Read more about our Independent Study classes...

Self-paced. Independent. Uniquely Brave Writer.

You love our innovative, compassionate approach and methods backed by the latest educational research. Now, we’ve taken that same care for supported learning that permeates all of our materials and built a flexible, instructor-free experience designed for the independent student.

Whether your student needs to slow down to deeply ponder a concept or speed up because they’ve found their groove, these courses offer the ultimate freedom. No deadlines. Just superior content available whenever your student is ready to dive in.

Why Choose Independent Study?

These courses offer the same high-quality materials found in our teacher-led courses, reimagined for the self-motivated student. Full of robust learning, each course guides your student along, step by step, to create writing that is meaningful to them. 

  • Executive Functioning Practice: A "low-stakes" way for teens to practice planning and managing a project independently—a vital skill for adulthood.
  • Total Flexibility: Our easy-to-use digital classroom is open 24/7. Your teen can choose to interact with other writers in the classroom or fly solo.
  • Seamless Integration: These courses complement both our writing bundles AND our live instruction classes. Use them for a change of pace, to address a needed skill, or to plug into a specific interest or passion.

The Debut Courses


Media Literacy

(For ages 13-18)

Our teens are swimming in a digital ocean of deepfakes and conspiracy theories. We don't just teach "internet rules" (which are obsolete by next Tuesday). We build critical thinking muscles.

  • The Process: By analyzing and then creating their own Public Service Announcement (PSA), teens learn how imagery, sound, and editing are used to influence audiences.
  • The Result: When you know how the magic trick is done, you’re much harder to fool.

MLA Research Essay

(For ages 15-18)

The ability to research, think, and reason one's way through a long-form essay is essential. We help your teen gain readiness for any kind of academic writing using the latest MLA Handbook guidelines.

  • The Process: Teens independently navigate the journey of a 1,500–2,000-word essay as they argue their thesis with thorough analysis and credible source support.
  • The Result: A repeatable system they can use for every college paper they’ll ever write.

What about Feedback?

Adults at home are welcome to give weekly feedback on writing assignments, but the writing growth happens as a result of writing one's way through the material rather than receiving ongoing comments from a reader. We give a detailed checklist for the end-of-course project that will help students and their at-home editors get ideas for useful feedback and changes to make.