VSSA Academics

Founded in 2007, Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy (VSSA) is the first and only public ski and snowboard academy in the United States. VSSA is uniquely positioned to enable students to pursue their athletic dreams without compromising academics. Over the past two years, VSSA has expanded upon its athletic partnerships to introduce additional sports, including hockey, figure skating, swimming and mountain biking. VSSA is a fully accredited and certified college preparatory school located in Minturn, Colo. surrounded by miles of National Forest.

Mission

VSSA provides a rigorous college preparatory academic program while supporting the athletic and personal goals of its students. Part of the Eagle County School District, VSSA facilitates the attainment of its students’ dreams by offering challenging academics, flexible scheduling and individualized attention.

Currently, VSSA boasts an 8:1 student-to-teacher ration, with just over 200 students total in grades 5 through 12. VSSA has graduated 151 students since 2008, and SAT and ACT scores rank above the state and national averages. In addition, 100 percent of VSSA students enroll in post-secondary school within three years of graduation.

Curriculum Highlights

VSSA curriculum includes STEM, Spanish, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Independent Study, Work Place Experience, Seminar, Study Halls with an advisory component and elective classes, dependent upon grade level and, in certain cases, space availability. Placement testing in Math and Spanish helps to determine appropriate academic level in these subjects.