Course Planning & Curriculum GuidE
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Course Planning
Incoming students work closely with our Academic Scheduler to ensure they are in the classes that best align with their abilities and goals. Each spring, students collaborate with their Faculty Advisor, teachers, and College Counselors to plan their courses for the following years.
Graduation Requirements
For graduation from VES, each student must complete the following courses:
- 4 English credits, to be completed such that students are enrolled in an English course every semester
- 3 History credits, including U.S. History
- 3 Math credits, chosen from Algebra I to Multivariable Calculus
- 3 Science credits, including Biology and either Chemistry or Physics
- 2 World Language credits
- 1 Fine Arts credit, not including ARCH courses
- .5 Religion credit
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Four Year Academic Planner
Each course is 1 credit unless otherwise noted; students are expected to be enrolled in 6 classes each semester (must be approved to take 5).
ARCH
All ninth graders are enrolled in ARCH. This collaborative course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to four, quarter-long subject areas that students can apply across their VES experience and future studies. 'A' stands for the Arts, which students engage with in the Introduction to the Arts course; 'R' stands for Reasoning, which is the focus of the Critical Thinking course; 'C' represents their study in Computer Science I; 'H' stands for Health and Life Skills. The ARCH course is a meaningful segment in the path of our ninth graders' high school experience.
advanced studies
Advanced Studies are available to seniors who have achieved the most advanced course in a discipline that VES offers and who want to explore that topic in greater depth. Students selected through the application process pursue a year-long study of their topic of interest, most often interdisciplinary in scope. They align with a faculty mentor, research and create their work, and set their own deadlines and goals. Their study culminates on Expo Day, a spring series of presentations to the VES community.