Selection Process

Extended education projects are projects usually costing over $1,000 and involving travel. These projects require extensive student involvement in preparing for the project. Sign-ups for these trips are done with the leaders prior to project week sign-ups.

For projects, except extended education, the cost in the catalog will be the cost of the project unless notified.

All prices listed for extended education projects in the catalog are estimates. Leaders try to be as accurate as possible, but ticket fares, rental fees, and numbers of participants are subject to change so please keep this in mind when signing up. Final costs can be higher or lower than those listed. Student accounts will be charged once final expenses have come in and only for expenses incurred. If you have concerns about the cost then speak to the leader directly. 

Please do not list a project which will cause financial problems if you are assigned to it.   

Occasionally a student may have to drop out of a project on which they have already committed money.  Depending on the timing and nature of the project some refunds may be available.  However, many projects are based on a certain number of participants, negotiated group fares and charges by outside organizations.  Once money is committed, Overlake cannot be held responsible for providing refunds if doing so would jeopardize the project or result in cost increases for the other participants.

Some projects involve flying.  Flight insurance is purchased for all international travel projects. If you are concerned about possible U.S. flight cancelations, please contact the Project Week Director about arranging flight cancelation insurance. 

Certain Upper School projects can earn up to 15 hours of Community Service credit.  These are noted on the project description.  

Certain projects may require advance sign-ups. Students chosen to participate in these projects do not need to select projects during the normal selection period. Students who apply for independent projects must apply during the normal selection period in case their project is not approved.  

Please note: for the 2023-24 school year independent projects are not offered as an option to students.

Students may do one independent project in Middle School and one in Upper School. Arrangements for this option are made with the project week director. This will not be considered an option after regular project assignments have been posted. Independent group projects are not an option.  

Project Week assignment changes will be made only in the case of a medical condition that prohibits student from participating in the project or another compelling reason as identified by the Project Week Director. For this reason, students should carefully read the catalog descriptions to ensure that they can complete project requirements. If students participate in a competitive sports league or are members of another group organization that may possibly require them to attend an event during Project Week, they are encouraged to select a local project.