approximately seven focused project weeks, with guidance from their Success Coach.

Weekly project work and Climb Higher Fridays

Students work on their selected project throughout the week, with Fridays dedicated to extended project time.

Projects are not add-ons. They are a central part of the weekly rhythm.

Climb Higher Fridays allow students to:

Focus

Focus deeply without interruptions

Engage

Engage in hands-on and real-world activity

Meet

Meet with their Success Coach

Reflect

Reflect and prepare for next steps

Sample Climb Higher Project

Community Needs and Solutions Project

(a student’s perspective)

what

What I will do:

In this project, I will identify a real need or challenge in my local community and design a thoughtful, realistic response.

I will choose a topic that matters to me, such as a problem in my neighborhood, an environmental concern, or an issue affecting people in my community.

how

How the project unfolds over the quarter:

I will review the available projects and choose one. With help from my Success Coach, I will narrow my focus, ask good questions, and create a clear plan for my work.

I will research my topic using multiple sources and begin understanding the issue in depth. I may gather background information, analyze examples, and identify people or places connected to the issue.

I will connect with the world outside my home. This may include interviewing a community member, visiting a site, conducting a survey, or observing and documenting a situation.

I will design my solution or response based on what I have learned. I will revise my work using feedback and prepare my final presentation.

I will present my project and complete my reflection sharing feedback with my success coach.

connection

How this connects to my classes:

While working on this project, I will apply skills from my academic courses.

I will read and analyze informational texts, write clearly, use math to support my reasoning, and apply science or social studies concepts when appropriate.

This project helps me use what I am learning in real situations.

coaching

How my Success Coach supports me:

My Success Coach will meet with me regularly to:

  • Help me plan and organize my work
  • Set goals and deadlines
  • Check my progress
  • Talk through challenges
  • Prepare for my final presentation

I am responsible for my work, but I am supported throughout the process.

presentation

My final presentation:

At the end of the project, I will give a final presentation.

In my presentation, I will explain:

  • The community issue I studied
  • What I learned through research and real-world engagement
  • My proposed solution
  • How my thinking changed during the project

My presentation might include slides, visuals, a video, a written report, or a live demonstration.

goals

What I will learn from this project:

Through this project, I will:

  • Practice critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Learn how to manage a long-term project
  • Build confidence communicating with adults
  • Connect learning to the real world
  • Reflect on my growth and effort

Designed for online learners

Climb Higher Projects are designed for students learning remotely.

Projects require activity beyond the screen, allow learning to happen from anywhere, and reduce passive screen time. They are supported by school staff and structured to be challenging and achievable.

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