A couple of months ago, a close friend visiting from out of town asked me, “How does Vandermont prepare students to be ‘college-ready?’” My answer was unexpected, especially since this friend knows me well and is aware of my extensive experience across a wide range of educational environments—everything from K-12 public and private schools to graduate programs over the years.
Before answering, I asked, “Which student are you referring to, and what kind of college?” I then used my own children as an example, offering an answer and leaving him with much to consider.
All five of my children are now young adults with distinct personalities, unique interests, and diverse talents, aspirations, motivations, and academic abilities. Four attended either community colleges or four-year universities, but only two graduated. Two others left before completing a year, opting instead to enter the workforce and learn through on-the-job experience. The youngest skipped college altogether, diving straight into a career from the ground up. The oldest graduated ten years ago, while the youngest finished high school just two years ago. None of them were over 19 when they made their decisions about higher education. Interestingly, all of them attended “College Prep” high schools with rigorous academic programs and plenty of extracurricular activities.
What stood out most, however, was what was missing from their high school experiences. Despite attending four different “college prep” schools, they were not equipped with certain critical skills that would have better prepared them to reason, process, and navigate difficult situations. These missing elements are exactly what Vandermont integrates into the daily lives of its students. Vandermont offers a comprehensive, real-time approach that includes:
Organic spiritual life development, living out the Fruits of the Spirit
A strong emphasis on self-responsibility
Building and honoring relationships
Developing a consistent, strong work ethic
Acquiring soft skills such as teamwork and leadership
Solving age-appropriate problems that are essential for both academic and emotional growth
Advancing individual abilities and knowledge base growth through Core studies and Quests
In my children’s secondary education, many of these foundational qualities were left for them to figure out on their own, particularly if they weren’t modeled at home. While we certainly tried to provide a solid foundation, there was no comparison to the holistic support Vandermont offers its students in a safe and nurturing environment. Yes, specialized coaching was available in sports or activities, but the overall approach in their schools focused more on the collective rather than the individual.
The qualities I’ve mentioned provide strong reasons for choosing Vandermont. The school’s mission is simple: "We desire each student to lead a purposeful life." And that’s exactly what Vandermont aims to accomplish.
A student who graduates from Vandermont, having completed their entire educational journey, will emerge as an educated “Pioneer”—an adult who can blend extensive knowledge with advanced problem-solving skills, both personal and professional. It’s exactly what we all want for our children.
Blessings,
Mr. Dalrymple
Head of School
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