Academics

The goal of VSSA is to challenge its student-athletes with a rigorous academic curriculum while supporting a world-class training and competition schedule. The majority of the student-athletes compete on a national or international level, which entails extensive travel during the school year. VSSA is specifically tailored to provide for the education of its oftentimes far-flung student body and every student travels with a I-Pad II (5th & 6th) or laptop computer (7th-12th). The use of innovative internet technologies allows teachers and students to maintain in close communication. Students collect assignments, participate in discussion boards, take quizzes, download videos of lectures, and receive real-time instruction from teachers over the internet. VSSA’s student to teacher ratio of 10:1 allows for individualized attention. Flexible scheduling is the rule. Careful planning and monitoring of each student’s course work maintains a uniform opportunity for learning. VSSA students develop a level of independent learning that is unusual among high school students.

CSD requires that VSSA student-athletes earn 27 credits to graduate. VSSA provides 4-5 core classes and 1 elective course. VSSA offers Advanced Placement Calculus, ACT/SAT test preparation, independent studies, online courses (supported on-site) through Aventa, Dual Enrollment English 3 and English 4 (in collaboration with the University of Colorado, Denver). VSSA's strongest students often take the Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement Calculus courses in their junior and senior years. 

In addition, VSSA requires four years of Advisory and four years of Physical Education (Competitive Snow Sports). These two courses, while taken for credit, do not count in a student’s GPA. Many students participate in additional athletic and extracurricular activities offered by the school district or local sports clubs. In the spring and fall, VSSA students attend classes from 8:30 AM -3:30 PM.

In the winter, the student’s day begins with athletic training from 8 AM – 1 PM on Vail Mountain. The winter academic day runs from 1:20 PM – 5:20 PM. VSSA student-athletes train with full-time, elite coaches at SSCV in a program that is recognized internationally as one of the leading snow sports programs in the world.

Current and former VSSA students have gone on to compete in the Olympics and to pursue their careers with the US Ski Team, the US Snowboard Team, and the US Freestyle Ski Team.

CORE CLASS DESCRIPTION 

9th-12th Grades

ENGLISH

ENGLISH 9
This course covers reading and writing about contemporary literature. Students focus on development of narrative and descriptive writing skills. Skills in written and verbal communication are taught, and grammar, spelling and vocabulary are included as part of the course.

ENGLISH 10
This course covers reading and writing about world literature. Students focus on the development of expository and persuasive writing skills. Skills in written and verbal communication are taught, and grammar, spelling and vocabulary are included as part of the course.

ENGLISH 11
This course is a study of American literature including short stories, novels and poetry. Skills in written and verbal communication are taught, and grammar, spelling and vocabulary are included as part of the course. 

ENGLISH 12
This course is a study that focuses on using persuasive language, writing a formal research paper, and studying plays and poetry. Skills in written and verbal communication are taught, and grammar, spelling and vocabulary are included as part of the course.

MATH 

(A TI-83, TI-84 or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator is required)

ALGEBRA 1
This course uses real-life application and algebraic concepts to help develop critical thinking skills. Topics covered include rules and language of algebra, variables, solving, graphing, writing one variable equations and inequalities, linear equations and inequalities, linear systems of equations and inequalities, proportional applications and basic statistics and probability. Second semester includes polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations, powers and exponents, radical expressions and equations and their applications.

GEOMETRY
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
This course is designed to increase the student’s knowledge of the geometric world. Topics include right triangles, basic trigonometry, circles, similarity/ proportion, many types of polygons, perimeter area, surface area and volume, symmetry, transformations, geometric terms and angles, geometric terms, connections to algebra, lines in a plane, patterns, similarity and congruence, angles, properties of triangles and logical thinking.

ALGEBRA II
This course continues to use real-life application and a technology based approach to help visualize additional algebraic concepts. Semester one topics include: review of systems of linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, inequalities and relations. Second semester emphasizes functions, powers, roots, radicals, exponential and logarithmic functions, polynomial, rational functions, and probability.

PRE-CALCULUS/ TRIGONOMETRY
Prerequisite: Algebra 2
This course is for college bound students. It is designed to prepare students for calculus and to satisfy selective college entrance requirements. Concepts include study of linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic, polynomial and rational functions. A TI-83, TI-84 or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator is required. The second half of this course emphasizes trigonometry. Matrices and conics are also covered.

AP CALCULUS
Prerequisite: Pre-calculus/ Trigonometry or College Algebra/Trigonometry: Fee $86
Topics covered during the first trimester include functions, graphs, limits, continuity, derivatives and applications of differentiation. This advanced placement (AP) course runs for a full high school academic year. The content is comparable to calculus courses offered in colleges and universities. Topics covered during the second trimester will include interpretations and properties of integrals, applications of integrals, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, techniques and applications of anti-differentiation and numerical approximations of definite integrals. This is a rigorous and challenging course designed to offer students a chance to earn college credit through the successful completion of the AP Calculus AB/BC exam in the spring. Students are required to take the exam.

SCIENCE

GEOPHYSICAL SCIENCE 9th
Physical science is a lab based course that covers the following topics in detail; Physical Science, Physics, Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy. During the physical science and physics units, students conduct extensive inquiry style laboratory investigations, which uncover similar results to those of notable historic scientists. Astronomy, meteorology, and geology units include a variety of fieldwork including backpacking in Arches National Park, Moab, UT. Special emphasis is applied to laboratory notebooks and emerging writing skills in science.

BIOLOGY 10th
Biology is an inquiry-based lab course that explores topics in the nature of life, cells, genetics, evolution, and classification. Special emphasis is applied toward writing formal lab reports and researching current issues in Biology. Prerequisites include concurrent placement in Geometry as well the successful completion of physical science (or a proficient score on the ECSD physical science). 

CHEMISTRY 11th
Chemistry is a lab-based course that explores topics in atomic structure, atomic bonding, chemical naming and formula writing, stoichiometry, acids-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, and hydrocarbon compounds. Labs utilize small-scale technique. Prerequisites include the successful completion of Biology and concurrent placement in Algebra II. 

PHYSICS 11th/12th
Physics is an inquiry-based lab course that explores topics in motion, forces in one or two dimensions, gravitation, rotational motion, momentum, energy conservation, fundamentals of light, magnetic fields and electromagnetism. A variety of conceptual and analytic examples are used in this course. Students will also participate in Physics Day in Denver, CO. Prerequisites include the successful completion of Biology and concurrent placement in Algebra II. Textbook fees apply.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 11th/12th
Environmental science is a research and field-based interdisciplinary course that explores contemporary relationships between causes of environmental issues, their impacts, and hope for possible solutions. A US and global perspective on environmental issues ensures that students understand the local and global implications of environmental problems and solutions. Special emphasis is applied toward public speaking and presentation skills. One science or elective credit. Textbook fees apply.

HUMANITIES

WORLD HISTORY
This course provides an in-depth study of history stressing concepts of change, identity, interdependence and citizenship. The focus is on the political, economic and social development of Western Europe and the Americas. Higher education requirements for Colorado colleges mandate at least one year of either US History or World History included in the required 3.0 social studies credit. 

U.S. HISTORY
This course traces the development of modern America and its role in the world. Content begins with the colonization of the Americas, continuing through contemporary times. Historical events are analyzed along political, social and economic lines, with an emphasis on causal relationships and modern implications. Higher education requirements for Colorado colleges mandate at least one year of either US History or World History included in the required 3.0 social studies credit. 

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
This course is a demanding class that teaches the standards set forth by the National Geographic Standards: place, region, movement, human interaction and culture. The course focuses on analytical thinking, writing and reading skills using Geographic Information Systems that will prepare students for success in college.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
College level instruction will include the foundation of the US Constitution, the philosophy of American government, general principles of the US Constitution, federalism, civil liberties, public opinion, citizen participation, political parties, interest groups, the electoral process and the structure and function of the national government.

• English 4  
• Mathematics 3
• Social Studies 2.5 
• Science 3
• Government 0.5 
• Health 0.5
• Computer Technology 1 
• Physical Education 1.5
• Advisory 
• Competitive Snow Sports
• One semester equals ½ credit.

Every spring, 8th-11th grade course scheduling with Director of College Placement, Tad Davis to schedule and track academics. Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in these meetings.  To receive a diploma from VSSA, students must earn a minimum number of credits.

Class Schedule

Core Class Description

Winter Bell Schedule