The School offers many programs and courses that branch off the usual core classes. One of these programs is called the Independent Study. This new program offers students a chance to step outside the traditional classroom and take control of their own learning. This program was started by Rayan Ashish, a junior, at the beginning of the year. Instead of following a set curriculum at a fixed pace, students design a study plan focused on their interests, goals, and questions they want to explore. This way of learning encourages deeper engagement, showing how learning can be more personal and self-directed. Becoming responsible for their own education, independent study students learn new skills and tools that will be helpful for the rest of their lives.
During an Independent Study program, the student can choose whether to commit to the whole year or just one semester. The only independent study program the School has approved is a year-long course about meditation and the human experience, by junior Rayan Ashish. Ashish says, “ At the end of my sophomore year, Mr. Lapidus and Ms. Duke met with me, and they were able to tell me that they could turn this interest into an actual independent study. In terms of resources, they [Head Royce] have been great. They’ve helped me a lot with things like making slide decks, planning, and accessing certain texts.”
Independent studies also give students opportunities to work with a diverse range of adults on campus. During his independent study, Ashish has gotten to experience this firsthand. Ashish has worked with Bruna Ardila, an upper school English and history teacher, Jacob Leland, an upper school English teacher, and Christiana Cuellar, the library director. When doing an independent study, Ashish says that “every teacher is kind of with you and on your side.”
While Rayan’s experience provides insight into the personal side of independent study, it is also important to consider the perspective of those who guided the process. Shifting from the student’s point of view to the view of the teacher or advisor reveals how independent study is supported behind the scenes. Bruna Ardila was Ashish’s independent study advisor and is a crucial part of making his independent study successful. The School already has a plan for independent studies, but because Ashish is the first one, the plan became very flexible. Ardila says, “As I understand it, Rayan is the first student to participate in this; therefore, I’m the first advisor. There’s been a structure, but we have also been figuring it out as it goes.”
Ardila’s statement on structure highlights that independent study is not unplanned or unorganized, but carefully built around clear goals and expectations. With this in mind, the next step is understanding how a student can actually begin an independent study. Because Ardila is the first advisor to oversee an independent study, she had a firsthand view of the application process. She says, “He [Rayan] did have to apply, and part of the application is proposing a curriculum for the semester or the entire school year. After that, Mr. Lapidus and Ms. Duke approved it. Through that process, the student also needs to get an advisor.”
When asked to give the School a grade on how well they helped and impacted this independent study, Ashish says, “Honestly, I would give Head-Royce an A+. They have helped me in so many ways on so many things.”
Independent study gives students more control over how they learn and what they focus on. With support from teachers and advisors, students can stay organized while exploring topics they care about. Although it takes responsibility and effort, independent study helps students grow as learners and gain skills that will be used for the rest of their lives. After Ashish, many students will soon start their own independent study.