•    1962-63  Having been denied support from the county to form a public school, parents founded Vail Country Day School with four students.  Classes began in October 1962 and were held in an apartment above the Vail Delicatessen.

•    1963-64  Total enrollment reached 14 students.  Classes were held in Vail ski mountain founder Peter Seibert’s basement.

•    1964-65  The school was moved to the Vail Fire House and consisted of two large classrooms, a small library, a teacher’s office, and a bathroom. 

•    1967-68  Vail Country Day was re-located from the firehouse to the top floor of the Vail Clinic Building. 

•    1968-69  Eagle County absorbed kindergarten through 6th grade students in an elementary school at the clinic.  Older Vail Country Day students were relocated to the Bank of Vail building in Crossroads.

•    1970-71  Vail Country Day began the year at the Tivoli Lodge then moved to Lionshead Center.

•    1971-72  Classes were moved to the Vail Associates Conference Room in the Lionshead Gondola Terminal Building.

•    1972-73  Vail Country Day held its first annual Kitchen Tour. Now the Home Tour is a yearly tradition.

•    1973-74  Vail Country Day became Vail Mountain School (VMS).

•    1974-75  VMS officially moved into its new home, the farm house, at the base of old Meadow Mountain in Minturn.  Vail Associates issued the school a 5-year lease on the property.

•    1975-76  Vail Mountain School held its first graduation for four students on May 22, 1976.

•    1976-77  VMS boasted its largest enrollment ever with 112 students.  Peter Abuisi was hired to direct the activities of the lower and middle schools.  VMS hosted an Auction and Dinner Party called “The Desperation Derby” to meet payroll. The event has evolved into a yearly tradition, a holiday gala in support of operating expenses.

•    1977-78  Peter Abuisi was named Headmaster.

•    1978-79  Construction began for the new school building on the Booth Creek seven-acre parcel that was given to the school by Vail Associates.  100% of the 1979 graduating class had immediate college plans.

•    1979-80  Vail Mountain School’s permanent home was completed.  107 students attended grades 1-12 at the new campus.  11 seniors graduated in May.

•    1980-81  The Baldauf House, an original homesteader cabin built in 1906, was restored for use by the school.  Vail Mountain School was awarded membership in the Association of Colorado Independent Schools. 

•    1981-82  Vail Mountain School was awarded membership in the National Association of Independent Schools.  Students and staff hosted their first Winter Carnival.

•    1984-85  Vail Mountain School extended its programming to incorporate kindergarten.  An expansion to campus housed a specially designed kindergarten classroom, math center, computer lab, conference room, and kitchenette.  There were 12 kindergarten students.

•    1989-90  A Campus Center with a gym, locker rooms, and a stage was built.

•    1992-93  Needing more space, the attic of the school building was converted to a third floor for additional classrooms, office space, and work areas.

•    1993- 94  Vail Mountain School completed its first Strategic Plan.

•    1995-96  The school expanded its library. Volumes totaled 10,034 in May and by October, volumes had increased to 11,292. 

•    1999-2000  Vail Mountain School conducted its second Strategic Plan, resulting in a decision to expand the school on the East Vail property. 

•    2002-03  A $26 million Capital Campaign to fund the new campus was initiated.  Vail Resorts donated the land east of Katsos Ranch Road to Vail Mountain School.  The Homesteader Cabin was relocated to the northwest corner of campus.  In April 2003, ground was broken for the new campus.  Total enrollment reached 253 students.

•    2003-04  The first phase of construction, including the relocation of the cabin, the construction of the synthetic soccer field, and the realignment of Katsos Ranch road was completed by July 2003.  The school had 15,343 library volumes.  Enrollment grew by ten students from the previous year to reach 263.

•    2004-05  The second phase of construction was completed for school opening August 2004.  The second phase consisted of the art rooms, computer lab, music rooms, classrooms, theater, library, and the Common.  The increased room allowed enrollment to expand to 315 students. 26 seniors graduated in May.

•    2005-06  The third phase of construction was ready for school opening September 2005 and included a new kindergarten room, dining room, gymnasium, and playground.  The new campus was dedicated on September 23, 2005. The third Strategic Plan was started November 2005.  Enrollment reached 331 students, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Library volumes reached 16,194.

•    2006-2007  The VMS community commemorated the Homesteader Cabin’s 100th anniversary. Enrollment reached 355 students.

•    2007-2008  VMS celebrated its 45th anniversary and undertakes a re-accreditation by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools.

•    2012-2013  VMS will celebrate its 50th anniversary!