In the presented study, the need for the development of project activity of students in a modern professionally oriented high school is determined, and its targets are identified, which make it possible to track the effectiveness of pedagogical activity and personal development of the student. Among the scientific approaches, the practice-oriented approach of D. Dewey and the concept of the “open” school of T.S. Shatsky, which have found application and development in modern scientific psychological and pedagogical discourse, are predominant. The criteria for the formation of project activity: motivational, cognitive, rational, personal, promising allowed us to determine a list of indicators that can be monitored through diagnostic tools, which allows us to develop the conclusions obtained experimentally. The theoretical conclusions made were confirmed by the calculation of the expediency index, as well as by an expert survey of teachers of educational organizations in the number of twenty-eight people. In general, the conducted research demonstrates the need to develop the project activity of students in the educational process, as well as to design the educational process in such a way that the personal development of students becomes more ambitious, professionally oriented and aimed at the personal development of students. The presented results can be applied in the process of research and educational work in higher educational institutions.