Kent School
Advanced Studies
Advanced Studies
College-level exploration through independent work, creative projects, and deep learning.
Advanced Studies courses challenge students who have demonstrated talent or aptitude in a specific academic or creative discipline. Emphasizing depth over breadth, these courses invite students to create, apply, and evaluate knowledge through sustained inquiry, original work, and close faculty mentorship.
Advanced Studies in Action
Deep Academic Inquiry
Explore subjects deeply through sustained inquiry, original projects, and thoughtful academic or creative exploration.
Independent Creative Thinking
Develop ideas independently while applying advanced skills, critical thinking, and creative or analytical processes.
Faculty Guided Mentorship
Work closely with faculty mentors through discussion, critique, reflection, feedback, and personalized guidance and support.
Original Scholarly Work
Produce substantial work demonstrating originality, depth, refinement, and readiness for college-level study and independence.
Advanced Studies courses move beyond memorization to focus on deep understanding and meaningful application of knowledge. Students explore topics in detail, develop confidence in their ideas, and engage actively in the learning process.
Advanced Studies courses are characterized by:
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Seminar-style classes and discussions
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Research-, project-, or portfolio-based assessments
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Emphasis on process, reflection, and revision
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Opportunities for interdisciplinary thinking
Advanced Studies Courses
Art
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AS Studio Art
Computer Science
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AS Computer Science Principles
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AS Computer Science A
English
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AS English Literature
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AS World Religions
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AS US Government & Politics
History & Social Sciences
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AS America’s God
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AS American Song
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AS Black American History
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AS Church History
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AS Constitutional Law
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AS Historical Research
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AS Historical Writing
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AS History of Kent
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AS History of Tibet
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AS International Relations
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AS Music, Power, and Resistance
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AS Nomads, Empires, Silks
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AS Notable Americans: Lincoln
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AS Soviet Communism
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AS US Women’s History
Mathematics
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AS Calculus
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AS Postcalculus
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AS Statistics
Modern & Classical Languages
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AS Chinese
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AS French Language & Culture
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AS Spanish Language & Culture
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AS Spanish Literature
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AS Classical Greek
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AS Latin: Virgil and Caesar
Psychology & Religion
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AS World Religion
Science
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AS Biology
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AS Chemistry
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AS Environmental Science
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AS Physics
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AS Psychology
Advanced Studies courses are open to students who have built a strong foundation in a subject through prior coursework, summer study, or departmental recommendation.
Advanced Studies Diploma
Recognizing sustained, independent scholarshipThe Kent curriculum features a series of Advanced Studies courses designed to encourage independent scholarship at the college level. Students may graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma in a discipline or program.
To earn the Advanced Studies Diploma, students complete prerequisite coursework and produce a body of work demonstrating significant complexity, originality, and depth.
Artifacts of deep learning may include:
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A research paper or scholarly thesis
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A chapbook of poems or original literary work
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A portfolio of visual art
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A suite of musical or theatrical performances
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Laboratory or field research
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An exposition of mathematical or engineering ideas
The Advanced Studies Diploma program is implemented over a three-year period.
Independent Study
Original, student-designed academic experiencesFifth and Sixth Form students interested in pursuing an original project or course of study not regularly offered by the School may apply for an Independent Study. These for-credit experiences are conducted under the sponsorship of a faculty member and require approval from the Director of Studies and the Independent Study Committee.
Recent Independent Study topics have included multivariate calculus and its applications to physics, the interpretation of dreams, Etruscan funerary urns, fashion design, and conversational Russian.
Applications for Independent Study must be submitted prior to the start of the term of intended study and are granted on merit.
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