Independent Study

For the 2022-2023 school year, BUSD will be offering Long-Term Independent Study to high school students only.

Students in grades Tk-12 may be eligible for “short term” Independent study for 3-14 days.  The short-term Independent Study may be used for:

1. Special assignments extending the content of regular courses of instruction
2. Individualized study in a particular area of interest or in a subject not currently available in the regular school curriculum
3. Continuing and special study during travel
4. Volunteer community service activities and leadership opportunities that support and strengthen student achievement
5. Individualized study for a student whose health, as determined by the student’s parent/guardian, would be put at risk by in-person instruction or for a student who is unable to attend in-person instruction due to a quarantine due to exposure to, or infection with, COVID-19, pursuant to local or state public health guidance

In addition, when requested by a parent/guardian due to an emergency or illness, independent study may be used on a short-term basis to ensure that the student is able to maintain academic progress in the student’s regular classes.

Parents/Guardians who wish to request Short Term  Independent Study must submit an Independent Study Request Form.

Students in Special Education

• Independent study is not an option for students in special education unless it is written in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) per Education Code 56026 and 51745.

For the 2024-2025 school year, BUSD will be offering Long-Term Independent Study to high school students only.  

All students interested in the IS program will need to re-apply for the 2024-2025 school year through their counseling department using the linked form below.

Enrolling in Long-Term Independent Study

• Parents/Guardians who wish to enroll their child into the Long-Term Independent Study program for 2024-2025 must submit an Independent Study Request Form.
• Request window for Fall 2024 Semester will be open: 
  April 15 – May 17
  August 6 – September 2
• Request window for Spring 2025 Semester will be open: 
  November 4 -December 2
• The Independent Study Request Form will be reviewed for student eligibility and course scheduling before the request is approved or denied.
• Parents/Guardians will be notified of the district’s determination as soon as possible, and students should continue attending in-person classes until this occurs.

Program Specifications for 9th-12th Grades

• Students will have opportunities to receive synchronous instruction with a credentialed teacher for 60-minutes per week.
• Students will complete their independent work using a standards-based online program called Edgenuity. Students should plan on working during school hours on independent work each day.
• Assignments must be completed and turned in no more than one week after they are assigned. Late assignments will not generate credit unless an extension has been granted by the teacher.

Disenrolling in Long-Term Independent Study

• Parents/Guardians who wish to disenroll their child from the Independent Study program must do so in writing to their student’s school counselor.  Students will receive an in-person schedule within 5 school days.

Progress Monitoring 

• Students are expected to complete all work on time. Work will be evaluated by the teacher of record. If a student does not complete work or the work is not to the level of satisfactory educational progress an evaluation of whether the student should be allowed to continue independent study will be conducted.

Students in Special Education

• Independent study is not an option for students in special education unless it is written in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) per Education Code 56026 and 51745.