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A student smiles in front of a saltwater fish tank at Indian Springs School — Savannah’s independent study explores the wildlife living across Indian Springs School’s 350-acre campus. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

What happens when you give a curious student 350 acres of Alabama woods, a few game cameras and the freedom to follow their interests? At Indian Springs School, nestled between Oak Mountain and Pelham, you get a pretty fascinating independent study.

Meet Savannah Pigford, a 12th grader who has turned her lifelong love of animals into an up-close look at the wildlife living on campus. From bobcats and foxes to coyotes, deer and one camera-loving raccoon, Savannah’s research is a fun glimpse into the kind of learning happening at this Birmingham-area private school.

Read on for Savannah’s story, what makes Indian Springs School unique and how you can experience this one-of-a-kind campus at the September 20 Preview Day.

How Indian Springs School students turn their interests into hands-on learning

Savannah Pigford smiles for a selfie with a small owl perched on her shoulder in an outdoor enclosure

Savannah Pigford poses close-up with a small screech owl perched on her arm in an enclosure

_{An up-close look at a screech owl, one of the many animals that have fueled Savannah’s passion for learning about the natural world. (Savannah Pigford)}

Savannah has loved animals for as long as she can remember. When she arrived at Indian Springs and discovered the school’s Independent Study Program, she knew she wanted to explore that interest.

The spark came during a two-week project at the end of her ninth-grade year, when Savannah and her classmates set up trail cameras around campus.

“One of the cameras I set up captured a bobcat. That was probably the best moment of ninth grade.”
Savannah Pigford

Savannah's wildlife journal page with a hand-drawn gray squirrel sketch, species facts and a sighting log table — Savannah created this homemade book to document her game camera discoveries. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

After that, she was hooked. She decided to keep the project going, developing a census of the animals living on campus. She set out game cameras again, documenting armadillos, red and gray foxes and deer.

After a busy junior year she finally had the time to make her wildlife research the focus of her independent study.

Indian Springs School’s 350-acre campus gives students a unique classroom

A small falcon perched on a gloved hand, part of the wildlife studied at the Alabama Wildlife Center

A gray and white bird of prey perched on a gloved hand outdoors at the Alabama Wildlife Center

_{Savannah holds two raptors during a visit to the Alabama Wildlife Center in Birmingham. (Savannah Pigford)}

Something really unique about Indian Springs School is that its campus sits on more than 350 acres at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, bordering the northern edge of Oak Mountain State Park.

With Oak Mountain State Park just beyond campus, students have even more opportunities to connect classroom lessons with the natural world.

For students like Savannah, that means having a classroom that can look a lot different from a typical four-walled schoolroom (though, of course, they have those, too). Sometimes, learning at Indian Springs School means opening a textbook. Other times, it means heading into the woods to see what a trail camera caught overnight.

“The amount of biodiversity we have found on campus is insane. It’s really cool to be able to have so much land to explore on and to learn about. Being able to go out into the woods and study the natural world is something I love doing.”
Savannah Pigford

A Birmingham-area private school built around curiosity

Teacher holding biology handouts talks to students in a science lab with skeleton model and taxidermy specimens — Dr. Sides leads a ninth grade biology class at Indian Springs School. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Savannah’s wildlife project is just one example of the hands-on learning available at Indian Springs School.

Students can choose from more than 200 courses, including unique electives such as:

BEEST: Biology, Engineering, Environmental Science + Technology
Botany
Business Entrepreneurship
Digital + Analog Photography
Moral Philosophy
Sports Medicine
Contemporary Music Ensemble

Indian Springs students smiling while assembling a VEX robotics kit with gears and motors

Indian Springs student in safety goggles and apron heats a wire sample over a Bunsen burner flame in chemistry lab

Indian Springs School students turn classroom lessons into hands-on science + technology projects. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Through Independent Students and Capstone Projects, students can also work with faculty mentors to explore topics that interest them and connect their learning to the real world.

Past projects have included:

Discrete mathematics
Forest fire reconnaissance
Machine learning with Python, a programming language
Study of author Haruki Murakami

For Savannah, having so many possibilities has been one of the best parts of her experience at Indian Springs.

“We have a ton of different interesting classes to take, and I’m sad that I won’t be able to take all of them. For students just beginning, or already here, be sure to take advantage of the options while you can.”
Savannah Pigford

More ways to learn, create + get involved at Indian Springs School

Indian Springs School students jump for a football during an outdoor pickup game on campus

Indian Springs student plays saxophone on stage with band during a music performance

_{Students pursue their passions on the field and in the arts. (Indian Springs School)}

Indian Springs School is about more than academics. Students can find their people and passions through:

20+ varsity sports 
Visual + performing arts (theatre, choir, music, photography, ceramics + more) 
50+ student-run clubs 
Student government led by a student mayor 
Residential life for boarding students

Student-led spirit is a big part of life at Indian Springs. Students get a say in shaping their school community and plenty of opportunities to discover what matters to them.

Then, there’s the campus.

“The campus is so beautiful, and it’s really easy to take it for granted when you see it every day. I hope people take time to walk around the lake, study outside and appreciate how much nature and wildlife we have right here on campus.”
Savannah Pigford

Experience Indian Springs at Preview Day, September 20, 2026

Students walk a campus path near Hess Porch, surrounded by lawns and trees at Indian Springs School

Three students with backpacks walk through an art-lined hallway toward exit doors at Indian Springs School

Indian Springs School's Town Hall building with curved entrance, cypress trees and flowering crape myrtles lining a walkway

_{Indian Springs School’s 350-acre campus features a lake, wooded trails, athletic fields and spaces designed for learning + creativity (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)}

If you’re exploring private schools in Birmingham, a campus visit tells you much more than skimming a website ever could.

Indian Springs School will welcome prospective students and families for its Fall 2026 Admission Preview Day.

Get the details: