Common Senior Experience (CSE)
Common Senior Experience (CSE)
The Class of 2026
The Common Senior Experience (CSE) est. 2009
CSE Purpose & Social Issue
All seniors participate in a Capstone Project where they explore themes in a book that address a significant social or global issue. For the Class of 2026, that book is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University’s Stern School of Business, and best-selling author. Through reading and analyzing this work, students will examine the impact that technology, specifically social media, has had on adolescent mental health and caused the “rewiring” of childhood.Olympian High School is committed to engaging students in activities that build lifelong awareness and foster a positive school culture. We believe that in order to make the world a better place, students must work together to raise awareness and challenge the new generation’s loss of play for young people and the subsequent decline in mental well-being. This year’s Common Senior Experience (CSE) will challenge students to transform our school into a community that actively promotes a deeper understanding of the complexities of social media in the United States and the toll it takes on our youth.
CSE Goals
Our primary goal is to raise awareness of this important issue, though some students may also choose to raise funds for the cause. Each year, we partner with a local non-profit to support our efforts. This year, we are proud to partner with The Boys and Girls Club of South County, an organization dedicated to promoting a safe, positive and inclusive environment that supports healthy lifestyles for children and teens. It is through this partnership, where Olympian seniors will develop a sense of community and become agents of positive change.
The CSE Senior Showcase
Join us on May 18, 2026, as our seniors present the results of their most impactful Common Senior Experience Capstone projects. Student-led groups will showcase cross-curricular projects they imagined, created, and implemented, demonstrating how they applied the OHS College & Career Readiness Skills and the Habits of Mind. Through hard work and dedication, the Class of 2026 has come together to create this remarkable culminating Capstone Project portfolio night. Please save the date to celebrate our outstanding graduating seniors.