Vergennes Union High School

We are a 7th through 12th grade public Middle/High School located in Addison County, Vermont, approximately 8 miles from Lake Champlain.
 
We are committed to using a personalized learning approach, within a multi-tiered system of supports, in order that all children progress.
 

Building-wide Initiatives

Morning Meeting

Each student has an advisor, and meets daily in a group of 10 - 15 students. The same students and a teacher stay together for 7th and 8th grade, and then in a different group, for 9th through 12th grades. We believe that personalization matters.  Learn more.

Compass

Students and teachers can work together on intervention, enrichment, extension, and choice activities. Time is set aside every day for them to meet. We believe that students should make up work or relearn what they do not understand.  Learn more.

Transferable Skills & Habits of Work

In addition to the content standards connected to each course, students are expected to earn proficiency in Transferable Skills throughout their high school experience.  See VUHS Transferable Skills and Habits of Work.

Personal Learning Plans

Every student at VUHS creates a Personal Learning Plan.  In their plan, students consider their personal strengths, challenges, and interests.  Students set goals for their future, connect their goals to learning, and reflect on their goals.  At the end of the year high school students participate in PLP Presentation Day where each student presents to a variety of audiences. 

VUHS has developed a Personalized Learning Plan Action Team to increase the connection between PLPs and our curriculum at our school. This team is made up of both youth and adults.  Find out more about their work.

 

 

We Strive to Live by Five Guidelines

We are here; We are on time

  • The most damaging behavior to learning may be, simply, missing class.
  • Definitions of the word "attend":
    • To be present
    • To take charge of
    • To listen to
    • To give attention
    We take all these definitions to the verb "attend" seriously
  • Missing class is fatal to deep learning. Tardiness defeats lesson planning and shows disrespect for teachers and fellow students.

We believe in personal integrity

  • Academic Honesty is the bedrock of our school
  • Truthfulness is the currency of a community

We are respectful

  • Respect yourself, each other, our school, and our community
  • Respect the property of others
  • Respect one another's privacy

We are kind

  • Definitions of "kind"
    • friendly
    • showing sympathy or understanding
    • charitable
    • humane
    • considerate
    • showing empathy
  • We embrace all these meanings. Kindness and respect work hand-in-hand to make VUHS a great place to learn

We challenge ourselves

  • Human beings are incapable of staying the same, day-in and day-out. One either grows or diminishes daily. The only way to ensure GROWTH and not SHRINKAGE is to challenge oneself every day.