Capstone is a one-of-a-kind, week-long course held in Boise, Idaho, at the Idaho State Capitol Building the last full week in January.
Capstone Program
The Capstone Student Legislature is the only student government program founded and run by Idahoans specifically for Idaho students! This course is exclusively for privately funded homeschooling families who reside in Idaho. It is a fun, interactive, and memorable week!
Due to the one-on-one interaction our students have with government officials, program size is limited.
The Capstone Student Legislature course is for homeschooled students aged 13 to 18. Accepted students will be introduced to all aspects of Idaho government and how it works. Preparation for the week begins with homework sent out in October.* The assignments will have individual deadlines which students must meet to remain enrolled.
Students will each write a legislative bill, using recommend bill language and formatting. These bills will be debated in committees and mock legislative floor sessions.
Students will research answers to questions concerning state officials and government operations, using sources suggested in the homework instructions as well as other resources they discover on their own.
Each student will write letters to the legislators in their home districts.
Students will have a “Capstone Government” election, selecting candidates, running for office, campaigning, and voting during the week of meetings.
Students will receive a guided tour of the Idaho State Capitol building, learning its unique history. Each day includes interaction with our legislators, Governor, Supreme Court Justices, Attorney General, and many other exciting speakers.
Capstone Alumni have an additional track. Our team of attorneys facilitates a student Supreme Court, teaching students how to craft Supreme Court arguments on relevant topics in a 5-year rotation.
The full cost for the Capstone program is $125 per student
(this price includes the $25 non-refundable deposit).
*Course materials are presented from an evangelical Christian perspective.
Public Speaking Introductory Class
Capstone recommends our optional, one-day Public Speaking Class at the end of our week together. This class will give your student a basic knowledge of how to address an audience and speak with confidence! Public Speaking is limited to those students who have completed the Capstone week. It is held on Friday, from 9-3.
There is an additional $25.00 fee for this class.
For more information contact Melissa Nash at capstoneidahoinfo@gmail.com
Stonesetters Program
Stonesetters is the "steppingstone" program for the Capstone Student Legislature. It is designed for privately funded homeschooled students, ages 8-12, giving them a taste of the legislative process. Students must reside in Idaho.
Due to the one-on-one interaction our students have with government officials, class size is limited.
Stonesetters students will participate in their own one-day course. Students will have assigned homework sent out in October and November.*
Each student will write a legislative bill.
Students will practice legislative procedure and bill debate.
Students will receive research questions about Idaho and our government to complete ahead of the in-person class day.
Stonesetter participants will receive a guided field trip through the Idaho State Capitol building, where they will learn more about the rich history of the State of Idaho.
The full cost for the Stonesetters program is $25 per student.
*Course materials are presented from an evangelical Christian perspective.
