The Vermont Commons School
The Vermont Commons School is a private, independent, college-preparatory school for grades 7-12. Since it's opening in 1997, the Vermont Commons School has devoted itself to creating a new kind of education community. What most profoundly sets Vermont Commons School apart from other secondary schools is the ethic of service and responsibility that is woven throughout the curriculum. Complementary to our college-preparatory curriculum, The Vermont Commons School (VCS) teaches students that they each have the ability to make a positive impact on their community right now as well as in the future. Our students learn about their environment and local and global communities in terms of physical and social components and identify the problems that we face. As a community of proactive citizens they learn about the responsibility to act that comes with knowledge.
As a school, VCS strives to "empower students with the knowledge, character, skill, and moral vision necessary to become responsible, pro-active members of the world community." VCS seeks to break down barriers between organizations and businesses while promoting shared expertise, knowledge, materials and financial resources within a community. It is on this principle that the Research and Service(R&S) program is based. The R&S course is designed to give students hands on experience that is directed towards the well being of the community and the environment. The Carbon Zero Project grew out of the Commons Co-op, which aimed to reduce the school's ecological impact. Through calculations and energy audits, the initial group looked for energy saving replacements to modify our current infrastructure and generate awareness throughout the school.
Visit the Vermont Commons School website at: www.vermontcommons.org