Independent Studies

PARTIAL-CREDIT, PASS/FAIL COURSE

• Open to Forms IX (Semester 2 only), X, XI, and XII; this course may be taken more than once, each time for credit. • Prerequisites: Instructor’s agreement required, common time availability. • Semester (offered each semester) or full-year course, 0.2 credits per semester. • Meets 1 or 2 times a rotation based on the discretion of the instructor. • Credit earned does not satisfy departmental graduation requirements. • This course is scheduled at the beginning of the academic year with the student’s Independent Studies advisor.

An independent study offers the student an opportunity to design a project in an area of interest to her. Upon the start of the academic year (or Semester 2 if the work is limited to that semester), the student must complete an Independent Study Contract. The student meets with a teacher on a regular basis for guidance and evaluation, but the majority of the time is spent in independent work. Meeting times will be arranged between the student and the faculty member once the school year begins. Students should plan to spend the equivalent of three periods per rotation on an independent study project. At least one period per rotation will be formally scheduled with the independent study teacher.

The final project is generated by the student and requires approval by the teacher. Independent projects are graded on a pass/fail basis and earn 0.2 credit per semester. Credit earned does not satisfy any departmental graduation requirement. Independent study projects may not be undertaken by Semester 1 freshmen. Neither required courses nor curricular requirements will be displaced by an independent study project.