The Independent Study Program at Berkshire allows students to pursue an academic interest that extends beyond the core courses and dozens of electives offered in the regular curriculum. Working one-on-one with a faculty mentor, a student designs a course and directs its in-depth development in either a one-semester or yearlong study. The level of rigor closely mirrors the demands that students will face at the college level. Independent Studies may combine academic work on campus with shadowing area professionals or volunteer internships at local organizations.
This year, twenty-four students undertook Independent Studies during first semester. They drafted proposals over the summer and polished them at the beginning of the fall semester. Meeting before a panel of adults, students presented their written plans to seek approval for their courses, then met with their mentors a minimum of twice a week throughout the semester. Grading varied by topic: most students read extensively and wrote essays or critiques in addition to leading discussions with their mentors on their progress.
Students cite various inspirations for pursuing an Independent Study, including an interest borne from previous classes: AP Environmental Science, Creative Writing, Modern World History, language courses and Pro Vita offerings, among others. Others grew from students’ life-long passions or career plans, or inspiration from some of the 2008-2009 independent projects. Many are connected to family and culture. Primarily available to Fifth and Sixth Form students, the program is flexible if a strong proposal comes from an under-former. An Independent Study may be taken as a fifth course, with letter grades, or sixth course, graded or pass/fail.
On May 11, Berkshire will celebrate the efforts of those students listed below, and of other students who are now formulating plans to begin a second-semester Independent Study. Demonstrations, poster projects, portfolios, gallery showcases, audio and video, and perhaps even a book-signing for a children’s picture book (Walter, the Fancy Fish) are on tap for that night. We look forward to another strong semester as students work independently with faculty guidance, and we anticipate an exciting evening with all of the following participants in the Great Room in May.
The Independent Study Program is directed by Linda Bellizzi, a member of the English faculty. For more information, please email her at lbellizzi@berkshireschool.org .  | 
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