INDEPENDENT STUDIES

At Renaissance School, 11th and 12th graders pursue approved Independent Study Programs under the guidance of the faculty and staff. The goals of the Independent Study Program include fostering a sense of academic curiosity and independence, learning responsibility and selfdiscipline, and seeking academic opportunities outside the boundaries of the Renaissance School walls and the established curriculum. The culminating academic experience of Renaissance School is the preparation and presentation of a Senior Thesis.

The Independent Studies instructors provide counsel and guidance in the preparation of proposals, focusing on academic rigor, assessment components, deadlines, and methods of exhibition.

The Independent Studies instructors meet twice per week with 11th and 12th grade students throughout the year on a formal basis to provide them with encouragement, guidance, feedback, and advice. The instructors provide written end of semester reports, which are filed with the student’s transcript and provided with the semester grades. The instructors also assist the student in organizing a final presentation of work.

Senior Thesis

Senior Thesis is the culmination of a student's academic career at Renaissance School and a requirement for graduation. Students will meet as a group twice a week for a Senior Thesis Seminar and share with one another the progress they are making. In addition, students will also meet with their assigned Senior Thesis committee each month. The student is also required to interview a person outside of school who is an expert in his or her field of study and conduct original research in addition to traditional research. At some point during the first semester, the student will give an Assembly talk to the school, describing his or her project and the progress achieved. Successful completion of Senior Thesis requires three components: thesis research paper, thesis defense, and presentation.