LEARNING ELEVATED
The Campaign for Vail Mountain School
VISION
Educating and elevating humans for good.
MISSION
We inspire tomorrow’s ethical leaders by developing character, seeking knowledge, and building a community of lifelong learners from the heart of the Colorado mountains to the world beyond.
LEARNING without LIMITS
For over 60 years, we have been reimagining education—not as a destination, but as a journey of continuous discovery, purpose, and impact. At Vail Mountain School, we create transformative learning opportunities that prepare students for a lifetime of learning, leading, and acting as responsible global citizens. We develop leaders, the kind who make a lasting impact on the world. Leaders who are intellectually curious, ethically grounded, and prepared to transform the world.
Our approach is intentional and transformative. Through challenging academics, immersive experiential learning, and a profound connection to our natural environment, we develop young people who don’t just learn about the world—they learn to lead in it. We’re committed to innovative learning that bridges classroom knowledge with real-world challenges, in a community that connects students ages 5 to 18. At the heart of our work, we cultivate integrity, empathy, purpose, and a profound appreciation for our natural environment. At VMS, we believe our graduates can respond to our world’s most pressing needs and will inspire its most hopeful dreams. To ensure our future success, we must continue to innovate, impact, and invest in what we do best—EDUCATING AND ELEVATING HUMANS FOR GOOD.
The Learning Elevated Campaign will support key initiatives in our Strategic Plan:
Pillar 1 | Establish the Center for Environmental Stewardship and Ethical Leadership
Pillar 2 | Expand Access and Opportunity
Pillar 3 | Elevate Academic Excellence
THINK BIG & BE BOLD
We are at an important moment. The world is changing faster than ever—technology evolves daily, and global challenges grow more complex. What the world needs now are leaders who don’t just follow the path, but forge new ones—leaders who meet uncertainty with courage, think critically, and act with purpose. Our students are becoming those leaders.
This isn’t just about preparing for what’s ahead—it’s about shaping it. While many schools focus on understanding the world, we empower students to make a difference in it. Rooted in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies and attuned to global challenges, our approach nurtures thoughtful, bold individuals.
Today, we have a powerful chance to amplify this mission. By investing in Vail Mountain School, you are supporting more than education— you’re helping unlock potential, spark innovation, and nurture the next generation of trailblazers.
THE TIME IS NOW. OUR STUDENTS ARE READY. ARE YOU?
My time at Vail Mountain School instilled a deep sense of responsibility to give back. The school taught me the importance of contributing to something greater than myself.”
~’78 alumna
ESTABLISH THE CENTER for ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP & ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
Center for Environmental Stewardship and Ethical Leadership
A beacon of inspired learning, the Center will foster a deep understanding of environmental stewardship and ethical leadership. With two unique physical spaces—a wilderness hut in the Rocky Mountains and the renovated historic Baldauf cabin on campus—the Center will provide immersive, hands-on experiences that connect students with nature, history, and civic engagement. Under the guidance of a full-time Director, the Center will provide curriculum and programs for Vail Mountain School students and other schools, fostering environmental stewardship and ethical leadership beyond traditional classroom boundaries. By creating a hub for environmental and ethical education, the Center will not only enhance the educational experience at VMS but also contribute to a broader culture of sustainability and ethical leadership.
Emily Franciose Outdoor Learning Fund
Tragically killed in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps, VMS student Emily embodied a life lived to the fullest. Her passion for backcountry skiing grew through the school’s hut trips, orientation adventures, and the Tele Team. Known for her warmth, laughter, and generosity, Emily is deeply missed. The Emily Franciose Outdoor Learning Fund, established in her memory, supports our outdoor and environmental education programs, with a vision to create a backcountry hut in her honor, ensuring her legacy inspires future generations.
Pillar 2 EXPAND ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY
With $10 million in funding, the new Academic Excellence Endowment could support approximately 25 students with 50% of tuition support.
Increasing the school’s current endowment by $5 million will provide an additional $225,000 in financial assistance for need-based awards.
Costs beyond tuition, including things like Intraterm, athletics, and other extracurriculars for an Upper School student can range from $500 to $3,500 and are currently not funded through the financial aid program.
As the only independent school in the valley, Vail Mountain School draws students from 8 zip codes and a 40-mile radius. Expanding transportation opportunities will remove a significant barrier for many prospective students and families.
Pillar 3 ELEVATE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Investing $6-$8 million for construction of six to eight units (2-3 bedrooms each) on campus will provide needed housing for faculty, particularly those with families.
Development of the new facilities will offer a learning opportunity for students about eco-friendly design and construction.
Contributing $3 million to our Endowment for Faculty Support will increase funding for faculty professional development and compensation support by nearly $125,000 annually.
Significantly increasing our endowment will ensure that Vail Mountain School continues to recognize the invaluable contributions of faculty through competitive compensation as well as recruit and retain high caliber educators and staff.
“
The community at VMS led to lifelong friendships and an ongoing connection to Vail Valley. I always feel like I am coming home.”
~’85 alumnus
With $10 million in funding, the new Academic Excellence Endowment could support approximately 25 students with 50% of tuition support.
Increasing the school’s current endowment by $5 million will provide an additional $225,000 in financial assistance for needbased awards.
Costs beyond tuition for an Upper School student can range from $500 to $3,500 and are currently not funded through the financial aid program.
Our INVESTMENT
More than a financial commitment, this $30 million campaign is a profound investment in human potential. Every dollar drives strategic aims, transforming abstract goals into tangible opportunities for students, educators, and our broader community.
INNOVATE AND ENHANCE:
$3M-$4M CAPITAL, $5M ENDOWMENT
• Establishing the Center for Environmental Stewardship and Ethical Leadership
• Developing innovative, project-based learning experiences
• Creating spaces that inspire experiential education
• Integrating cutting-edge curriculum development
IMPACT AND AMPLIFY:
$1M CAPITAL, $10M-$15M ENDOWMENT
• Expanding financial accessibility
• Developing comprehensive scholarship programs
• Creating transportation solutions to remove geographical barriers
• Broadening student recruitment nationally and internationally
INVEST AND STEWARD:
$4M-$6M CAPITAL, $3M ENDOWMENT
• Recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty
• Developing on-campus faculty housing
• Providing competitive compensation and professional development
• Strengthening community partnerships
“
Give of yourself for a greater common good. History is made by those who show up.”
~’98 alumnus
Investing $6-8 million for construction of six to eight units (2-3 bedrooms each) on campus will provide needed housing for faculty, particularly those with families.
Development of the new facilities will offer a learning opportunity for students about eco-friendly design and construction.
Contributing $3 million to our Endowment for Faculty Support will increase funding for faculty professional development and support by nearly $125,000 annually.
OUR CALL to ACTION
25 years ago, a group of visionary parents and educators looked beyond the immediate horizon and imagined something extraordinary. They saw more than a school—they envisioned a transformative educational ecosystem nestled in the Colorado Rockies. With courage, determination, and remarkable generosity, they launched a $26 million campaign that would become the physical and philosophical foundation of Vail Mountain School.
Today, that legacy of leadership lives in every student who walks our halls, every graduate who ventures into the world to create meaningful change. Our alumni are not just career professionals—they are ethical leaders, environmental stewards, innovative thinkers, and compassionate global citizens.
This campaign is our next chapter of leadership—an invitation to continue a 60-year tradition of transformative education. Your investment is not just in a school. It is an investment in human potential. In ethical leadership. In a future we can collectively imagine and courageously create.
JOIN US IN EDUCATING AND ELEVATING HUMANS FOR GOOD, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.
Learning Elevated: The Campaign for Vail Mountain School
OUR FUTURE is NOW
At VMS I was able to become a better version of myself by taking advantage of the amazing resources the school has to offer, especially the relationships one builds.” ~’24 graduate
