The Learning Project Elementary School

A cornerstone of a Learning Project education is what we call the Independent Research Study, or IRS. Each spring, students in grades 3-6 are given the freedom to select a topic that is of personal interest to them, then develop a series of questions to be researched over several weeks, describe their findings in expository form, and create a project inspired by their research.

Among other objectives, this project is designed to enhance the students’ critical thinking skills, promote autonomy and time management, synthesize a number of writing skills taught over the year, and then provide an opportunity for public speaking/presentation. Typically, students relish this opportunity to dive deep into a topic they are particularly curious or passionate about, further promoting a love of learning.

Each spring, LP 5th graders take part in Mr. Hajj’s Leadership Workshop course in preparation for their 6th grade year. Today was their culminating trip, a full day city hike for students to exercise their leadership skills while learning about local leaders impacting our neighborhood and city. A special treat was running into Mayor Wu, an LP honorary diploma recipient, who took the time to say hello to our students! It was a glorious day of learning, leadership and several stops to simply play and bond as a class.

Today a contingency of LP students helped kicked off the 2026 Duckling Day and were marshals in the Duckling Day Parade. The Learning Project was honored for its commitment to preserving public spaces and stewarding the care and keeping of the Earth and the environment. Thank you, city councilor , for issuing the citation to our students….and for posing for a few photos with them! And thank you to the Friends of the Public Garden for recognizing The LP and for all its work in caring for our beloved city campus.

After jumping rope for a collective 1,000 minutes as part of their Jump Rope for Heart unit in PE, LP students were rewarded with a visit from Calvin Belfon. Calvin is a former professional football player who persevered through challenges and demonstrated a lot of LP grit. He now leads Open Run which fosters growth, teamwork, and leadership among inner-city youth through sports and educational programs.