Before arriving at Verde Valley School this past summer, I’d been living in Shanghai, China, for seven years. From a gigantic school (around 3,000 students) in a huge urban megalopolis (around 27 million people) with skyscrapers everywhere, I landed at a tiny school (120 students) in a small town (around 10,000 people) without tall buildings but with towering red rock formations surrounding our campus. What a contrast!

Apart from COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions, I loved my time and school in Shanghai. But, already, I can feel and see the powerful impact that my new school has on the students who are lucky enough to attend.

Verde Valley School has over 3,000 alumni — many of whom remember the school’s founding principles. Those guiding principles — academic excellence, world citizenship, environmental stewardship, service to others and the value of physical labor have impacted our students. Many testify that their experience at VVS changed or even saved their life.

Verde Valley School is committed to providing the best possible academic program, giving students the opportunities to excel academically, while learning to become independent, thoughtful and responsible members of a community.

VVS brings together students from all over the world — this year — 14 countries and seven states. Each year, students log hundreds of hours of community service in Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, the Hopi and the Navajo Nations. They develop a deep love for their community, returning year after year contributing their time and service to others.

Hamilton Warren, founder of VVS stated, “The nation, indeed the world, needs a school that will bring together children from many nations, many cultures, all races and religions, not simply to study and tolerate one another, but to learn from and celebrate their differences.”

While VVS is an International Baccalaureate boarding and day high school for students in grades 9-12, its not inexpensive. 

There is a way that you can help support our school.

The Arizona School Tuition Organization (STO) program offers several benefits for in-state taxpayers. One of the main advantages is the opportunity to redirect a portion of state income tax liability to support education. By contributing to a qualified STO, taxpayers can help fund scholarships for students attending private schools.

Arizona taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for their contribution to a qualified STO, up to the maximum allowable limit set by the state. This means that if you contribute $500 to an STO, you can subtract $500 from your state income tax liability.

This program promotes educational choice by allowing taxpayers to direct their tax dollars toward scholarships for students attending private schools. This gives families more options in choosing the educational environment that best suits their children’s needs.

By supporting scholarships through STOs, taxpayers contribute to a diverse and competitive educational landscape. This can lead to improved educational outcomes as schools strive to meet the needs and preferences of students and their families.

The program encourages community involvement and philanthropy. Taxpayers actively contribute to the well-being of their community by supporting education initiatives. With over 100 state-certified School Tuition Organizations, taxpayers can direct their contributions to scholarships for students at schools which reflect their values and aspirations. Of course, we at Verde Valley School would love support for the Verde Valley School Tuition Organization (VVSTO.org). We recognize that there are many choices and support all of them.

Blog Post Submitted by Ben Lee, Ed.D. Head of School, Verde Valley School

 

 

 

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