About VHS

Vail High School is a small comprehensive high school serving students in grades 9 – 12 with a maximum enrollment of 210 students. Its unique location in the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park allows the school to capitalize on business relationships and connects students to their futures. This “ Small School ” community with class sizes averaging 20 students promotes personal relationships that optimize the learning of each individual. The school and staff provide a challenging academic curriculum that emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Business with opportunities to apply knowledge in real-world settings.

Technology & elective programs offered include graphic/web design, digital arts, multimedia, information technology, business, journalism, art, photography, drama, music, and foreign language. We have four computer labs with a computer-student ratio (1:2). Our computers are equipped with the latest industry recognized software suites on PC platforms. Our clubs include National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Scuba, Academic Decathlon, Odyssey of the Mind, Ben's Bells, Outdoor Club, etc.

Vail also offers an athletics department participating in a small school community sports conference. Athletic activities offered in the past include basketball, cross-country, flag football, golf, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. Students looking for a more competitive league have the option of participating in Cienega High School sports (4A conference), or Empire High School sports (3A conference).

Mission Statement

Vail High School is a caring learning community where we are all capable of success. Through a rigorous curriculum, with an intensive support system, we foster the academic and personal growth of our students and staff. We embrace innovation, effort, and diversity in an environment that honors the voices of all.

Vision Statement

Vail High School is a community of learners committed to high academic achievement and personal success. Students are prepared for life beyond high school with 21st century Skills.

Graduates of Vail High School are ready for the academic rigor of college and are responsible citizens who integrate technology into their personal and professional lives.

Guiding Principles

Central to the Vail High School experience is a core of essential knowledge studied by all students. As a result of an education at Vail High School , a student will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become:

1. A Self-Directed, Lifelong Learner who:

   • Develops and maintains a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

   • Takes responsibility for and pride in the quality of performances and products.

   • Participates in challenging experiences with perseverance.

   • Sets and works toward personal goals.

   • Uses knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses for growth.

   • Accesses information in a variety of ways.

2. A Flexible Worker who:

   • Works independently with confidence.

   • Works effectively and responsibly in groups.

   • Demonstrates skills of decision making, leadership, and team work.

3. An Independent Thinker who:

   • Can analyze, synthesize and evaluate.

   • Accepts uncertainties.

   • Uses a variety of critical thinking and innovative and creative problem-solving strategies.

   • Identifies and solves challenging problems.

   • Analyzes situations from multiple perspectives.

   • Learns from experiences.

   • Integrates information from a variety of sources.

4. An Effective Communicator who:

   • Expresses knowledge, ideas, and feelings effectively through different means i.e., written, oral, musical, visual and/or kinesthetic forms.

   • Listens with a focused and inquisitive mind.

   • Demonstrates an awareness of other languages.

   • Demonstrates appropriate interaction with others.

   • Uses technology to access and disseminate information.

5. A Healthy Person who:

   • Makes informed and responsible decision about nutrition, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and sexuality.

   • Sets personal goals and exhibits a positive self- concept.

   • Participates in a wide variety of healthy activities.

   • Encourages positive behavior in others.

   • Demonstrates growth in physical, emotional, intellectual, and mental fitness.

   • Develops a sense of humor.

   • Accepts responsibility for own actions.

   • Recognizes different methods to resolve and manage conflicts.

   • Treats himself/herself with respect and dignity.

6. An Effective Learner who:

   • Uses a knowledge base to question and explore ideas.

   • Makes connections between prior and new knowledge.

   • Identifies and solves problems by integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines.

   • Recognizes that our body of knowledge will change.

   • Applies knowledge to real-life situations