Student Services
We support VES students every step of the way, offering many services designed to make your daily life enjoyable and ensuring your overall health and well-being.
Here are just a few examples of what is currently available to members of the VES family.
Health & Wellness
Led by Ginna Petrikonis, CPNP-PC, the Costas Wellness Center is staffed by Registered Nurses and LPNs. We offer urgent care appointments for students as well as transporting students to routine appointments while they are away at school. Counseling appointments are available every day.
Costas Wellness Center Hours
Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m.
There is no charge for a student to see either a nurse or the school physician at the Wellness Center.
Medical Insurance
All VES students are required to have complete medical insurance coverage.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications are dispensed only by the clinic. VES uses Kroger Pharmacy at 4119 Boonsboro Road for all pharmaceutical needs. Kroger Pharmacy also administers Influenza vaccines in the fall for those students with signed permission from their parents.
Counseling Services
The VES Counseling office offers short-term counseling for students and crisis consultation. With a counselor’s assistance, a student can discuss concerns big or small, identify issues before they escalate—allowing for greater freedom when evaluating and choosing options—and decide upon appropriate follow-up, if needed. The counseling is confidential, and information may not be released without the student’s permission, unless the welfare of the school community or the student is at risk. The office also assists in making mental health referrals to on- and off-campus resources, when needed to support a student.
The counseling office is staffed by Mrs. Julia Litman, LMSW, CFLE and Mrs. Rachel Porter, LSC. We also work closely with our in-town partner, Elizabeth Jenkins LCSW, who is available by referral to meet with students at her practice, James River Counseling Center.
Our counselors are easily accessible to our students, who are encouraged to come talk, even if they are not sure that counseling is what they need. Drop-in visits are encouraged, and students may schedule appointments as desired.
The counseling office also works closely with our Student Life team to advise on areas of learning, growth, and development within the student body to support their overall wellness.
Technology
Technology is part of life at VES. Our teachers use it to enhance instruction, our students use it to learn and conduct research, and our campus community uses it to stay connected and current on school happenings and world events.
Dorm rooms are wired with high-speed Internet connections and our facilities are covered with campus-wide wireless access. Students have their own VES email, conduct online research, access classroom assignments, athletics updates and other essential information on our OnCampus web platform, and utilize other network resources from their personal computers in the comfort of their dorm rooms or a bench outside on Box Plaza.
Bookstore
The VES Bookstore is located in the William King Center, and students charge items to their bookstore account.
All required textbooks for the school year are available for the students to purchase throughout the year. The bookstore also carries school supplies, toiletries, essentials for athletics, and a large selection of VES apparel and merchandise.
The bookstore also handles all of the student mail and packages and can ship packages for students.
Get to know Casy Williams, our bookstore manager and parent of two VES graduates, when you are on campus. Mrs. Williams is a great connector with students. You may reach her in the bookstore if you wish to order items: cwilliams@ves.org.
Laundry Service
VES has laundry facilities on campus for students' use. Students also may use a laundry service for regular wash and/or dry cleaning. This service is offered through the bookstore.
- All clothing must be clearly marked with the student’s name.
- Laundry and dry cleaning are picked up every Monday morning. Laundry and dry cleaning should be left at the bookstore by 9 a.m. on Monday or outside of the door if dropping off earlier than 9 a.m. If Monday is not a regular school day, pick-up day is moved to Tuesday with pick up at the same time.
- Clothing must be in a laundry bag marked with the student’s name with a permanent pen. Laundry and dry cleaning may be placed in the same bag.
- Students are not to use another person’s bag for laundry or dry cleaning.
- Returned laundry and dry cleaning may be picked up on the following Friday at the bookstore.
- All charges for laundry and dry cleaning will be charged to the student’s bookstore account.