Frequently Asked Questions¶
South High School · Self-Directed Academy
About the Program¶
What is SDA? SDA (Self-Directed Academy) is a competency-based program where you earn credit through Studios — six-week learning cycles — instead of traditional seat time and tests. You produce real work and demonstrate that you know academic standards through evidence you choose. See How to SDA for the full explanation.
What classes am I in? In Grade 9, SDA replaces English I and World History with an integrated program. You're enrolled in both — they count as separate credits — but in SDA they run together as one experience. Your writing skills are how you prove what you learned in history.
Do I still have to go to other classes? Yes. SDA is your English and Social Studies credit. You still attend all other classes (math, science, electives, AP, etc.) on your regular schedule.
Is there homework? Not in the traditional sense. There are no assigned homework worksheets. However, Studio work takes time, and if you're not finishing your Studio phases on schedule, you'll need to work outside of class. The Studio is yours to manage — that's the whole point.
Studios¶
What is a Studio? A Studio is a six-week learning cycle. It starts with a shared essential question (e.g., "When is rebellion justified?"), and you investigate your own specific angle within that question. You research, build a deliverable (essay, podcast, video, etc.), and exhibit it publicly in Week 6. See How to SDA for the full lifecycle.
How many Studios do I do per year? Approximately six Studios per year, though the exact count depends on pacing. Year 1 (Grade 9) focuses on World History — Era 1 through Era 4.
Can I choose my topic? Yes, within the Studio's essential question. The class shares one essential question per Studio. You choose your specific inquiry angle — the particular question you'll investigate within that broader question. The more specific your angle, the better your Studio usually goes.
Can I propose my own Studio entirely? Yes, if you're a Phoenix (Level 3). Phoenix students can propose a Studio with their own essential question, not just an angle within the class question. This requires a written proposal and advisor approval. Most students reach Maverick first, then Phoenix.
What if I don't finish a Studio by Week 6? Extensions are available with advisor approval, but they must be requested before the exhibition, not after. If you're falling behind, talk to your advisor by Week 4 at the latest. Don't wait until Week 6 to say you're not ready.
Can I redo a Studio I didn't do well on? Not exactly — you can't redo an entire Studio. But you can resubmit evidence for a specific standard within the same semester if you can show substantially improved or new work. Talk to your advisor about what that looks like for the standard you're working on.
Scoring and Grades¶
How does scoring work? Every standard is scored on a 1.0–4.0 scale: - 4.0 — You exceed the standard (in-depth applications not directly taught) - 3.0 — You meet the standard (no major errors or omissions) - 2.0 — Foundation knowledge only (basic vocabulary and processes, missing complex ideas) - 1.0 — Partial understanding, even with help
Scores in between (3.5, 2.5, 1.5) reflect partial success toward the next level.
What grade does a 3.0 equal? Individual standards stay on the 1–4 scale. Your semester letter grade comes from averaging your body of summative evidence and applying the Fargo Public Schools cut scores: A 2.81–4.0 · B 2.51–2.80 · C 1.71–2.50 · D 1.51–1.70 · F 1.50 or below. Consistent Proficiency (3.0) earns an A. (District grading system, 2026-27.)
What should I aim for? 3.0 every Studio. That means no major errors or omissions on the standard as written. 4.0 is available if you go further — if you make connections and applications that weren't directly taught. Set your target in your Studio Proposal at the start of each cycle.
What goes into Infinite Campus? Your final proficiency scores for each standard go into Infinite Campus at the end of each semester. You can check your scores in Headrush throughout the semester — that's where your advisor records evidence and scores.
Is there extra credit? Not by that name. But you can always resubmit evidence for a higher score on a standard, and you can always pursue a 4.0 by going deeper than required.
Ownership Levels¶
What are the ownership levels? Trailblazer → Maverick → Phoenix. Your level determines how much independence you have in proposing Studios, choosing topics, and collaborating with other students. Levels are reviewed every two weeks.
How do I move up? Show consistent evidence of independent research, timely completion of Studio phases, and proficiency scores at 2.5 or above (to move from Trailblazer to Maverick) or 3.0+ across multiple Studios (to move from Maverick to Phoenix). You can apply to move up — talk to your advisor.
Can I move down? Yes. If your Studio work is consistently late or incomplete, or if your scores drop, your advisor may move you back to a more structured level. This is not a punishment — it's a reset to get you the support you need.
Skinnies¶
What is a skinny? A skinny is a short, focused mini-lesson that teaches one specific skill. You pull them when you hit a knowledge or skill gap mid-Studio — "I don't know how to write a counterclaim" or "I don't understand what a primary source is." See How to SDA for the full explanation.
Am I required to do skinnies? Not every Studio — only when you have a specific gap blocking your work. Your advisor may recommend one. You can also pull them yourself whenever you need them.
Where do I find skinnies? In this wiki under ELA 9-10 Skinnies and World History Skinnies. The How to SDA guide links to the relevant ones for each skill.
Research and Sources¶
How many sources do I need? At minimum: one primary source and one secondary source per Studio. More is better. The IR bundle (IR.1–IR.5) is assessed every Studio and requires at least two sources, organized in a source log, with source evaluations.
What counts as a primary source? A primary source is a document, artifact, or record created at the time of the event you're studying — a speech, a law, a letter, a photograph, a firsthand account. The Reading Library is full of them. CrashCourse videos are not primary sources — they're secondary sources (someone analyzing history, not living it).
Can I use Wikipedia? Wikipedia is a useful starting point to get oriented — it's not a citable source in your Studio work. Use it to understand a topic, then follow the footnotes to primary or secondary sources you can actually cite.
What citation format do we use? MLA. See the Research Bundle Skinny for format examples.
Exhibition¶
What happens at the exhibition? You present your deliverable to a real audience and then take questions. The exhibition is public — it's not just your class. Depending on the Studio, your audience might include other students, parents, community members, or an expert panel. See Exhibition Prep for the full guide.
What am I graded on at the exhibition? The communication standards: C.1 (your presentation) and C.6 (how you handle questions and discussion). Your proficiency score on the main Studio standard (WH or ELA reading/writing) comes from your Week 5 demonstration of learning — that's already done before the exhibition.
What if I'm nervous? Rehearse. The students who are nervous and rehearse do fine. The students who are nervous and don't rehearse have a harder time. Practice your opening sentence — once you get through that, the rest follows.
The Wiki¶
What is this wiki for? This wiki is your resource library for SDA — standards pages, skinnies, reading library, CrashCourse episode guides, studio packets, and guides like this one. It's meant to be a working tool you use throughout the year, not something you read once at orientation.
Is the wiki always available? Yes — it's online at sdacommons.org, from any device, at school or at home. Just log in with your @fargoschools.org account (you'll get a one-time code by email the first time). Only Fargo Public Schools accounts can get in.
How do I find something specific? Use the navigation on the left side of any page. If you're looking for a specific standard, go to Standards. For texts, go to Reading Library. For skill mini-lessons, go to Skinnies. For CrashCourse episode guides, go to CrashCourse.
Getting Help¶
Who do I ask first? Your advisor (Reese). If you're stuck, say exactly what you're stuck on — "I don't know how to start my research question" is more useful than "I need help."
When should I NOT wait to ask? If you're behind on a Studio phase by more than two days, don't wait — talk to your advisor. Problems that are small in Week 2 become emergencies by Week 5.
What if my advisor isn't available right now? Pull a skinny. Check the reading library. Look at the Studio Archive and see how a past student approached a similar question. The wiki exists precisely for moments when you need to make progress independently.
FAQ — SDA Commons Wiki · South High School See also: How to SDA · Exhibition Prep · Reading Library How-To