A day in the life

A day in our Studios is creativity within constraints: large blocks of time for work and play with clear but broad guardrails, equipping young people to manage their time, set goals, and track progress.

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Daily Schedule

Each day is broken up into work sprints with a shared purpose or goal.

  • 8:30
  • Drop-off / Free Time
  • 9:15
  • Morning Launch (Socratic Discussion, setting the expectations for the day)
  • 9:45
  • Snack
  • 10:00
  • Outside time
  • 10:30
  • Equipping Launch (Goal Setting)
  • 10:45
  • Core Skills time (Math, Reading, Writing Workshop, STEM, History “Brain Breaks throughout)
  • 11:30
  • Quest Work
  • 12:00
  • Lunch/Studio Maintenance
  • 12:45
  • Outside
  • 2:00
  • Snack
  • 2:15
  • Quest Work or D.E.A.R
  • 3:00
  • Studio Maintenance
  • 3:15
  • Town Hall
  • 3:30
  • Pick Up

The schedule is flexible to accommodate different learning needs. Students can rearrange work blocks and choose from a variety of work options based on personal goals, passions, and commitments.

Krestlyn McMichael

“We absolutely love the learning environment that has been provided for our community. It has been amazing to see the growth from our child. We love the “family” our academy has built.”

– Krestlyn McMichael

Sam Blethen

“Love the small class and focus on each child’s strengths”

Sam Blethen

Caitlin Caldwell

“Our son LOVES everything about school, and we have seen a huge improvement in his writing/reading skills and more importantly an improvement in his interest in writing and reading.”

– Caitlin Caldwell

Mika Poulos

“It’s been great to see the growth of our daughter since she started in Aug. It is clear she brings home what she learns and uses it outside of school. The fact that she doesn’t want it to be weekends, she would rather go to school is a great sign of how she is enjoying it.”

– Mika Poulos

Cassie Boca

“It’s the right environment for independent children that are self motivated”

– Cassie Boca

Carmen Eubanks

“VVU is a different structure which I love and agree with. Kids appreciate school and learning when things aren’t so set and they have control giving them power and CHOICES!”

– Carmen Eubanks

Nancy Kosloff

“It is an exhilarating and exciting experience! My daughter enrolled this year as a kindergarten. It is amazing to see her thriving in her new environment. She gets up every morning enthusiastic and eager to go to school.”

– Nancy Kosloff

Dennis McMahon

“VVU is a more holistic approach to education that better aligns with modern society and our family’s priorities”

-Dennis McMahon

Sarah Hortsmann

“I love the philosophy and think it is giving kids agency and accountability and power over the education”

-Sarah Hortsmann

David McMichael

“The learning environment, progress our son has made, and overall plan they have implemented gives me confidence in the education he is receiving.”

-David McMichael

A Learner-Driven Community

Our young heroes learn in tightly bound communities with extremely high standards of excellence, where self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily.

  1. Learners create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.
  2. Running Partners and Squads encourage younger and older heroes to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.
  3. Servant Leader badges celebrate warm-hearted and tough-minded decisions that build character.

Begin your Family's Journey

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