VES is a co-ed college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades 9 – 12. In our intentionally small, diverse and engaging community—260 young men and women and 40 faculty—we guide students to strive Toward Full Stature in their academic, ethical, spiritual and personal growth.
Distinct from many schools, VES views college counseling as a valuable four-year journey. We invite you to learn about our purposefully planned program as it unfolds year by year.
Here, even our freshmen are engaged in relevant topics in the realm of college admissions. The knowledge they gain at this early stage helps them make intelligent academic and co-curricular decisions that keep doors open as they grow and discover their best options beyond our campus. Our program builds as students rise to each new grade level, ensuring that by the time they are second semester juniors and throughout their senior year, they are successfully managing their individual college selection and application process, guided by our expert college counselors.
What Parents Say
The VES College Counseling program alone is worth having your student attend this great school!
See How Our College Counseling Program Unfolds by Grade Level
Freshman Year: Finding Your Niche and Carving It Out
Ninth grade marks a significant transition for students. While we are cautious about over-emphasizing college admissions at this stage of their high school career, many of our students have early thoughts set on highly selective colleges. We believe it is important that they understand the expectations they will need to meet to be competitive at those schools and others.
Our focus is on 1) providing basic information about what colleges will be looking for when they apply in three years, and 2) helping students to recognize and capitalize on their own unique strengths early in their high school career.
Topics addressed by College Counseling in 9th grade:
The high school transcript (every year matters!)
The importance of building relationships with teachers
Question and answer sessions to address topics of interest to the class
9th Grade Parents Coffee (in the spring), live-streamed/recorded for parents who can’t attend
Topics addressed through 9th grade Student Life meetings and the Intro to VES course:
Study skills—best practices using brain science
Goal-setting and time management—discussions and activities throughout the year
Engaging in your interests and getting involved
Health and wellness—importance of sleep, good nutrition, mindfulness practices
Topics addressed in Advisory groups:
Goal-setting (throughout the year)
Time management (throughout the year)
Choosing classes wisely—students select their classes for the following year with their advisor
In 10th grade, we help students focus on better understanding themselves as they reach out and work with their teammates, classmates and teachers. Further, as students better understand their own unique talents and interests, we can help them connect with professionals throughout the community and our alumni base, who can provide opportunities for students to explore their talents.
Topics addressed by College Counseling in 10th grade:
College goals and building relationships with teachers
Explain/provide prep materials for the PSAT (Oct) and practice ACT (February or March)
Meet with full class to revisit the VES transcript before selecting junior-year classes
Optional Q&A sessions with sophomores regarding the college admissions process
10th Grade Parents Coffee (spring), live-streamed/recorded for parents who can’t attend
Individualized testing recommendations provided for each student before summer break
Topics addressed in Student Life meetings:
Personal Values and Building Relationships with Teachers
Create resumes and reflect on how activities reveal values
Eleventh grade tends to be a busy year, and college counseling activities are carefully planned throughout this grade. After juniors return from the winter holiday, they begin the weekly “College Counseling Junior Seminar,” which they will attend in place of their daytime study hall on Tuesdays. In those sessions they work through most of the nuts and bolts of college admissions (topics include important factors in the admissions process, researching schools, the YouScience assessment, making their initial college list, college visits, interviews, essay brainstorming, asking for teacher recommendations the right way, etc. All the topics discussed are shared with parents via the Junior College Counseling Seminar OnCampus course page:
The college counselors also meet individually with each junior at least twice in the winter and spring for personalized discussions. Our college counselors are available for additional meetings should students (or parents) want to discuss options/issues further.
By the time juniors go home for the summer as rising seniors, they each have a thoughtful college list draft, and an assignment to write the first draft of their essay and fill out the Common Application over the summer. Juniors/rising seniors are encouraged to contact our college counselors often over the summer to discuss their college visits and essay ideas.
Topics addressed by College Counseling in 11th grade:
Discuss and prepare for PSAT for National Merit Scholarships (the test is in October and results arrive in December)
Optional Q&A sessions in the fall semester regarding the college admissions process
College Counseling Junior Seminar begins in January and runs until the end of school year
Take YouScience assessment to aid in college and career planning
11th Grade Parents Informational Night, live-streamed/recorded for families that cannot attend
Senior year course selection is done with college counselors
Topics addressed in Student Life meetings:
Leadership skills—finding your leadership style and using it well
Wellness and mindfulness
Topics addressed in Advisory groups:
Continued goal setting, time management, exploration of interests etc.
Our seniors are well prepared for the college admissions process. Students’ advisors and parents will be kept in the loop by using SCOIR to access their students' college lists and deadlines, and to see which schools are designated as likely, target, reach, etc. After the applications are in, our focus shifts to helping students prepare for success once they get to college by addressing topics about decision-making, financial skills and wellness through the Student Life program.
Activities and topics addressed in the senior year:
Senior Class Essay Workshops with the College Counseling Office and the English Department on multiple evenings in October and November
September ACT and/or October SAT for students still testing; the SAT is also offered on campus in November and December.
Optional evening office hours each week
College counselors share their availability with their students each Sunday to ensure students have ample time to meet with them for application support.
Recent college graduates panel discussions about the college admissions process and the transition to college
Financial aid information and support
College counselors work closely with advisors and faculty to ensure seniors are receiving all the support they need in this transitional year