Learn More. Experience More. Be More.
Our community welcomes you VES welcomes your bright ideas, your curiosity, your smart questions and independent thinking, and your unique personality. We want you to be ready to challenge yourself and dive in—in the classroom, sports, the arts, clubs and weekend fun. If you fully immerse yourself, you’ll gain a life-changing education—where you will shape the person you want to be, stretch your thinking, explore new interests, even fail on occasion, and that’s ok! Along the journey, you will be known well by all of us here at VES and we’ll cheer you on as you become a resilient, confident young adult. And when you graduate, you’ll be ready to grab onto the opportunities the world holds for you.
Are you ready for more?
Who we are founded in
260
grades 9-12
1916 55% boys 45% girls
80% domestic
38 teaching faculty
students
30% day
70% boarding
20% international
73%
faculty with advanced degrees
“
How families describe VES The school where you learn how to be great at life A great school culture: warm, caring, family Academically advanced Student-led Accepted for who you are Happy, healthy kids Friends across all grades Supportive faculty very interested in their students’ success Opportunities to try everything Everything you want to do all in one place
Become the best version of yourself Toward Full Stature—our VES mission—is about the journey you are on to become your very best self, and our Portrait of a VES Graduate defines the students we graduate into the world.
Self-aware
Curious, innovative thinkers and producers Mindful leaders who serve with courage and compassion
Focused on community Ready to navigate and continue their personal growth in our dynamic world
Discover a diverse, inclusive community 18 countries 10 states
Our community brings together individuals with a range of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, and we deeply value how this diversity enriches academic discussions and student life experiences.
Small classes Big ideas A shared love of learning Challenge yourself in the core curriculum and explore your interests through a wide range of electives. You’ll think more deeply, more openly, more creatively and more analytically than you ever imagined.
12
average number of students in each class
26
honors and AP classes
90
classes from which to choose
Meaningful connections can transform your life
35
full-time teaching faculty
6:1
studentfaculty ratio
84%
of faculty live on campus
Our teachers do important work to expand your intellectual capacity and broaden your heart and mind. They engage students in high-spirited discussions, critical thinking, hands-on learning and creating beautiful work. They choose VES because they love advising, collaborating, coaching, nurturing and mentoring—and they want you to succeed. So, drop by their offices to more deeply explore a question, talk with them at seated meals, seek guidance in evening study hall or catch up on the weekend.
Students find unprecedented success at VES
97%
retention rate
VES holds one of the highest retention rates of boarding schools in the nation. The national average for attrition at boarding schools is 10.5%.
What will you get involved in outside of class?
30+ Model UN
clubs and activities
Sketchbook Club
TEAMS (Engineering, Math & Science Competition Team)
Robotics
Debate Club
Global Ambassadors
Quiz Bowl
DIG Bible Study
Chess Club
Publications
Green Team (Sustainability Club)
Bishop TV and Radio
and so much more!
Traditions bind us together and set us apart Chapel Flag Ceremony Fine Arts Friday Seated Meals Casino Night Lessons & Carols Senior Handprint Wall Book Night Counselor Chapel Talks Counselor Day Honor Code Signing Ceremony
Get your game on Whether you are trying a sport for the first time or you’ve been honing your athletic skills for years, we have just the place for you.
3 16 35 1 14
seasons interscholastic sports competitive teams state-of-theart athletic and fitness center playing fields and tennis courts
What does it mean to wear garnet and white? school colors
Garnet
White
school mascot: fighting bishops
40+
three-sport athletes each year
30+
graduates currently playing college athletics
Take your art from inspiration to exhibition From music and theater to the visual and literary arts, our students, faculty and renowned visiting artists perform and exhibit their artistic talents year-round. You can enjoy our theatre, a maker space, multiple galleries across campus, a professional recording studio, four music practice rooms, art studio, and a video studio for Bishop TV.
19 350 1 2
courses in the arts seats in our performing arts theatre professional recording studio computer labs
The place you’ll call home
6
dorms
2+
faculty reside on each dorm
300
new members of your family
And peers to help you along the way
35
student counselors and resident assistants
These students are role models—setting the culture, ensuring students live into the expectations of the school, assisting on dorm and serving as “older sibling� figures available to offer advice and support.
Follow a Day in the Life of a VES Student
8 a.m. Head to Breakfast Eggs, yogurt, granola and fruit, and grab an apple to go!
8:30 a.m. Classes Begin In English, I’m finding my voice as we discuss communities and power in Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me. My classmates are so encouraging as I share my ideas.
In AP Spanish Language and Culture, we converse with Mrs. Rhem—in Spanish, of course— about the summer trip to Madrid and the coast of Spain.
10:30 a.m.
11:35 a.m.
Chapel / Assembly
AP Environmental Science
I really enjoyed the Chaplain’s message and got so excited that my friend nailed her counselor talk that I almost forget to announce our lacrosse game tomorrow!
Today we are collecting water samples from the James River to test acidity levels. As we learn what factors are impacting the water, we will begin to develop solutions to address environmental sustainability.
12:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
Lunch
Statistics
The whole school eats together like one big family. It’s loud and fun, and I learn so much about my classmates and teachers. Today, I’m sitting with my advisory. On Thursdays, we have special seated lunches followed by a Student Life program.
My statistics class is awesome! Dr. Krusz is so energetic and who knew stats would be so relevant to what I’m working on in science?
2:10 p.m.
3:45 p.m.
AP World History
Afternoon Activities
In AP World History, Dr. Nealis asks big, thought-provoking questions so my friends and I have to think critically and clearly form our opinions.
This season it’s lacrosse. Last season it was swimming, and in the fall I ran cross-country. I never thought of myself as a three-sport athlete, but at VES we are encouraged to try new things and I am definitely benefiting from cross-training.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Off to Dinner
Play Practice
It’s Italian night…my favorite! I am sitting with my Computer Science teacher and his wife, and my friends from Mexico, Raleigh, Beijing and Washington D.C., who all have become my extended family at VES.
I love this group. We’re running lines for our upcoming musical. The captain of our basketball team is our male lead and our Robotics team leader is heading up our tech crew. It’s great how many people get involved in the arts at VES!
7:45 p.m.
9:45 p.m.
Study Hall
Down Time
Need a little direction on my math homework, so I’m going to get some extra help from my teacher. Then it’s on to my history project. Study hall is so helpful because there are no distractions, and I need to focus.
Calling mom and dad, then watching a show with my friends.
11 p.m. Lights Out VES stresses the importance of sleep, and I’ve discovered I learn much better when I get a full night’s sleep. Cell phone off and I’m out.
Prepared for life Learning at VES doesn’t begin and end in the classroom; it extends throughout the entire day. Our goal is that, when you complete your journey at VES, you will feel confident and prepared as you head off to college and that you will be ready to take on the world!
every Thursday
3x
week
24
hours a day
Through the VES Student & Residential Life program, you will work with faculty and outside experts to learn and apply essential life skills. Through chapel and school-wide assemblies, our conversations will help you cultivate your personal values and moral compass. Opportunities to learn and grow into great young adults happen around the dining tables, in advisory groups, on dorm—well, everywhere!
Confidence, independence, self-discipline Time management Advocating for yourself Health and wellness
Leadership Personal Values Empathy, respect, inclusivity Financial literacy
Nurture your mind, heart and spirit Wednesday Chapel, assemblies and Sunday Vespers. Religion classes and Bible study. Meditation and yoga. Giving back through community service. Appreciating religious traditions of VES students representing many faiths. These are some of the ways you will find to nurture your soul, grow in your own faith, develop empathy, build respect and establish a foundation for peace.
On weekends, hardly anyone wants to leave—and most day students want to return to campus!
10
awesome activities every weekend
The best of two worlds all in one place
160 2
acre campus miles to Starbucks
26 10
dogs minutes to downtown
Take a minute and picture it Living with your friends on a gorgeous campus—a safe, inclusive community to learn, play and grow—with mountains in the background, 5 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and the James River running nearby. You fit in. You’ve found your friends. You’re busy but still have plenty of time to be a kid. All that Lynchburg has to offer is just beyond the campus entrance. Great restaurants, movies, shopping, the arts, music festivals, a bustling community market, rock climbing, a maker space, a year-round ski slope (the only one in the U.S.), college and minor league sports, and so much more.
DC VA
WV
Charlottesville Richmond Raleigh
NC Charlotte
Greenville Columbia
SC
Charleston
Immerse yourself in the world
5
average number of opportunities each year for travel and immersion experiences
Ireland England
New York California
DC
Italy
Hungary & Croatia
Spain China Taiwan
Morocco Guatemala Columbia Galapagos Islands
Kenya & Uganda Ecuador Peru
Define your path to college with expert guidance
100% 85% 4
admitted to accredited fouryear colleges and universities are admitted to one of their topchoice schools year approach to college planning
Our expert College Counseling team provides personalized, responsive support for you and your family, helping you map out your VES academic and extracurricular plans, identify the testing option that’s best for you, prepare the most effective applications, and define and match you with your “best fit” schools—those most closely aligned with your academic, cocurricular, personal and professional interests.
Our graduates are accepted into many of the country’s most selective colleges and universities as well as “best fit” schools for our students’ interests.
“Once a Bishop, Always a Bishop� a phrase that demonstrates the tight-knit bonds we form here
Tap into the power of a VES diploma This opportunity of a lifetime leads to a lifetime of opportunities. You will be forever connected with a network of active alumni eager to assist in mentoring and coaching, helping you find an internship or first job or welcoming you to their neighborhood.
Are you ready for more? Go deeper at ves.org There is so much more to learn and see. Watch videos, delve into academics and student life, and start your online application.
Come visit Meet our students and faculty. Attend classes. Enjoy a meal in the dining hall. Stay on dorm. ves.org/visit
Apply ves.org/apply
Be in touch We would love to talk with you. 434.385.3607 | admissions@ves.org
Stay connected
ves.org | 400 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
