If you would like to enroll in independent study, please notify your school directly. 

For more information on Independent Study, watch the recent information sessions here.

Independent study options are available for all Glendale Unified students during the 2021-22 school year. Students with exceptional needs may enroll but will need to have their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) modified to address the request for independent study and adjust services.

Students in grades 6-12 (including students who attend elementary school for 6th grade) who are unable to return for in-person learning are invited to enroll in Verdugo Academy, the District’s independent study school. Students complete their school assignments at home. Students engage in live, virtual instruction with their Glendale Unified independent study teachers weekly and check-in with their teachers virtually daily or as-needed depending on their grade level.

• Students in grades 6-8 will engage in weekly live instruction and daily check-ins with their teacher of record. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.
  
  
• Students in grades 9-12 will engage in weekly live instruction offered by their teacher of record and check in with their teacher as needed. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.

Students entering 9th grade who thrive in a virtual environment and are motivated to earn college credits while still in high school may consider our new Online College and Career Academy. Learn more at www.gusd.net/OnlineAcademy.

Students in grades TK-5 who are unable to return for in-person learning are invited to participate in our Glendale Unified independent study program. Students complete their school assignments at home. Students engage in live, virtual instruction with their Glendale Unified independent study teacher daily or weekly depending on their grade level, and check-in with their teacher virtually every day.

• Students in grades TK-3 will engage in daily live instruction offered by their teacher of record. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.
  
  
• Students in grades 4-5 will engage in weekly live instruction and daily check-ins with their teacher of record. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.

Students who wish to permanently transition to independent study may consider enrolling in Verdugo Academy, the District’s independent study school. Learn more at www.gusd.net/VerdugoAcademy. 

For college acceptance, it is important for middle and high school students to attend a WASC accredited school. The Glendale Unified Verdugo Academy independent study program is WASC accredited. 

Send an email to IndependentStudy@gusd.net. Please include your student's name and student ID number.

They will then be switched back to their home school.

Yes. Per CA Education Code students may enroll in independent study or return to in-person learning at their home school within 5 days of notifying the independent study program staff. To minimize disruption to the student’s academic program, we strongly recommend students transition to or from in-person learning at the end of the academic term (trimester for grades TK-5, semester for grades 6-12).

Yes. Students enrolled in independent study for the 2021-22 school year will have rights to re-enroll at their home school when they return to in-person learning. This includes students enrolled in our FLAG dual immersion and magnet programs and students attending school on a permit.

Students will engage in a combination of district curriculum provided by their teacher and an online independent study curriculum. Assessments will be determined by the teacher and will also be a combination of the above.

Each student will be assigned a Glendale Unified independent study teacher of record who will provide live, virtual instruction and check in with students daily or weekly depending on their grade level. An additional teacher may be assigned to monitor progress, meet with parents/guardians, and ensure that program requirements are being met.

Most assignments will be completed using Google classroom or another online learning platform. Some assignments may require paper and pencil. For these assignments, teachers will make arrangements for pick up and drop off with students and families.

Yes. Elementary students in grades TK-5 will receive grades at the end of each trimester; middle and high school students in grades 6-12 will receive grades at the end of each semester. Teachers will provide parents/guardians with regular updates on their student’s progress.

Glendale Unified independent study teachers will meet with students daily, weekly, or as-needed based on the student’s grade level. Most meetings and live instruction will take place virtually through Zoom or Google Meets. In-person meetings may occur periodically if requested by the parent/guardian or teacher, or to conduct assessments.

• Students in grades TK-3 will engage in daily live instruction offered by their teacher of record. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.
• Students in grades 4-8 will engage in weekly live instruction and daily check-ins with their teacher of record. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.

Students in grades 9-12 will engage in weekly live instruction offered by their teacher of record and check in with their teacher as-needed. Students will also engage in asynchronous online instructional programming every day.

Students will be provided with all necessary materials for learning, including textbooks, school supplies, and technology. Students and families will be invited to pick up their materials prior to the start of school.

Yes. Glendale Unified independent study teachers will provide a weekly schedule of when live instruction and teacher/parent/student meetings will take place when additional support is available, and when students should be working independently. Students and families will receive prior notice of any schedule changes.

Parents/guardians are responsible for providing a learning environment that allows their students to focus on independent work and engage in live virtual interactions with teachers, support staff, and other students. Parents/guardians should closely monitor their student to ensure they are actively engaged in live instruction, completing independent work, and turning in assignments on time.

Independent study teachers will provide additional support for students who need it. Teachers will also work with parents/guardians on strategies to support their student. Students may have an additional teacher or aide meet with them virtually to provide support related to their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or assist with English Language Development.

Students with exceptional needs will continue to receive support as determined by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students who are enrolling in independent study will meet with their IEP team and have their IEP modified to address the request for independent study and adjust services, as needed.

Yes. FLAG students who enroll in Independent Study will receive lessons in the target language for live interaction and practice. They may also check out materials and access online resources to maintain their language of study. 

Students enrolled in independent study may only participate in activities offered by the independent study program.