Granderson Research Academy is an independent research and data science thesis program for high-achieving high school students who want to engage in college-level research. Students begin by formulating a research question and testable hypothesis, grounded in existing academic literature. They learn how to identify appropriate data sources, define units of analysis, and operationalize variables.

Throughout the program, students work hands-on with real-world datasets, learning data cleaning, exploratory analysis, and statistical reasoning using professional analytical tools. Students conduct descriptive analysis, visualize distributions, and apply inferential methods such as chi-square tests, mean comparisons, and multivariate regression models to evaluate their hypotheses.

Emphasis is placed on interpreting results substantively, understanding limitations, and distinguishing correlation from causal inference.

Each student produces a full thesis-style research paper that includes a literature review, research design, data and methods section, results, and discussion. The program culminates in a formal research conference where students present their findings and defend their methodology. By the end of the program, students leave with a polished, technically rigorous writing sample to attach to college applications that demonstrates advanced critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and the ability to conduct independent scholarly research—skills typically developed only at the college or honors-program level.