Community Spotlight: Vermont Commons School

Civic engagement is the missing puzzle piece in too many schools these days. While personal growth and development are central to learning, reaching beyond yourself to impact the local and global community is essential. Vermont Commons School in South Burlington, VT, is one school that recognizes this.

This month, we want to shine our spotlight on this beacon of engaged scholarship. Their commitment to blending academic skills with real-life experience in the community is commendable-and worth a close look!

A More Deliberate Approach to Education

Which would you rather use to reign in wild green growth: a scythe or a weed-eater? It's a question that Wendell Barry poses in his essay, "A Good Scythe." Barry makes a case for the old-world tool-it lets you work at a natural pace and it limits your work, so you never trade quality for quantity.

Vermont Commons School applies the same philosophy to education. In a world where "technology" is so often the driving mantra in education, this school believes in the notion of slow learning. What does it mean to work at a human pace, governed by a goal of quality, deep thinking, and long-lasting change?

This school gives its students the time and space to connect deeply with people and places in need. They let students work through possible solutions and swing the scythe themselves to make a difference they can feel.

Nurture Your Sense of Wonder & Curiosity

Vermont Commons School tries to bring everyone into their community-even if it's your first day! They believe no one should feel like they're alone, and that's part of the reason why students love VCS. You'll have so many opportunities for hands-on experience in service, here and across the globe.

Students can study a vast range of subjects, from English, math, and the sciences to world languages and the fine arts. You can count on one thing: you'll move far beyond the textbook, practicing printmaking in the studio and squinting at microscopes and graduated cylinders in the lab.

A robust slate of athletic offerings gives students opportunities to stay physically fit and active! Whether you're skilled at volleyball, basketball, cross country, or ultimate frisbee, you'll find a home here.

See What Drives Vermont Commons School

If you're looking for a grade 6-12 school near South Burlington, VT, that nurtures character and pushes engagement in ever-wider communities, Vermont Commons School may be perfect for your child.

Check them out online and learn more about their multi-disciplinary academics, individualized learning, and local and international projects. Give your child an experience that changes them-and helps them realize their role in the wider world around them!