Should PVMHS Students Be Allowed To Do Independent Studies?

As scheduling wraps up, many students have to take classes that they do not care about. With certain subjects,such as science and math, students may take a few classes in their early years of high school, but then have none to continue with in their junior and senior years because nothing is offered. Independent studies allow for students to take classes they are interested in, that are not offered on the schedule.

Independent studies are a special type of class that could be very beneficial for students. For example, someone who loves computer science could take a computer science course in their freshman, sophomore, and junior years, but have no courses left to take in their senior year. With an independent study, that student would be able to take a senior-year computer science course, or they could choose the topic of study by creating their own curriculum.

Such an option may seem outlandish, but independent studies are not a novel idea at most high schools. Other high schools, such as Masconomet High School, already allow students to take independent studies. This begs the question: why doesn’t PVMHS allow students to take independent studies? The most likely answer is that this school simply has not had them before, and is unwilling to add such an option. This can be changed, though, as long as we come together to make it show why this opportunity is necessary.

The scheduling of an independent study would be simple: a student would decide on a topic they wish to study independently during the year, then an outline of the material would be created, either by the student themselves or with the assistance of a teacher. The student then would need to get permission from the teacher whom they wish to oversee them, and from either the principal or vice principal. From there, the student would be ready for the school year.

This system would be beneficial for all students, because those who are are passionate about a subject not be limited by the school that they attend It only makes sense that if a student is willing to continue learning about a topic that their school will support that in their endeavors.