Senior Scholars

The Place to Chart your own Path

Senior year provides students with the opportunity to grow their scholarship in a particular subject area. The Deerfield Senior Scholars Program challenges motivated students to pursue deep study in an area of personal interest via research classes or the Alternate or Directed Study Program.

As a historian, I want my research to have meaning through complicating, adding to, or challenging a previously conceived notion.
Honors Historical Research Scholar
The experience of researching and completing this alternative study has fueled my determination to study Earth Sciences because addressing the environmental challenges of our time requires scientific rigor—not only to deepen our understanding of Earth’s history but to develop practical solutions that responsibly shape its future.
Alternate Study Scholar

"A Downstream Legacy"

“Examining the Effects of Local Historical Mining in the Franklin County Area on the Modern Deerfield River Valley”

Building on her experiences interning for geological projects in Norway and Vermont, Silvie ’26 engaged in high-quality independent research in the field in nearby Rowe, MA, at the abandoned Davis Mine site, developing critical skills that will support her studies in the future.

Find out more about Silvie’s exciting project.

Research Classes

Students may engage in a two-term or yearlong course in science, history, or math that emphasizes collaboration among classmates and independent research and presentation. All courses culminate in a presentation either in class or at a public symposium. Courses include Data Science Senior Capstone, Honors Biology 2: Research, Honors Chemistry 2: Research, Honors Environmental Science 2: Research, and Honors Historical Research.

Directed Studies

A Directed Study is a Spring Term course developed by a student and a faculty mentor that covers content in a department outside the curriculum, but that follows a similar cadence to standard Academy courses. Directed Studies pursued in the past include topics such as the political history of dance, Sanskrit, and advanced mathematics. 

Alternate Studies

The most autonomous of the Senior Scholar opportunities, the Alternate Study is an independently conceived project in an area of interest. The project can be research-based, creative, or practical, and can be on or off campus. Alternate Studies of the past include an internship at a local school, a research project about beaver habitats, and the publishing of a magazine.

Come along with Honors Environmental Science 2: Research

Excited to chart your own path?
Here is what you need to know before you apply:

Guidelines and Requirements- Alternate / Directed Studies

  • Seniors in good academic standing are eligible for both directed study and on-campus and off-campus alternate study projects.
  • One-year seniors or postgraduates, seniors with a prior commitment to the Big Brothers / Big Sisters program, and potential Division I or II college athletes cannot undertake off-campus projects.
  • Your term- or course-end grades must be 80% or above in all of your courses at the end of the Winter Term.
  • You must not be on restrictions due to excess accountability points at the end of the term.
  • Alternate study projects are graded Pass / Fail. Directed study projects receive a numeric grade.
  • You cannot raise money, earn money, or put yourself in risky situations (without adult supervision).
  • Financial assistance for project costs may be available. Contact the Academic Affairs Office if you anticipate project expenses.
  • Generally, all full year courses must be completed and cannot be dropped to accommodate an alternate or directed study.
  • Submit a Proposal

For more information about Alternate or Directed Studies, contact Dean of Studies Lydia Hemphill.

Guidelines and Requirements- Research Classes

  • Only seniors may enroll in research classes, and they must fulfill all prerequisites.
  • Each research class will be vetted by the enrolling department. Students must have shown interest and proficiency in previous department courses as well as the ability to work collaboratively and independently.
  • Review the course catalog for information about each class.
  • Courses including Data Science Senior Capstone, Honors Historical Research, Honors Biology 2: Research, Honors Chemistry 2: Research, and Honors Environmental Science 2: Research.