An Independent Study is a course designed by a student and a mentor. Seabury Hall is offering students the opportunity to earn either a half credit or a full credit while being engaged in an area of particular interest.  This interest may be academic (e.g. the study of a literary or historical period, a scientific or mathematical topic, a language, or an interdisciplinary topic), practical (e.g. an art course, an internship, or a craft), or a combination of the two.

In order to receive approval for an Independent Study course, a student must plan out a program of activities that is the equivalent to either a one semester or one-year class at Seabury Hall. This involves at least 70 hours of work per semester. The student must present a written plan that details the goals of the course, the expected learning outcomes, the outline of the course activities (weekly and monthly), the resources that will be used, the finished products that will be presented by the student, and the means of assessment and evaluation to determine a grade. An Independent Study class may not be taken pass/fail. This plan is written in a document called the “Independent Study Course Contract.” The student’s mentor, the Independent Study Director, the appropriate Department Head, and the Upper School Head must approve this contract in order for the course to be considered an official part of the student’s semester or year schedule.