Making Success Achievable: A Spotlight on the Independent Study Academy

At Visions, our mission is to prepare each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world. For many of our 9th-12th grade students, our Independent Study Academy is the key to fulfilling that mission, offering an engaging and personalized program for those students who need an alternative path to earning their diploma. Serving our largest population of students, Independent Study goes beyond academic success to focus on students’ personal and post-high school lives.

“We serve a diverse range of students, including those balancing part-time jobs, attending community college, or managing family responsibilities. Our program offers the great instruction and resources students need to succeed academically, develop essential life skills, and prepare for college or their future careers,” says Sarah McFarland, Director of Instruction for Independent Study & University Prep. “My ultimate goal is to provide every IS student with the support and tools needed to thrive both academically and personally.”

As a Director, Sarah’s role is to oversee the strategic direction of the Independent Study Academy, supporting Principals, Vice Principals, and teachers in driving student achievement. This includes focusing on the integration of technology, the use of data to guide continuous improvement, and ensuring curriculum meets state standards.

To support this work, the Independent Study Academy has four Principals and five Vice Principals, as well as two Charter School Secretaries and an Administrative Assistant. Together, this group provides everything from direct instruction to curriculum design to student interventions.

“Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is everything that we all do to support students. This includes basics like providing access to technology, having a plan for graduation, and facilitating student access to our online curriculum,” explains Cristina Buss, Vice Principal.

In addition, a large facet of the Independent Study team’s work is expanding academic opportunities and refining current practices to better serve our students. This year for example, the department implemented a more flexible and individualized approach to math with regard to curriculum and synchronous instruction that is better meeting the needs of our students.

“Independent study programs typically allow students to work at their own pace, which helps in personalizing content based on each student’s strengths and weaknesses. This allows teachers to adapt the learning to focus on areas where students need the most support, which is crucial in a subject like math, where skills build progressively,” explains Jasmin Patel, Principal.

For 2024-25, the new Lincoln Learning curriculum has been developed as well, combining engaging digital content with enhanced tools for both students and teachers. With a focus on essential standards, students are receiving access to high-quality resources, more dynamic learning tools, and targeted support.

“This approach helps students achieve success in essential math skills [and] ensures that both students and teachers have the tools needed to create a rich, effective learning environment that prepares students for future academic and career success,” says Sarah.

Embodying PLCs

For the past three years, Visions’ Instructional teams have been engaging in PLC work. The PLC (Professional Learning Communities) model teaches instructional teams how to unify processes and goals in an effort to deliver quality instruction to students. With an emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement, working in PLCs ensures our ability to better serve our students.

“The PLC collaborative work is some of the most impactful work we can do for our students,” explains Todd Lewis, Principal. “Rather than focus on assignment completion, we can guarantee students understand the essentials of each course.”

“When we talk about a visions of Professional Learning Communities at work, it really sounds out in content and grade level teams. These areas are where teachers are able to find the space to identify problems, collaborate with colleagues, and develop solutions that best meet the needs of students,” adds Gregg Moses, Principal. “The ability for teachers to effectively make tactical decisions for our students shows an overall core value of supporting our students where they are.”

1% Better

Along with PLCs, the Independent Study Academy has implemented multiple other programs to benefit students. These programs, which include Credit Recovery, Summer School, Financial Literacy, and more, bring an added layer of support that not only helps students academically, but shows them that they’re capable of accomplishing their goals.

“The Credit Recovery Program exemplifies the ‘1% better’ approach by focusing on meeting each student’s unique needs to support incremental improvements in the educational outcomes of each learner,” says JoEllen Graulty, Vice Principal.

Summer School is another program that meets students where they are academically, guiding them to graduation and setting them up for post-high school success.

“Summer School provides an opportunity for those who need additional time/classes to meet their graduation goals,” says Josh Imler, Vice Principal and director of last summer’s program. ” Many of our incoming  IS students are credit deficient, so having an impactful summer school program can make all the difference in supporting students in achieving a diploma.”

In addition to the programs that support students’ graduation goals, the Financial Literacy course provides our high school students with skills they can utilize in everyday life and into their adulthood.

“Financial Literacy was developed for students to learn mathematical concepts that they will use in their daily lives,” explains Shannon Alward, Principal and 22-year Visions employee. “Students explore the ways in which real-life activities such as traveling and purchasing a new car or house relates to mathematics.”

Andrea Leuschen, Vice Principal, sums up our 1% better efforts, saying, “I believe that Visions is a place where there is a dedication to always look to improve and include everyone in the process. I love the fact that I get to lead a club and partner with the community to build future…leaders.”

Staff Support = Student Success

The work that our Independent Study teachers and administrators do would not be possible without the support from Charter School Secretaries Lindsey Nance and Mariana Rivera and Administrative Assistant Nancy Legalsi. Although they all have different bodies of work, each is essential to the success of the department and our students.

“As a Charter School Secretary, I’m all about making life easier for both students and administrators,” explains Lindsey. “I help with login issues, schedule interpreters, and support the curriculum department, Principals and VPs. My main goal is to be available to everybody to answer questions or help out any way I can!”

Mariana’s day-to-day involves a mix of planning, coordinating, and connecting with students, staff, and vendors to plan and execute high school events.

“These events are crucial for students as they provide a space for social interaction and personal growth outside the classroom,” says Mariana. “I’ve seen students become more engaged and confident through participation in these activities. It’s rewarding to watch them connect with peers, try new things, and create lasting memories.”

A Message from Administrative Assistant and 25-Year Visionary Nancy Legalsi

“Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing life’s journey in countless forms. I’ve seen new teachers begin their careers, wished other well on their retirements, watched families grow, and sadly, had to say goodbye to some. I’ve also watched students’ lives transform, coming to us lacking motivation and hope, and our teachers have stepped up and met the challenge, lending students hope and motivation until they found their own. I know firsthand how a high school diploma can change a student’s future – I’m proud to be the parent of two Visions graduates! At Visions, we are as unique as our students; we don’t fit into a box. We’re fluid, adaptable, and embrace what I like to call ‘plot twists’. Change is a constant and essential for success. Every employee, past and present, has contributed to our school’s achievements. Visions has a knack for selecting such great people to work here.”