Their schedules are planned individually in consultation with advisers and the Academic Dean. All sophomores take a one-term course in health issues. In addition, all new students take a required course in library skills. Last year 239 students sat for 452 AP exams in twenty of the twenty-nine subject areas. Eighty-four percent of the tests received qualifying scores of 3 or better.
Independent study is offered in all departments.
Sophomores and juniors may spend a semester at the Island School on Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The Swiss Semester in Zermatt is a program that gives sophomores the opportunity to study geology, European history, and foreign language at the foot of the Matterhorn. Deerfield participates in the School Year Abroad program in France, Spain, China, and Italy, which is available for juniors and seniors. Students may also choose one of four exchange programs. Juniors who meet the requirements have the opportunity to spend all or part of their year at a school in Germany or their second semester in South Africa.