College Counseling Profile

develop character seek knowledge build community

Upper School Hut to Hut Orientation Trip

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Philosophy & Community Founded in 1962, Vail Mountain School (VMS) is a K-12, coeducational, college preparatory, independent school in Vail, Colorado. Our philosophy is to provide a demanding liberal arts education in an atmosphere of mutual trust between faculty and students, where nurturing a healthy self-concept and stimulating academic inquiry are parallel objectives. To that end, students begin each day in their “Homebase” engaging in conversations designed to strengthen community, instill character, and teach ethics.

Our upper school program ensures that students have the skills and confidence to thrive in the college environment, leveraging the breadth and depth of interests represented by our faculty. As a result of our rapport-driven environment, students are excited to show up early, happy to stay late, and eager to learn more. Abundant opportunities for interaction between students of all ages promote role modeling, responsibility, self confidence, and a sense of community. Students feel safe–socially, emotionally and physically–and consequently, take the measured risks necessary to support high academic achievement, succeed in athletics, develop passion, and build character.

VMS is situated in the Rocky Mountains on the ancestral homelands of the Ute Peoples who originally stewareded the land coined “shining mountains”. Our breathtaking location is given the utmost respect by integrating the outdoors into the academic and culatural fabric of the school. As an example, Upper School students participate in three-day outdoor leadership orientation trips at the beginning of each year where students create bonds, accept responsibilities, demonstrate good citizenship, and develop respect for the environment. The result: a quiet confidence that serves our graduates well in college–confidence to assert themselves in their first college level essays; to raise their hand in a class of hundreds; to live on their own for the first time, to meet with and engage their professors; and to lead among their peers.

Accreditation The school is accredited by the Colorado State Department of Education and maintains membership in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling (RMACAC), and the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS). Vail Mountain School complies with the revised NACAC Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP) as well as their Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.

COVID-19 Statement In March 2020, the mid-way point of 2nd semester, VMS transitioned to remote learning with the guarantee that every student had access to high-speed internet at home. On a rotating daily class schedule, synchronous classes were offered in combination with asynchronous learning for a total of 9 weeks. Due to VMS’s ability to deliver a quality on-line education to a small, closeknit, rapport driven community, students continued to be evaluated using the same grading scale and carried a full academic program to the conclusion of the school year on May 29th. The only change was the elimination of a final exam - though not a culminating course experience, nor AP exams. Grade data was analyzed for transparency of grade integrity as well as for equity and fairness. For the Class of 2021, the grade 11 mean unweighted/weighted GPA is 3.49/3.58, denoting only a natural upward trend in comparison to the reported cumulative mean GPA (see Grade Point Average).The counselor recommendation will communicate any significant academic and/or personal impact for a particular student. Seniors are also empowered to share their truth, experience related to the pandemic in their applications. The VMS community has returned to our building for in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year.

Academic Calendar

>> Semester system. Grades are issued at the conclusion of each term (early January, late May). A mid-semester progress/grade report for all seniors will be available for college admission purposes. Evaluative statements by course instructors accompany student quarterly progress/grade reports.

Graduation Requirements

>> Completion of a deeply-introspective college search process resulting in acceptance to a four-year college >> 4 years English, history, science, math, and Intraterm; 3 consecutive yrs. of a world language or 2 yrs. each of 2 languages or completion of AP level >> Completion of Senior Project during the second semester of senior year >> Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Technology Department requirements >> Participation in interscholastic sports or fitness each year

Course Load

>> All courses are college preparatory; students take five core academic courses for four years. Only students in grades 10-12 may take AP courses. >> Students receive instruction for 250 minutes per academic course on a rotating, 6-day schedule with an average of 2-3 hours of homework each evening. >> Electives are offered 1-4 times per week, each quarter/semester, to provide students with additional enrichment, as well as college culture and life-prep skills. >> Community service is a central component of the curriculum and nearly 100% of our students volunteer their time. >> Students may take up to three Advanced Placement courses in grade 11 and three in grade 12. Enrolling in two or three AP courses in one year is considered a “most demanding” program. >> Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the corresponding AP exam(s) in May. >> In addition to gaining AP course registration approval, students are encouraged to consider interests and strengths over sheer number of APs alone. >> VMS is committed to providing an intellectual environment that stretches well beyond testing success.

Vail Mountain School at a Glance Upper School Enrollment..................................................170

Class of 2021......................................................................38

5 yr. Avg. Applications Submitted Per Senior..................................6

Student/Faculty Ratio.........................................................8:1 Families on Tuition Assistance........................................ 34%

Average Class Size..............................................................13 Annual Tuition Assistance Budget........................$2.1 Million

Upper School Tuition...........................................................$30,900 Average Tuition Assistance Award......................................$13,607

5 yr. % of Seniors Submitting ED App............................. 32%

5 yr. % of Seniors Matriculating Outside CO................. ..73%

5 yr. % of Graduates Transferring After 1st Year of College.......10%

Standardized Testing

>> ACT 5 yr. average: middle 50% composite 25-30; mean 27 (not superscored) >> 75 Upper School students in grades 10, 11 and 12 took 131 AP exams in May 2020. >> Among 12 different AP exams, 82% of scores are a 3 or better; 50% of scores are 4s and 5s. >> For the Class of 2021, 83% of scores are 3 or better; 56% of scores are 4s and 5s. >> For the Class of 2021, 34 of 38 students enrolled in APs with each taking an average of 3.7 APs over the course of their Upper School career at VMS.

Vail Mountain School Curriculum GRADE 9

GRADE 10

GRADE 11

ENGLISH

Foundations in Grammar and Literature: Coming of Age

British & World Literature: Identity Upper Level American Literature: Journeys; AP English Literature

WORLD LANGUAGES

Mandarin I; Mandarin II; Mandarin III; Mandarin IV; Mandarin V; Spanish I; Spanish II; Spanish III; Spanish IV; Cultural Spanish; AP Spanish Language

HISTORY

World History I: Power & Geopolitics

World History II: Conflict & Resolution; AP World History

SCIENCE

Foundations in Chemistry & Physics

Biology; Accelerated Chemistry/Cellular & Molecular Biology; Advanced Chemistry; Human Anatomy & Physiology; Engineering & Technology (offered every other year); AP Environmental Science; AP Chemistry (offered every other year); AP Biology; AP Physics C

MATHEMATICS

Geometry; Algebra I; Algebra II; Algebra II/Trigonometry; Trig/Intro to Pre-Calculus; Advanced Pre-Calculus; Statistics; AP Statistics; Calculus; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Introduction to Computer Science (2017-18); AP Computer Science Principles (2017-18); AP Computer Science A (2019-20); Science & Engineering (offered 2017-18); Engineering & Technology (offered every other year); Design a Sustainable Planet (offered 2020-2021); iPhone App Programming (offered 2020-2021); Programming Games with Unity (offered 2020-2021)

ART OR MUSIC MAJOR

Foundation Studio

US History; AP US History

GRADE 12 Seminars: In Love & War; Voices Around the World; Fiction to Film; Senior Project (2nd semester)

Seminars: Human Geography; Applied Ethics; Vietnam War: A Cultural & Political Legacy; Senior Project (2nd semester)

)one semester, all students)

AP Studio Art; Painting; Fiber Arts; Ceramics; Mixed Media; Drawing; Photography; Sculpture; Senior Portfolio; AP Music Theory; Instrumental Ensemble; History of Music; Music Theory Songwriting; Dance Theatre Performance; Theatre Dance; Standard Theatre Production/Performance; Musical Theatre Production/Performance; Tiny House

PERSONAL GROWTH & ETHICS

Ethics & Character; Relationships & Sex Education; Technology & Information Literacy

Life Skills and Financial Literacy; Public Speaking; Personal Inventory & Interpretation

ATHLETICS

VMS offers: alpine skiing, basketball; cross country; climbing; golf; lacrosse (boys); Nordic skiing; soccer; telemark skiing; tennis; and volleyball (girls). There are no spring 2020 and fall 2020 CHSAA athletics due to COVID-19.

LEADERSHIP

VMS students take pride and ownership in offering formal and informal ethical leadership training and modeling through the Student Leadership Board.

SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning is integrated into the VMS curriculum in all grades and ties directly to the three core values in our mission to develop character, seek knowledge, build community. Students and faculty regularly volunteer at Loaves & Fishes soup kitchen, and Habitat for Humanity, along with other various and timely initiatives. In addition, students lead Philanthropy Service Group designed to encourage leadership through service to others.

INTRATERM

Intraterm is a week-long program led by faculty and staff during which students choose a course of study designed to enrich the traditional curriculum and the student’s intellectual curiosity. Course titles from previous years include: Island Ecology in Baja Sur, Mexico; New Orleans: Coastline Restoration & Cultural Exploration; Hawaiian Cultural & Historical Exploration on the Big Island; Morocco: The Crossroads of Islam; China: Diversity, Ethnicity & Identity of Yunnan; Snow Science and Winter Safety; Thailand: Human Ecology; Digital Detox; Technology & Innovation in the Bay Area; College Road Trip; Costa Rica Immersion; Wilderness, Water & Conservation; Psychology & Film; Architecture & Design

SENIOR PROJECT

All seniors complete a graded, one credit capstone project replacing their history and English classes during the second semester of senior year. An experience in true project based learning, seniors work with small cohorts to ideate, create, research, exhibit, write and present at Academic Symposium in May. Students are encouraged to follow their interests and passions by studying a topic of choice. Shadow days, expert interviews and internships will play a role in the projects. Real-life, authentic learning opportunities will be integrated into all projects.

A sample of past projects include: Archeology of a Shipwreck completed by a student who spent two summers as an intern with the National Park Service mapping and interpreting a shipwreck; The Incidence of Post Mastectomy Reconstruction Complications after Radiation Therapy at High Altitude authored by a student who later studied pre-med in college; Holography Train, which involved building a laboratory and creating a portfolio of holograms; and Remembering Those Who Lived, Died, and Survived, the Holocaust, which was created as an anthology of mini biographies and then presented on stage in the relative time period.

SENIOR SEMINAR: LIVING ETHICALLY AFTER GRADUATION

All seniors participate in a year long seminar designed to help students transition to the independence of life in college and beyond.

The curriculum will delve into advanced discussion and presentations on topics such as cultural competencies, identity development, homesickness, sexual health, consent and Title IX, mental health and suicide prevention, self-defense, stress management, the law as an adult, higher education resources, self-advocacy.

4x per week Not all majors are offered each year

Term courses 1x per week

(one semester, all students)

Functional Design & Innovation

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity; Mindfulness, Meditation, and Health; Senior Project Ideation

Senior Seminar: Living Ethically After Graduation

Grade Point Average >> Vail Mountain School uses a 4.0 grading scale; students are not ranked. >> Advanced Placement classes are weighted 1.1% and the weight is only reflected in the grade point average. >> Courses in the Art Major, Music Major, and Theatre Major (semester-long) are graded and included in the grade point average. Students may earn a mark of High Pass, Pass, Marginal Pass, or Fail for elective courses, except for intraterm and fitness as they are graded either Pass or Fail.

>> The class of 2021’s unweighted/weighted mean GPA after completing grade 11 is 3.47/3.5 and the unweighted/weighted median GPA is 3.55/3.60.

It is rare to have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 4.0 due to the rigorous nature of the coursework at VMS. A..................93–100..................(4.00) B-.................80-82.....................(2.67) A-.................90-92.....................(3.67) C+................77-79.....................(2.33) B+................87-89.....................(3.33) C..................73-76.....................(2.00) B..................83-86.....................(3.00) C-................. 70-72....................(1.67)

D+.................. 67-69..................... (1.33) D..................... 65-66..................... (1.00) F..................... below..................... 65

Portrait of a VMS Graduate DEVELOP CHARACTER

SEEK KNOWLEDGE

BUILD COMMUNITY

>> VMS graduates speak articulately, respectfully, and confidently to all members of the community.

>> VMS graduates find joy in learning, in thinking open mindedly, and in exploring areas that are important to them.

>> VMS graduates appreciate the natural world around them as they thrive in the surrounding mountain environment.

>> VMS graduates respect knowledge; however, they also question doctrine in order to find their own answers to life’s questions.

>> VMS graduates are kind and considerate to people of all ages, exemplified by relationships with their younger peers.

>> VMS graduates work well both independently and collaboratively in order to achieve personal and group success.

>> VMS graduates recognize that their education provides them the opportunity and skills to serve a public purpose both locally and globally.

>> VMS graduates understand and employ empathy, recognize different perspectives, and see the value of diversity in the world. >> VMS graduates are guided by an ethical framework and a strong ethical code, providing them with integrity in the face of challenges and injustices. >> VMS graduates possess strong self-advocacy skills and have the courage to ask for help, not for the answer. >> VMS graduates take responsibility for the consequences of their actions and behaviors both in and out of school.

>> VMS graduates utilize strong executive functioning skills.

>> VMS graduates approach life’s challenges with perseverance and grit.

College Enrollment 2016-2020 American University Arizona State University - Tempe Baldwin Wallace University Bard College Bard College - Berlin Bates College (2) Baylor University Boston University Bowdoin College Bucknell University Buena Vista University California Lutheran University Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo (6) Chapman University (2) Clark University Colby College (2) Colgate University College of Charleston Colorado College (2) Colorado Mesa University (2) Colorado School of Mines (2) Colorado State University (4) Cornell College Dartmouth College (7) Elon University (2)

Emory University-Oxford Endicott College FIDM – Los Angeles Franklin & Marshall College Full Sail University Georgetown University George Washington University (2) Georgia Institute of Technology Gustavus Adolphus College Indiana University - Bloomington Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Lehigh University Loyola University - Chicago Loyola University - New Orleans (2) McGill University Miami University – Oxford Middlebury College Montana State University - Bozeman (5) The New School (4) New York University (3) Northeastern University (2) Northwestern University Occidental college Ohio State University

Pepperdine University Regis University (2) Rensselaer Polytechnic University Rhode Island School of Design Richmond, The American Int’l University - London Rocky Mountain College Saint Michael’s College Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design (2) School of the Art Institute of Chicago Scripps College Southern Methodist University (3) St. Edward’s University St. Lawrence University St. Olaf College Stanford University Suffolk University Swarthmore College Syracuse University (2) Texas A&M University Trinity College Union College (2) Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara University of Arizona (2) University of British Columbia

University of California - Berkeley (3) University of Chicago University of Colorado - Boulder (22) University of Denver (6) University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Massachusetts - Amherst University of Miami University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Montana - Missoula University of Notre Dame University of Puget Sound (3) University of San Diego (2) University of San Francisco (2) University of Southern California (4) University of Texas – Austin (2) University of Vermont University of Wyoming Wake Forest University Vanderbilt University Western Washington University Wheaton College Williams College

Head of School Michael Imperi

3000 Booth Falls Road, Vail, Colorado 81657 (970) 476-3850 Phone (970) 476-3860 Fax ACT/CEEB School Code: 061384 www.vms.edu

Director of Upper School Maggie Pavlik

Director of College Counseling Marisa Ferrara

Registrar Vali Wilcox