
Students, Families, & Staff
I really don't believe that I would have received this kind of guidance and attention if I were in a traditional classroom setting, because it's not set up for individualized teaching. I feel that this kind of guidance helped me learn resilience and professional skills, as well as life skills to be able to achieve my professional and higher education goals. Whatever path I wanted to take in life, they would help guide me there, and if they noticed I was struggling or on the wrong path they were there to guide me back.
Avalon supported me in expressing myself and exploring my identity as a high-schooler. The project-based model allowed me to dig deeper in academic areas I was more interested in, which ultimately helped me find my niche in the world today! I also feel Avalon was ahead of the curve on supporting and empowering LGBTQIA+ students.
Inclusive, supportive community. Individualized approach to learning.
To this day I think Avalon contributed more positively to my life than any other single institution, educational or otherwise. I arrived there in a pretty rough place, had more or less given up on education and I don't think I really believed I'd even graduate high school. Four years later I graduated - I had rediscovered my love of learning. Avalon rekindled my intellectual curiosity, bolstered my confidence, and helped me remember that I cared about the world and wanted to at least try to make it a slightly less crumby place. Avalon was borderline life-saving for me; words can't express how much I love and appreciate the place.
10/10 would go to high school there again.
I love the small size and the limited amount of stressful transitions year-to-year (keeping the same advisor throughout middle school, high school; being in the same building for 6-12). I love that both of our children have the opportunity to explore their interests and to love learning again. Most of all, I love that both of my children are seen and valued for who they are and are treated as whole complex people.
During my time at Avalon I was always encouraged to learn in a way that was most interesting to me. The focus on independent learning and the guiding of advisors on what could be an interesting approach to learning subjects made Avalon the best school that I have attended. Avalon was a great mixture of structured and independent learning that allowed me to take interesting courses on historical fiction, but also let me take topics into my own hands such as spending a year learning college math and working on making guides to help teach math to my peers in my advisory.
I was given a tremendous amount of freedom and flexibility, both in organizing my time during the day, and in pursuing the core standards in the way I found most interesting. As a student, I was treated as though I was capable of being independent and making my own decisions
My advisors encouraged me to actively engage in the political process rather than sit on the sidelines just because I was too young to vote. As a result, I spent part of my sophomore year working on a political campaign with another student and utilized that volunteer experience towards meeting civic & government standards. One of the candidates we helped to elect won by only a small handful of votes. Avalon empowered us to get involved with our community and helped us to be the change we wanted to see in the world.
Our son has never felt this supported in a school setting before. He feels really seen, heard, and valued at Avalon. When conflicts arise, he feels like there are lots of helpful adults around to support him and yet who also give him space to practice and get better at new social, academic and wellness skills. He has a wide variety of friends and opportunities through Avalon and is absolutely thriving! We can't thank the Avalon community enough for creating this kind of trusting and growth-minded community.
Avalon advisors earned my trust by engaging my passions and interests. They harnessed my strengths and talents to help me explore a world of knowledge and opportunities confidently, and skillfully.
The advisors and staff are committed to helping students which I appreciated. I had a friendly relationship to all and I have throughly enjoyed my time at Avalon!
Inclusiveness!
Our daughter has gained confidence and maturity and is excited to learn.
Flexibility and understanding around mental health needs and my child has been able to be themselves fully without worries around bullying because of how they dress or their sexual orientation.
