When students at LA propose a project or independent study idea, we surprise them by looking for ways to help them instead of finding ways to say no. That’s why we have allowed a freshman to take AP Computer Science, a sophomore to do installation art (she went on to graduate from the Independent Immersion Program and matriculate at Savannah College of Art and Design), a junior to teach a course in robotics, and a senior to be the technical director and stage manager for the fall play. It's not unusual for 25-30 students to be involved in academic independents or in athletic independents; just as common is having 15 students designing their own internships that are called Winterim Professionals. In recent years, as many as five students completed a year in the selective Independent Immersion Program. Get the idea? When you are prepared and exercise initiative, school is definitely more fun because you are guided by your own curiosity and not a teacher's lesson plans.

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