Students participating in Independent Study enter into an agreement with the school to see teachers for regularly scheduled weekly appointments and to do their coursework independently . All students and their parents sign semester long contracts and course agreements which outline the specific requirements for participation in the Independent Study program.
Students are home schooled and, together with a parent, meet weekly with their teachers.
Parents provide instruction and support, discuss lessons, correct papers, and keep a record of work and activities completed. The teacher reviews the completed work, serves as a resource, and also works with the parent to create weekly lesson plans and select appropriate materials for the student within the framework of state and district approved curriculum. The program provides basic textbooks, curriculum guides for various subjects, access to computers, art supplies, and many enrichment resources. All courses which are offered at the middle schools and Berkeley High School may be taken in the Independent Study program. Courses which are not offered on the Independent Study campus, such as music and science labs, may be taken concurrently at Berkeley High School.