Upper School
Hero
In the Upper School, students are encouraged to take ownership of their education—academically, socially, and ethically.
Guided by expert faculty, Upper School students are challenged to think deeply across disciplines, articulate ideas with precision, and apply analytical reasoning to complex problems. Students engage in a rigorous liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking, clear and persuasive writing, and strong mathematical competence.
This foundation of academic rigor—paired with a culture that values integrity, curiosity, and balance—prepares VMS graduates not only for success in college, but for a lifetime of thoughtful engagement and leadership.
Our Philosophy
Personalized Academics, Purposeful Growth
The Upper School is designed to meet students where they are—and challenge them to go further. With a wide selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and academic electives, students can pursue subjects they love while building the skills and stamina to succeed at the college level.
For a small school, VMS offers a remarkable range of courses. Our size allows us to be nimble—continually enhancing, updating, and expanding our already strong curriculum. Each year, new English and History offerings reflect both faculty creativity and student curiosity, ensuring that learning stays fresh, relevant, and engaging.
We ask our students to do more than simply check the boxes. They are challenged to think critically about their learning, respond thoughtfully to new ideas, and collaborate with one another in meaningful ways. Faculty serve as mentors, fostering relationships that support each student’s intellectual and personal growth.
Through experiences like the senior capstone project, students learn to navigate ambiguity, take initiative, and lead their own growth—skills that serve them well in college and in life. With individualized guidance from teachers and college counselors, students graduate from VMS not only well-prepared, but self-aware and ready to make meaningful contributions to the world.
Homebase: The Heart of Upper School Life
At the center of each school day is Homebase—a daily meeting with a small group of peers and a dedicated faculty advisor. These gatherings offer students time to reflect, plan, and connect in a supportive, family-like environment.
Homebase goes beyond academic advising. It’s where students build character through open, real-world conversations—often called “dinner table discussions”—on topics that range from ethical dilemmas to personal values.
Advisors serve as mentors, advocates, and points of connection between students, teachers, and parents. They stay in touch with every aspect of a student’s life, helping to guide decision-making and foster self-awareness.
By Upper School, students are expected to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and development. Homebase advisors walk alongside them in this journey—not to give answers, but to ask the right questions, helping students grow in independence, resilience, and integrity.
Athletics & Snow Sports Athlete Program
Athletics at VMS are an extension of the classroom, fostering teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship, and integrity. With programs designed to support student growth on and off the field, all participants benefit from an inclusive and character-driven environment.
VMS also offers flexible support for students with significant outside commitments through our Snow Sports Athlete Program. Through proactive communication between students, parents, and teachers, students are empowered to excel in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Our formal academic partnership with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) and a dedicated Snow Sports Athlete Program Manager to help ensure that student-athletes stay on track while competing and training.
Experiential Learning
Interdisciplinary, place-based, and real-world learning are core elements of the Upper School experience. Whether collecting data in the field, visiting a super fun mining site, or conducting research for a Senior Project, students are challenged to explore real-world questions with curiosity and independence.
Experiential learning is woven into our curriculum, even our AP courses, using our local environment and community to cultivate self-reliance, collaboration, and environmental awareness.
For example, students in Advanced Spanish through Service Learning volunteer with local preschools and nonprofits, using language skills to build meaningful community connections. In Environmental Chemistry, students visit nearby mines and mills to study environmental cycles and the impact of human activity on local ecosystems. And in Myth and Legend, students meet with local senior citizens to explore storytelling, perspective, and the ways narratives shape culture and identity.
Arts
Upper School students at VMS engage deeply in both visual and performing arts. Visual arts courses span drawing, painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and design, with students building on foundational techniques toward more advanced, independent work.
Those pursuing intensive study can enroll in Portfolio Development, AP Art & Design, or propose a Senior Project.
In the performing arts, students may choose theatre, instrumental ensemble, or music appreciation.
Through exploration and performance, students build skills, confidence, and creative voice.
As students progress from ninth through twelfth grade, their artistic growth is profound. What begins as curiosity and experimentation evolves into mastery, personal expression, and a confident sense of creative identity.
We want students to see Intraterm not as a trip, but as a rigorous, purposeful course.”
Liana Sideli, Director of Outdoor Education
Intraterm
Intraterm is a beloved VMS tradition, a one-week “term between terms” each February that invites Upper School students to dive into immersive, unconventional topics.
Courses are often faculty-designed and student-driven, allowing space for creative exploration beyond the traditional curriculum. Faculty share personal passions and areas of expertise, while students engage in meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
Many offerings include travel or field-based components—from Costa Rica language immersion to avalanche safety and marine science—broadening students’ perspectives and deepening their connection to the world around them.
Cross-Age Community
The VMS campus is intentionally designed to encourage interaction across grade levels, with Lower, Middle, and Upper School classrooms situated side by side. These daily encounters create natural opportunities for connection and mentorship.
Signature programs like the Senior/Kindergarten Buddy tradition build meaningful relationships across age groups through shared activities—from ski days to nature walks—culminating in a symbolic rose ceremony at graduation.
Other cross-age traditions include mixed-grade lunches, Field Day, and All-School Ski Day. These connections cultivate empathy, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging within the community.
Technology & Innovation
Upper School students use technology not just to consume, but to create. From coding apps to designing 3D models, they develop technical skills through hands-on, collaborative projects that reflect their interests.
Students bring their own laptops and use tools like Schoology and Google Workspace to stay organized and connected. Digital citizenship is built into the curriculum, with ethics explored in Homebase, a 9th Grade Digital Ethics Course, and programming from The Social Institute.
A fully equipped Makerspace and media lab—with iMacs, Adobe Creative Cloud, 3D printers, and more—support coursework in computer science, animation, and design, helping students express ideas in innovative, purposeful ways.