| Revision as of 05:40, 23 February 2016 editTangentialtripoli (talk | contribs)1 editm Headmaster changed from Douglas Minson to David Dean.Tag: Visual edit← Previous edit | Revision as of 02:37, 9 May 2016 edit undoWiki567hw (talk | contribs)32 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| | headmaster = David Dean | | headmaster = David Dean | ||
| | faculty = | | faculty = | ||
| | ratio = | | ratio =10:1 | ||
| | enrollment = 705 (2015-2016)<ref name="Veritas Profile">"http://veritasprepacademy.org/downloads/VPA_2015_2PG.pdf"</ref> | |||
| | enrollment = 323<ref name=NCES>"". ]. Retrieved 2010-11-14. "Total Students: 323 (2008-2009)"</ref> | |||
| | enrollment_as_of = 2008–09 | |||
| | type = ] | | type = ] | ||
| | grades = ] | | grades = ] | ||
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| | homepage = | | homepage = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Veritas Preparatory Academy''' is |
'''Veritas Preparatory Academy''' is one of the elite charter schools in ]. Founded in 2002, Veritas Prep is owned and operated by ]. Founded on the ideals of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, Veritas offers a great books curriculum that includes the writings of Homer, Plato, Hemingway, Dostoyevsky, Locke, and other influential Western thinkers. | ||
| Its students outscored peers in every country in the recent ], which the ] called the “world cup of school standards” and “the world’s most important exam.”<ref>http://humanitasnewsletter.blogspot.com</ref> | |||
| With over 20% of the student body named ] Semi-Finalists, Finalists, Commended, and Hispanic Scholars, the school has a 100% graduation rate and has matriculated students at some of the top universities in the world, including Duke University, Harvard University, Brown University, Dartmouth University, and West Point, to name only a few.<ref>http://veritasprepacademy.org/downloads/VPA_2015_2PG.pdf</ref> | |||
| == School philosophy == | == School philosophy == | ||
| As a ] Veritas Prep offers a Great Books education centering on fundamental texts in the Western pantheon. Veritas Prep's philosophy includes small class sizes and education using the ]. | As a ] Veritas Prep offers a Great Books education centering on fundamental texts in the Western pantheon. Veritas Prep's philosophy includes small class sizes and education using the ]. | ||
| Teachers ask questions, awakening a sense of wonder in the students and prompting them to think deeply about the subject matter. A key idea or assignment might require that the teacher present material to the class, but the forward progress of the class is driven by the questions that the teacher asks of the students, the answers that they give, and the further questions that those answers inspire. | |||
| === Curriculum Overview === | |||
| All students seeking graduation from Veritas Preparatory Academy must take at least one course in latin. While high school students have the opportunity to choose between Spanish, French, Latin, and Ancient Greek, all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students take latin. | |||
| High school students are required to take two years of honors physics, including kinetics, dynamics, electricity, magnetism, mechanical waves, light, and sound. Students also take a year of honors chemistry, honors biology, as well as natural, life, and earth science. These courses are taken along side two years of honors ], hours ], and honors ] II/Trig. | |||
| Throughout middle and high school, students take four years of music, three years of ], and two years of honors ], drama, and poetry. | |||
| === Notable Faculty === | |||
| *Instructor in the Humane Letters ], member of the ] | |||
| *Instructor in the Humane Letters David Wagner, senior writer, ] and ]; speechwriter, ] | |||
| == Admission == | == Admission == | ||
| As a ] in the state of Arizona, Veritas Preparatory Academy has no entrance requirements but may cap its enrollment. Interested families must apply for the school's annual admissions lottery, which takes place in the spring of each school year. However, if a family has one child enrolled, any other children automatically receive a spot. Software designed by alumnus Joseph Irvine is used to perform these lotteries randomly. An addition in the 2010-2011 school year was one class of sixth grade. | As a ] in the state of Arizona, Veritas Preparatory Academy has no entrance requirements but may cap its enrollment. Interested families must apply for the school's annual admissions lottery, which takes place in the spring of each school year. However, if a family has one child enrolled, any other children automatically receive a spot. Software designed by alumnus Joseph Irvine is used to perform these lotteries randomly. An addition in the 2010-2011 school year was one class of sixth grade. | ||
| == Coursework == | == Coursework == | ||
| Veritas Preparatory Academy offers |
Veritas Preparatory Academy offers an all honors academic curriculum. 9-12th grade students may choose to study Latin and Ancient Greek, French, or Spanish, but the rest of the curriculum is fixed. Students at Veritas Prep exceed all requirements for students graduating from the state of Arizona. | ||
| === Senior Thesis === | |||
| Senior students at Veritas Prep must complete a written thesis and defense before receiving a diploma from the school. Students are required to write a fifteen-page thesis based upon three texts, one of which must be a VPA curriculum text. They are advised by a faculty member and must appear before a defense committee. | |||
| Senior students at Veritas Prep must complete a written thesis and defense before receiving a diploma from the school. The Senior thesis is the culmination of the student’s years at the academy. It is a yearlong project completed in addition to the normal course load. The student, under the supervision of a faculty advisor, explores one of the “Six Great Ideas”of humanity (Truth, Justice, Liberty, Equality, Beauty and Goodness) through the close reading of three works from the Western Intellectual Tradition. During spring semester the student produces a 15-25 page paper examining a thesis developed during the readings and discussions with the advisor. The project is completed by a public defense of the final draft of the thesis before a committee of faculty members. | |||
| == Facilities == | |||
| === Academic Facilities === | |||
| *The central location of the campus is housed on the Quayle Campus, named after the son of former United States Vice President ], a donor of ] board member.<ref>http://www.greatheartsaz.org/about-us-mainmenu-26/leadership-team</ref> | |||
| *'''Lund Center for Performing Arts''', houses the school's seasonal choir concerts, drama performances, and speeches from visiting guests. Such speakers include Governor ], Russian-American Conductor ], and author ] | |||
| *'''John X. Evans Library''', houses the Veritas Preparatory Academy Library stacks, as well as serves as a hub for social and academic life at the school. | |||
| === Athletic Facilities === | |||
| *'''Van Brunt Gymnasium''', dedicated to a founding member of Veritas Preparatory Academy, is home to the Falcon basketball and State Champion volleyball teams. | |||
| *'''Hall Family Weight Room''', named after ] board member, President and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, ], serves as the primary work-out facility for all Veritas sporting teams. | |||
| *Full football and soccer fields, south of academic facilities | |||
| == Student Life == | |||
| === House System === | |||
| Students take part in a ]. Students are assigned to houses and compete in field days for the house cup. Each house is lead by a senior ] and two ] and representatives comprised of high school students. These groups of students organize athletic competitions, ], and mentor programs. | |||
| === Extracurricular Activities === | |||
| Veritas Preparatory Academy offers over 35 extracurricular clubs and activities. These groups compete in local choir festivals, debate competitions, and the ] competition organized by the ]<ref>http://www.veritasprepacademy.org/downloads/VPA%20Extra-Curricular%20Catalogue%2020151006.pdf</ref>. There are three newspapers published by these student groups, including a Humanitas Newsletter, Veritas Math Magazine (VM-Squared), and Linguistic Fellowship Publication. | |||
| === Student Traditions === | |||
| The ] is a long-standing and capstone experience at Veritas Preparatory Academy, where students explore together their heritage contained in great art and architecture, scientific and technological marvels, religious, political and cultural achievements in and around the Federal City, ]. and in ]. It is an exercise in cultivated leisure, a kind for which they have been uniquely prepared. Students engage in mutual reflections on profound things, ideas and reality come together, and as a consequence they learn more deeply ]’s teaching on friendship as shared experiences. | |||
| Students newly transferring into Veritas Preparatory Academy, and anyone in need of practicing day-to-day classroom skills enroll in Veritas' Study Skills Workshop and ] Program, an event that helps students adjust more effectively to the rigorous academic and cultural expectations and practices of Veritas. Under the guidance of veteran Veritas teachers, students practice essential skills such as organization and time management, math operations skills, note-taking, active and critical reading, and ] discussion. | |||
| As incoming high school students, all ninth graders partake in the ninth grade retreat, organized and run by upper class-men. At the event, students stay overnight at school and participate in student lead games and leadership building events. | |||
| == Athletics == | == Athletics == | ||
| For high school sports, Veritas Prep competes in the ] and is a member of its 1A Conference. Great Hearts operates its own sports league for its junior high students. | For high school sports, Veritas Prep competes in the ] and is a member of its 1A Conference. Great Hearts operates its own sports league for its junior high students. Veritas is home to over 15 competing ] athletic teams and nearly 15 ] and middle school teams. | ||
| The Falcons have won 5 State Championships in Volleyball and 2 State Championships in Swimming. | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 02:37, 9 May 2016
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| Veritas Preparatory Academy | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 3102 N. 56th St., Suite 100 Phoenix, Arizona United States | |
| Coordinates | 33°29′3.39″N 111°57′40.61″W / 33.4842750°N 111.9612806°W / 33.4842750; -111.9612806 |
| Information | |
| Type | Charter school |
| Motto | "Verum, pulchrum, bonum" or "Truth, beauty, goodness" |
| Established | 2002 |
| Headmaster | David Dean |
| Grades | 6 to 12 |
| Enrollment | 705 (2015-2016) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 10:1 |
| Mascot | Falcons |
| Website | veritasprepacademy.org |
Veritas Preparatory Academy is one of the elite charter schools in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 2002, Veritas Prep is owned and operated by Great Hearts Academies. Founded on the ideals of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, Veritas offers a great books curriculum that includes the writings of Homer, Plato, Hemingway, Dostoyevsky, Locke, and other influential Western thinkers.
Its students outscored peers in every country in the recent Programme for International Student Assessment, which the BBC called the “world cup of school standards” and “the world’s most important exam.”
With over 20% of the student body named National Merit Semi-Finalists, Finalists, Commended, and Hispanic Scholars, the school has a 100% graduation rate and has matriculated students at some of the top universities in the world, including Duke University, Harvard University, Brown University, Dartmouth University, and West Point, to name only a few.
School philosophy
As a charter school Veritas Prep offers a Great Books education centering on fundamental texts in the Western pantheon. Veritas Prep's philosophy includes small class sizes and education using the Socratic method.
Teachers ask questions, awakening a sense of wonder in the students and prompting them to think deeply about the subject matter. A key idea or assignment might require that the teacher present material to the class, but the forward progress of the class is driven by the questions that the teacher asks of the students, the answers that they give, and the further questions that those answers inspire.
Curriculum Overview
All students seeking graduation from Veritas Preparatory Academy must take at least one course in latin. While high school students have the opportunity to choose between Spanish, French, Latin, and Ancient Greek, all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students take latin.
High school students are required to take two years of honors physics, including kinetics, dynamics, electricity, magnetism, mechanical waves, light, and sound. Students also take a year of honors chemistry, honors biology, as well as natural, life, and earth science. These courses are taken along side two years of honors Calculus, hours Euclidean Geometry, and honors Algebra II/Trig.
Throughout middle and high school, students take four years of music, three years of studio art, and two years of honors economics, drama, and poetry.
Notable Faculty
- Instructor in the Humane Letters Paul Boyer, member of the Arizona House of Representatives
- Instructor in the Humane Letters David Wagner, senior writer, Insight Magazine and Washington Times; speechwriter, Department of Justice
Admission
As a public school in the state of Arizona, Veritas Preparatory Academy has no entrance requirements but may cap its enrollment. Interested families must apply for the school's annual admissions lottery, which takes place in the spring of each school year. However, if a family has one child enrolled, any other children automatically receive a spot. Software designed by alumnus Joseph Irvine is used to perform these lotteries randomly. An addition in the 2010-2011 school year was one class of sixth grade.
Coursework
Veritas Preparatory Academy offers an all honors academic curriculum. 9-12th grade students may choose to study Latin and Ancient Greek, French, or Spanish, but the rest of the curriculum is fixed. Students at Veritas Prep exceed all requirements for students graduating from the state of Arizona.
Senior Thesis
Senior students at Veritas Prep must complete a written thesis and defense before receiving a diploma from the school. The Senior thesis is the culmination of the student’s years at the academy. It is a yearlong project completed in addition to the normal course load. The student, under the supervision of a faculty advisor, explores one of the “Six Great Ideas”of humanity (Truth, Justice, Liberty, Equality, Beauty and Goodness) through the close reading of three works from the Western Intellectual Tradition. During spring semester the student produces a 15-25 page paper examining a thesis developed during the readings and discussions with the advisor. The project is completed by a public defense of the final draft of the thesis before a committee of faculty members.
Facilities
Academic Facilities
- The central location of the campus is housed on the Quayle Campus, named after the son of former United States Vice President Dan Quayle, a donor of Great Hearts Academies board member.
- Lund Center for Performing Arts, houses the school's seasonal choir concerts, drama performances, and speeches from visiting guests. Such speakers include Governor Doug Ducey, Russian-American Conductor Ignat Solzhenitsyn, and author Rod Dreher
- John X. Evans Library, houses the Veritas Preparatory Academy Library stacks, as well as serves as a hub for social and academic life at the school.
Athletic Facilities
- Van Brunt Gymnasium, dedicated to a founding member of Veritas Preparatory Academy, is home to the Falcon basketball and State Champion volleyball teams.
- Hall Family Weight Room, named after Great Hearts Academies board member, President and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Derrick Hall, serves as the primary work-out facility for all Veritas sporting teams.
- Full football and soccer fields, south of academic facilities
Student Life
House System
Students take part in a house system. Students are assigned to houses and compete in field days for the house cup. Each house is lead by a senior consul and two proconsuls and representatives comprised of high school students. These groups of students organize athletic competitions, coffee houses, and mentor programs.
Extracurricular Activities
Veritas Preparatory Academy offers over 35 extracurricular clubs and activities. These groups compete in local choir festivals, debate competitions, and the National Science Bowl competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy. There are three newspapers published by these student groups, including a Humanitas Newsletter, Veritas Math Magazine (VM-Squared), and Linguistic Fellowship Publication.
Student Traditions
The Senior Trip is a long-standing and capstone experience at Veritas Preparatory Academy, where students explore together their heritage contained in great art and architecture, scientific and technological marvels, religious, political and cultural achievements in and around the Federal City, Washington, D.C. and in Virginia. It is an exercise in cultivated leisure, a kind for which they have been uniquely prepared. Students engage in mutual reflections on profound things, ideas and reality come together, and as a consequence they learn more deeply Aristotle’s teaching on friendship as shared experiences.
Students newly transferring into Veritas Preparatory Academy, and anyone in need of practicing day-to-day classroom skills enroll in Veritas' Study Skills Workshop and Mentor Program, an event that helps students adjust more effectively to the rigorous academic and cultural expectations and practices of Veritas. Under the guidance of veteran Veritas teachers, students practice essential skills such as organization and time management, math operations skills, note-taking, active and critical reading, and Socratic discussion.
As incoming high school students, all ninth graders partake in the ninth grade retreat, organized and run by upper class-men. At the event, students stay overnight at school and participate in student lead games and leadership building events.
Athletics
For high school sports, Veritas Prep competes in the Arizona Interscholastic Association and is a member of its 1A Conference. Great Hearts operates its own sports league for its junior high students. Veritas is home to over 15 competing varsity athletic teams and nearly 15 junior varsity and middle school teams.
The Falcons have won 5 State Championships in Volleyball and 2 State Championships in Swimming.
References
- "http://veritasprepacademy.org/downloads/VPA_2015_2PG.pdf"
- http://humanitasnewsletter.blogspot.com
- http://veritasprepacademy.org/downloads/VPA_2015_2PG.pdf
- http://www.greatheartsaz.org/about-us-mainmenu-26/leadership-team
- http://www.veritasprepacademy.org/downloads/VPA%20Extra-Curricular%20Catalogue%2020151006.pdf