About

Providing high quality instruction for over two decades, Berkeley Independent Study (BIS) 9th -12th acknowledges and welcomes each student’s personal, cultural, and academic background. BIS is an option for Berkeley High students who prefer a flexible schedule with independent work and weekly classes. Our students are critical thinkers and independent, lifelong learners.

Academics

BIS uses a quarter system. Students take a maximum of 3 classes per quarter so that they have enough time to complete their work. Students are expected to put in an average of 10 hours of work per class per week. Attending all class appointments on time is essential due to the accelerated pace of the quarter system. At the end of each quarter, students receive final semester grades. Tutoring is available for students who need additional support. See BIS Classes for more info.

Garden

The BIS garden is a place where everyone can relax, enjoy the outdoors, and learn about our role in the environment. Through hands-on instruction, students learn about regenerative gardening, composting, nutrition, cooking, and mindfulness. The garden has won the hearts of a dedicated group of attendees, including staff and students of all ages. The BIS garden is open to everyone. Visit the BIS Garden Page for more info.

Testimonials

  • "BIS classes are a lot smaller and the campus is a lot calmer, a very different vibe from Berkeley High."

    Aya Daterra

  • "BIS allows me to take college classes."

    Albert Shapiro

  • “BIS provides enough structure for students to learn the subject, yet still explore outside of school.”

    Soledad De Mucha Flores

  • "Independent Study was a smooth transition from my previous homeschool experience."

    Jasiah Mays

  • "I came here to take my athletic career to a higher level."

    Wesley Smith

  • “Instead of the teachers telling me to learn a certain way, I can choose how I want to learn."

    Llewell Zander

Staff

  • Kamala Asher

    Kamala Asher is the K-8 Homeschool and HHI Coordinator at BIS. She works diligently with families to create compassionate and responsive learning environments that nurture curiosity, mutual understanding and agency.

    kamalaasher@berkeley.net

  • Christina Balch

    Christina Balch has been teaching literature at BIS since 2000. She inspires students to change the way they see themselves and their world with new ideas. A BHS graduate and 4-year union rep, Ms. Balch holds a BA in Women's Studies.

    christinabalch@berkeley.net

  • Michael Conner

    Michael Conner is the Case Manager at BIS. With a Master’s in Education, he has taught for over 20 years in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and California. An avid hiker and camper, Michael enjoys the Boston Red Sox, motorcycle adventures, cooking, and creating music.

    michaelconner@berkeley.net

  • Michelle Cruciani

    Michelle Cruciani is the K-4 teacher for the homeschool program at BIS. She is a former ELD and math support teacher at Cragmont Elementary. She's enthusiastic about reading to her students and assisting them with reading and writing. When not working with homeschool families, she enjoys swimming, bike riding and hiking with friends and family.

    michellecruciani@berkeley.net

  • Yvette Felarca

    Yvette Felarca teaches Middle School Humanities and High School English at BIS. Ms. Felarca loves teaching middle school students because they are energetic debaters. Ms. Felarca also loves baking, her cat Lola, and putting energy into causes that she believes in.

    yvettefelarca@berkeley.net

  • Becky Gross

    Becky Gross has been teaching English at BIS since 2001. A former teacher at private schools, King Middle Schools, and Berkeley High, Ms. Gross’s kindergarten class was the first in the nation to try voluntary desegregation.

    rebeccagross@berkeley.net

  • Barry Harris

    Barry Harris teaches AP Environmental Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Integrated Science at BIS. An educator since 2008, Barry collaborates with BTA on the Robotics and the Repair clubs. He loves sharing his passion for how science can help us understand the world.

    barryharris@berkeley.net

  • Gerry Jamin

    Gerry Jamin teaches history at BIS.

    gerardjamin@berkeley.net

  • Erica Johnson

    Erica Johnson is the Office Manager at BIS /BTA. The mother of one amazing, brilliant, beautiful daughter, Erica has worked with BUSD for over 10 years. Erica exhibits a strong, loving personality and shows genuine care and concern for all students.

    ericajohnson@berkeley.net

  • Jonas Lamatery-Brownell

    Jonas Lamattery-Brownell is the Herrick Hospital teacher at BIS. He often spends lunch time with students because he believes that extra time spent discussing the subjects he teaches is vital to understanding our world today. Jonas is also a student of Tibetan Nyingma Buddhism.

    lamatterybrownell@berkeley.net

  • Noah Laroia-Nguyen

    Noah Laroia-Nguyen (they/them) is the high school art teacher at BIS. They studied printmaking, comics, and glassblowing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and secondary education at San Francisco State. They also teach photography at BHS and run the Gender Expansive Support Group for students. They enjoy exploring the visual world with students and helping them turn their vision into artwork.

    noahlaroianguyen@berkeley.net

  • Linh Le

    Linh Le

    Linh Le is the BIS School Counselor. She graduated BHS in the class of ‘95 and has a degree in Integrative Biology, with a minor in Education, and a Masters in Social Work. Working in BUSD for the last nine years, she has helped spread kindness through the community. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, gardening, and being a soccer mom.

    linhle@berkeley.net

  • Ted Li

    Ted Li teaches Math and Home & Hospital Instruction at BIS. Ted taught math for 20 years in Tracy, Sequoia, and Salinas after earning a Master’s in Applied Math from Central South University in China. He enjoys reading, science, traveling, being handy, and the James Webb Telescope.

    weihuali@berkeley.net

  • Anna Martinez

    Anna Martinez is a history/social sciences teacher at BIS. Anna teaches US and World History exploring the intersections of race, class, and gender in the moral dilemmas of the modern era. Anna is committed to learning from each of her students to assist their unique learning process.

    annamartinez@berkeley.net

  • Holly Nelson, "Maestra Holly"

    Holly Nelson, “Maestra Holly,” teaches Spanish at BIS. For over 20 years, Holly has taught subjects from ESL to Sustainable Agriculture and developed programs to combat homelessness and protect our oceans. She even led 4 service-learning trips to Latin America.

    hollynelson@berkeley.net

  • David Schroeder

    David Schroeder has been teaching math at BIS since 2006. Board games, visual art, tech, and intellectual theory inform David’s instruction for all students. As a result, these students learn how they think about quantity, use math to navigate the world, and think critically.

    davidschroeder@berkeley.net

  • Shayna Stuempfig

    Shayna Stuempfig started working at BIS/BTA as the lead school psychologist in 2022. With an MA and PPS in Psychology, Shayna is a board-certified behavior analyst, and a licensed educational psychologist. Shayna enjoys group exercise, travel, and rugby.

    shaynastuempfig@berkeley.net

  • Corey Wade

    Corey Wade teaches Math, Data Science, Programming, and Home & Hospital Instruction at BIS. The director and founder of Berkeley Coding Academy and author of The Python Workshop, Corey celebrates the joy, history, philosophy, and great math proofs with his students.

    coreywade@berkeley.net

  • Heidi Weber

    Heidi Weber is the BIS Principal. A former dean, vice principal, and teacher leader, Heidi taught English and ELD at BHS for 20 years. Her great grandfather was the principal and teacher of a one-room school house in Volcano, CA. Her mother, great aunt, godparents, and great-great-grandfather were all educators.

    heidiweber@berkeley.net