Verde Valley School - Review #12

Verde Valley specializes in intercultural and international studies. A key aspect of the program are annual field trips to learn first hand about cultures other than one'sown or to study the natural environment. The field trips may be to mexico, to work with indian schools or a multitude of other options. Being able to follow your interests allow you to foster knowledge and skills in virtually any area that interests one. The students run much of the school as a student community. Weekly maintenance crews, landscaping, kitchen work, class room cleaning, admin assistance, all teach responsibility, team work and ownership.

The school saved me from the mediocrity of public education. It allowed me to explore my interests and be creative in ways I never could have in any other environment. If you wanted to explore some endeavor chances are you could find support for your dreams and pursue it. The school made the rest of my life possible and gave my a permanent place to call home and a network of friends for life.It gave me a love of languages and cultures that has served me throughout my international peripatetic career.

Don't worry. You'll love it. Don't do anything stupid that will get you kicked out because you'll regret it the rest of your life.

Everything. The physical environment, the people, the culture, the focus.

Enjoy. Climb all the mountains and swim in the creek.

The best part of academics at VVS was the small class size. Everyone participated. It wasn't possible to be ignored or to not be part of the class. The teachers were always there and available. The classes often interacted, one with the other and the classes in sociology, and anthropology were intriguing. The emphasis on gaining proficiency in a foreign language has served me throughout my life.

The emphasis was on enjoying sports. Soccer was the main event but basketball, horseback riding, trampoline, hiking, track and climbing were all available and actively participated in.

The school's theatre is beautiful. The students produced many events ranging from plays, dance, music and presentations by invited speakers on many subjects. I enjoyed and still vividly recall many of the films we saw in the weekly evening art cinema showings. The various films of Igmar Bergman and Satyajit Ray still reverberate in my mind.

The student government was great. We had weekly student body meetings run by the students to discuss issues. We ran the meetings according to Roberts Rules of Order. The meetings were substantive and real. Volunteer opportunities off campus existed mostly during project period or field trips and ranged from working in Indian schools to homeless shelters or migrant field laborers assistance.

The dorms were relaxed with private or shared rooms. Each dorm has a faculty house attached to the dorm for supervision. The dorms were located in different parts of the campus with the seniors having their own dorms and the underclass students there own. The rooms were of adequate size and comfortable. I never had any complaints except that you could hear your neighbors bit too well at times.

We had one common dinning hall for all students. The students took turns working as table waiters, dish washers, and kitchen assistants; usually two weeks per semester. The food was good and in adequate supply. Breakfast was buffet and lunch and dinner informal sitdown. The view of cathedral mountain from the dinning hall was awesome.

The surrounding area has changed a lot since I was there. It is much more developed. But Sedona is still beautiful. The surrounding mountains and environment is the most beautiful in the world. Weekly trips into town were available for whatever needs one might have but I preferred to explore the mountains and photograph the hills to trips into town.

The best description of the social life is that it is like having 120 brothers and sisters. You will make friends you will have for life. It is a community of friends.