--- title: "J-Term: Where Students Become Leaders" description: "Project-based learning at its best: J-Term, a week-long, hands-on immersive learning and service experience for St. Luke's 9th grade." image: https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/blogbanner_Jterm3.jpg --- [![](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/logo-2025.png)](https://www.stlukesct.org/) [![SLS-Logo-2025-white](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/SLS-Logo-2025-white.png)](http://www.stlukesct.org/) ![blogleadingvoices banner.jpg](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg?width=1000&name=blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg "blogleadingvoices banner.jpg") [Inquire](https://stlukesct.myschoolapp.com/page/admissions/apply-to-sls/inquire-online) [Visit](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) [Apply](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) # [J-Term: Where Students Become Leaders](https://blog.stlukesct.org/j-term) by [Liz Perry](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/liz-perry) ![Liz Perry: Assistant Head of School for Academics](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Perry_Elizabeth470-1.jpg)  When we launched the first J-Term in 2014, we considered it an experiment. We would take a few days away from the regular business of school and challenge students to investigate problems in the wider world. We hoped they would learn something meaningful about their chosen topics. We hoped they would be able to manage the freedom it offered—no teachers telling you what to do? No grades? It sounded good, but in quiet moments, we asked ourselves: could this really work? We now know the answer: absolutely, yes!                                         **(Scroll down for J-Term Video)** J-Term is a signature experience for every student in the Upper School. Our students tackle topics ranging from climate change to homelessness to racism, and their curiosity, open-mindedness, and capacity for reflection impress us more each year. Students work in teams to interview experts, do research, and come up ways to educate our community and take action. Many students continue working on solutions long after J-Term concludes. They create clubs, lead assemblies and do volunteer work in the community.    **![JTermPhoto1.jpg](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JTermPhoto1.jpg?width=865&height=495&name=JTermPhoto1.jpg)**   > **I realized that we could lead ourselves, as a group, not looking to a teacher to tell us what to do.”       ** > > - Tyleigh Zammit '19 SLS alum Tyleigh Zammitt told me that J-Term was the place where she discovered she could be a leader: “I realized that we could lead ourselves, as a group, not looking to a teacher to tell us what to do.” Her group focused on problems with excessive screen time and social media. Years after her J-Term experience, she says she still thinks about her own screen time and makes better choices because of what she learned with her group. The faculty that created J-Term has only grown better at guiding students in this work. And talking with students like Tyleigh has convinced us, more than anything, to *trust the process. *Every year, by the final day of the J-Term Showcase, we as teachers are simply guests at the event: the students set up their exhibits, work together, teach visitors all about their topics, and are ready to lead. It’s an incredible transformation--the best of what school can be. Tyleigh asked me why we don’t do J-Term in every grade. I have to admit, it’s a good question. See [Prepared to Thrive](https://issuu.com/stlukesschool/docs/sls_strategic_plan_2021_10_pages?fr=sNzZiMDE3OTIyODU)for more about St. Luke's focus on student-led learning. --- St. Luke’s is a private, secular (non-religious) independent school in New Canaan, CT serving grades 5-12. St. Luke’s mission: An exceptional education that inspires a deep love of learning, a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead.  - - - - [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2035825/24fae04c-136e-4579-988e-58b130339629.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2035825/24fae04c-136e-4579-988e-58b130339629)         ## Leave a comment ### Get our latest blog posts! ![Liz Perry: Assistant Head of School for Academics](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Perry_Elizabeth470-1.jpg) [Liz Perry](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/liz-perry) Liz Perry is St. Luke's Assistant Head of School for Academics. She chairs the Upper School Academic Council and is a member of the Equity Leadership Team and the Faculty Growth and Renewal Team. Liz empowers her team to be bold and creative as they inspire deeper, student-centered learning. Prior to joining St. Luke's in 2013, Liz taught English and was the Director of Educational Design and Innovation at The Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, NY, where she was the recipient of the John Reidy Award for outstanding contributions. Before that, Liz was an English teacher, working at Escola Graduada de São Paulo (the American School of São Paulo, Brazil), The Brimmer and May School in Boston, and Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Liz also serves on the faculty of the Klingenstein Center, part of Teachers College at Columbia University. ![profile_icon.png](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/profile_icon.png?width=200&height=200&name=profile_icon.png) ### By Author - [Amber Berry: Former Head of Middle School ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/amber-berry) - [Beth Yavenditti: Director of Global Education ( 3 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/beth-yavenditti-director-of-global-education) - [Carrie Meatto: Spanish Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/carrie-meatto-spanish-teacher) - [Daphne Teittinen-Schreck: ESS Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/daphne-teittinen-schreck-ess-director) - [Dr. Jason Haynes: History Chair ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-jason-haynes-history-chair) - [Dr. Stephanie Bramlett: Former Director of Inclusive Excellence ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-stephanie-bramlett-former-director-of-inclusive-excellence) - [Gareth Fancher: Director of Emotional Intelligence ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/gareth-fancher-director-of-emotional-intelligence) - [Georgia Rosenberg '19: Student ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/georgia-rosenberg-19-student) - [Hunter Martin: Summer Program Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/hunter-martin-summer-program-director) - [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) - [Jane Olsen: Fifth Grade Teacher (retired) ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jane-olsen) - [Jason Giffen: Director of Enrollment Management ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jason-giffen-director-of-enrollment-management) - [Jessie Samuel, Fifth Grade Science Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jessie-samuel-fifth-grade-science-teacher) - [Jim Foley: Asst. 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Head of Middle School ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/mark-chuhta-asst-head-of-middle-school) - [Mary Halpin Carter: Head of School ( 3 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/mary-carter) - [Nancy Troeger: Director of Marketing and Communications ( 3 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/nancy-troeger-director-of-marketing-and-communications) - [Sonia Bell: Director of College Counseling ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/sonia-bell-director-of-college-counseling) - [Stephen Vehslage: Associate Director of College Counseling ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/stephen-vehslage-associate-director-of-college-counseling) - [Students: Jack Briggs '21 and Liam Patty '21 ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/students-jack-briggs-21-and-liam-patty-21) - [Tom Owen: English Teaching Fellow ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/tom-owen-english-teaching-fellow) - Gareth Fancher ( 1 ) ### Recent Articles ### Posts by Topic - [Leadership (44)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/leadership) - [Character (33)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/character) - [Mission (32)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/mission) - [Community (28)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/community) - [School (25)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/school) - [Innovation in Education (18)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/innovation-in-education) - [Lifelong Learning (18)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/lifelong-learning) - [Service (18)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/service) - [teens (18)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/teens) - [private school (14)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/private-school) - [Inspiration (13)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/inspiration) - [Values (13)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/values) - [Moral Compass (11)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/moral-compass) - [Parenting (10)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/parenting) - [Diversity & Inclusion (9)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/diversity-inclusion) - [Global Perspective (9)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/global-perspective) - [Above and Beyond (7)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/above-and-beyond) - [Gratitude (7)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/gratitude) - [Moral Courage (7)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/moral-courage) - [Well-Being (7)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/well-being) - [Freedom (4)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/freedom) - [Mindfulness (4)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/mindfulness) - [SLSHeroes (4)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/slsheroes) - [college (4)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/college) - [Civil Discourse (3)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/civil-discourse) - [College Admissions (3)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/college-admissions) - [Resilience (3)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/resilience) - [Student Voices (3)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/student-voices) - [Technology (3)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/technology) - [humanity (3)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/humanity) - [Meditation (2)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/meditation) - [Parents as Partners (2)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/parents-as-partners) - [Postive (Alumni) Outcomes (2)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/postive-alumni-outcomes) - [Private School Admissions (2)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/private-school-admissions) - [student-led learning (2)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/student-led-learning) - [Athletics (1)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/athletics) - [Family (1)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/family) - [Patriotism (1)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/patriotism) - [middle school (1)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/topic/middle-school) \[see all\] ### Popular Articles #### Related posts [![Enter to Learn. 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