Many go on to successfully complete the school's regular introductory computer class. Workshops, speakers and resource materials are provided for parents who request information about how they their can help their children at home. A music technology laboratory helps elementary students broaden their knowledge of music. Students have been exposed to music from other cultures. Instruments were purchased so parents and grandparents could join their children in playing choir chimes at school open houses.
Elementary students enjoy a hands-on lesson about the music of other cultures.
The Write Place helps high school students sharpen their writing skills. Students visited the center more than 1,200 times last year to learn word processing and desktop publishing, hear presentations by professional writers, attend club meetings and work on the school's literary magazine. Computers, books and software were purchased to motivate students to read and to help them improve their reading comprehension skills. Creativity is the common thread that runs through all ISE projects at Independence, where the school board and administrators actively support innovation in the classroom. The only rule is that every project must have a sound, clearly defined educational goal.