Do all districts offer independent study?
No. Independent study is an option for districts. Although offering independent study is not required by law, districts may offer independent study for students in kindergarten through grade twelve and in adult schools.
How can I find independent study for my student?
Independent study may be available through a school in your district, through a charter school, or through a school in another district or county office of education (COE).
- To find out if your district offers independent study, access the California Department of Education (CDE) DataQuest Web page and follow the instructions below:
- For Select Level, choose “District” from the dropdown menu; for Select Subject, choose “Enrollment” from the dropdown menu; select the “Submit" button.
- For Determine a time frame, select year from dropdown menu; type a portion of the district name; select the “Submit” button.
- For Select District, choose the appropriate district name from the dropdown menu; for Select a Report, choose “Alternative Education Enrollment (with school data);” select the “Submit” button.
- If the report for the current year is not yet available, return to step “b.” and select the previous year.
- The California Public Schools–District Report screen displays the alternative education enrollment of schools in the selected district. Schools that provide independent study will have enrollment data under the header Indp Study
(K–8 and 9–12).
- To find a charter school with independent study that serves your area, access the CDE Charter Schools in California Counties Web page and follow the instructions below:
- Select your county by placing your cursor over the county. You may also select neighboring counties for additional charter school options, since independent study charter schools chartered in a neighboring county may serve students in your area.
- Select your county by placing your cursor over the county. You may also select neighboring counties for additional charter school options, since independent study charter schools chartered in a neighboring county may serve students in your area.
- To find independent study in another district or the COE, access the CDE DataQuest Web page and follow the instructions below:
- For Select Level, choose “County” from the dropdown menu; for Select Subject, choose “Enrollment” from the dropdown menu; select the “Submit” button.
- For Select County, choose a county from the dropdown menu; select the “Submit” button.
- For Select a Report, choose “Alternative Education Enrollments (with district data);” select the “Submit” button.
- If the report for the current year is not yet available, return to step “b.” and select the previous year.
- The California Public Schools–County Report screen displays the alternative education enrollment for districts in the selected county and the COE. Districts and COEs that provide independent study will have enrollment data under the header Indp Study (K–8 and 9–12).
- Selecting a school district will display the alternative education enrollment for each school in that district. Schools that provide independent study will have enrollment data under the header Indp Study (K–8 and 9–12).
- Selecting the COE will display the alternative education enrollment for each county school in the COE. Schools that provide independent study will have enrollment data under the header Indp Study (K–8 and 9–12).
How to Find A Particular School’s Contact Information
Contact information about a particular school is available on the CDE California School Directory Web page. From the California School Directory Web page, type the name of the school in the “Name” field; select the “Search” button; then choose the school you are looking for from the “Select School name below for details” column.
