Siena Blog

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In this blog post written by Siena Class of 2026 graduate Aliza H. as part of her annual internship, you can learn about Siena’s High School Independent Study program from one of its participants. As she shares, “Independent study students feel ownership of our projects because we’ve dedicated time and energy to them, as it will have a clear effect on our future lives.”

“[This program is] for students who are ready for another layer of learning about a topic that interests them: in short, this program can be very rewarding. It can also build the confidence of students as they tackle college-level learning with the support of faculty members.” - Warren Phenegar, Siena History Teacher

Independent Study Program at Siena

A valuable part of The Siena School’s high school curriculum is the Independent Study program, which allows students to academically deep-dive into areas of particular interest with a mentor (teacher or staff member of their choosing).

A program like this is one of many small school benefits because it gives high school students the ability to expand their knowledge in specific areas that may not be offered as a class. Additionally, independent study provides students with opportunities to shape their own learning experiences with a focus on their future, while also developing essential skills such as self-motivation, organization, and executive functioning.
 

Here are some highlights of Siena’s independent study program:

• Academic Rigor: The program is fully compiled by students and viewed by the head of curriculum to guarantee rigor. This gives students an outlet to focus on their strengths in an academic manner, as well as to use Siena tools and strategies (such as annotations and adaptive technology). As this is an independent class, students come across challenges that let them discover how to use self-advocacy tools in the most effective manner for them.
• Individualization: Students have the flexibility to create their own curriculum in an area of strength or interest. As a student put it, “You create what you want to learn.”
• Mentoring: The program enables students to form close relationships with their chosen mentor, giving them someone to look up to when trying to gain knowledge. Not only do students get to bond with their mentors, but the mentors also gain value and respect towards their students.
• Hands-On Learning: No matter what the area of study is, each student is closely connected to their own learning, whether it’s cooking in a kitchen, learning by creating a model computer program, producing 3D animation of oneself, creating a multimedia art portfolio, or analyzing different media portrayals of America's War on Terror.
• Support Systems: Siena provides students with the materials, tools, and strategies they need to be successful in their independent study, such as books, subscription access to relevant videos, and other accommodations (such as audiobooks).

For high school science teacher Nick Franson, “One of the most inspiring aspects of mentoring in this program is knowing that I am helping to shape a student’s future and guiding them as they pursue their interests in a thoughtful and rigorous way.” He added:

My favorite part is sitting down with a student one-on-one, outside the traditional classroom setting, and listening to them discuss all that they are learning. This is especially meaningful at the end of the program, when students reflect on the accomplishments they have achieved independently throughout the year.

Another independent study mentor, history teacher Warren Phenegar, shared this: “I have been fortunate to witness the development of critical thinking skills in real time, while having thoughtful discussions with the student I am working with. Seeing the growth of her reading and communication skills has been very rewarding and has allowed me to see her skills in action outside the classroom setting.” 

High School Independent Study Subjects

This year in high school, several seniors chose to take advantage of this program. Each student is exploring different areas of self-chosen study:

• Culinary Skills: In her senior year, Kendall is continuing the individualized work in the culinary arts, which she began as a student at Siena Northern Virginia as a freshman. Currently, she’s researching recipes and filming how she cooks them to show her progress. She’s always been interested in cooking and is considering her career options in the culinary field.  
• Technology Building: Cory is learning a 3D animating software program (Blender) from the ground up for his own interests and possible minor in college; this could help him with a possible career path since technology jobs are always in demand. He’s also working on making motion capture versions of himself into a Blender character to develop this important skill for future work.
• AI Fundamentals: Recognizing the importance of AI and LLMs (Large Language Models) and how they’re advancing so quickly, Noah is educating himself on this important, ever-developing technology. He’s dedicated himself to learning about the back end of LLMs, as well as the basics of the Python programming language.
• Experimental Visual Art: Roh is developing her artistic skills by working in a variety of mediums and focusing on the emotional aspects behind creating art. She’s also exploring how different forms of art (such as music, film, and poetry) can inspire visual art, as well as researching various artists and movements. This work will help prepare her for the rigor of art school and possible career paths.  
• Geopolitical Effects and International Relations: For my own project, I’m comparing different political views of America's War on Terror from different media (e.g., books, documentaries, and Hollywood films) to investigate the impact of war, struggles, and conflict connected to the War on Terror. I’m analyzing the effect of 9/11 and the U.S entering into the Middle East to understand the effects in the United States and globally, which will help me both expand my knowledge of modern world history and transition for college-level study.

Benefits of Independent Study for High School Students

Taking an independent study in high school is an advantage when a university looks at a student’s transcript, since it shows a high school student being motivated and taking initiative to pursue a specific interest area.

The seniors (including myself) currently taking an independent study agree that this program is helping us determine if we enjoy the topic enough to go into it as a major or minor; some are even thinking about it as a potential career path.

In each case, independent study students feel ownership of our projects because we’ve dedicated time and energy to them, as it will have a clear effect on our future lives. We realize that such self-driven and self-created work helps develop who we are as students and creative individuals. 

• Kendall: “I chose culinary arts because I have an interest in cooking and want to see if I want to continue this for a career."
• Noah: “The fascinating part for me is that I’m moving between languages and teaching myself how to communicate and learn about the LLM.”
• Roh: “I want to challenge myself by working in a variety of different styles and moving beyond what I am used to. So far I’ve learned to push my creative instincts and work more abstractly and with more intention.”

Siena Resources

See Siena’s blog for more highlights of our program, including Poetry and Liberation in the High School Classroom, Unlocking History Through Hands-On Learning, and Making Career Possibilities Real for Students.

The Siena School, a national leader in dyslexia education now in its 20th year, serves bright, college-bound students with language-based learning 
differences on DC Metro area campuses in Silver Spring, MD (grades 3-12) and Oakton, VA (grades 3-12).