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Before second semester began, VCHS faculty gathered at 4 Eagle Ranch for the day to vision and plan around one of our school’s strategic priorities – enhancing the school’s curriculum. We used the day as a kickoff to ensure our curriculum is mission-aligned, academically excellent, and defined through the lens of our newly published VCHS Portrait of a Graduate.
Rather than think of the VCHS curriculum as only the courses we offer, I challenged us to think more broadly using this definition of curriculum – “the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process” – the 3 Big As (Academics, Arts, Athletics) as well as Clubs and all other school experiences. And I challenged us to do it through the lens of ‘equipping spirit’ which we do through the Christian faith.
If you’re still reading, don’t yawn – at least not yet. Why? Because the above will set the stage for some very exciting future student learning experiences aligned with ‘purpose, service, and leadership.’ Like what? Let me share three that we’ll be working on over the next few months.
First, we will work to have our current and future courses better align with our mission. Although Advanced Placement courses will continue to be part of our curriculum, we are looking at diversifying our options to enhance and expand dual enrollment/concurrent and honors designation course options. Of course, we will continue to have high academic standards and prepare students for success in college and life. But we will be more intentional with Christian faith integration as we prepare students for lives of ‘purpose, service, and leadership’.
Second, we will work to create a more cohesive integration of current experiences (courses, arts, athletics, clubs, etc.) with new experiences. These experiences will span from 9th – 12th grade and scaffold in difficulty creating ‘signature’ or ‘rites of passage’ moments that will challenge students and help shape their purpose – what we’re referring to internally as helping each Saint ‘find your spark’ and to ‘fan that spark.’ At the moment we are calling it the VCHS 4-Year Challenge and are beginning conversations about what those experiences will be. It most likely will begin through a pilot program and be optional.
Third and finally, we will work to create what we are currently calling an Interim Week – a week during the school year, most likely during the second semester, when students will learn through experiences outside their normal classroom walls. Although it will look different, the week will resurrect a long-time VCHS tradition called ‘Mission Week’. Again, the major goal for that week will be to better equip our students for ‘lives of purpose, service, and leadership’ through transformational experiences.
Practically speaking, we see this coming to fruition over the course of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. The faculty are rolling up their sleeves to further dream and prepare for this exciting future – under the umbrella of our Christian faith and in sync with our vision for the future – one in which our graduates make the world a better place through their personal and professional lives.
Steve O'Neil
Head of School
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