Testimonials

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.

Avalon really gave me the tools to be a productive adult, advocate for myself and take learning into my own hands. When I was going through middle school I really struggled with public schooling, so when I made the move to Avalon I learned how to excel at what I do best and use project management skills to my advantage in my future.

Our son has finally become invested in his own learning... it's incredible!

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.

I feel like being able to learn my own way empowered me to develop into the truest version of myself.

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!

Inclusive community, student-led learning, amazing support of the staff

Avalon and its staff were excellent at preparing me for the independent learning and work output environment that students should expect in higher education and most professional settings. They pushed me to reach my potential by guiding to me areas where I could excel and be recognized for that achievement.

Avalon encourages students who are committed to learning to meet and exceed their goals. For example, I graduated with almost 50 credits at the end of my senior year. I frequently exceeded my goals on the time I spent working on my learning through projects.

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.

I always tell people I wouldn't have graduated on time if I hadn't gone to Avalon.

The small size allows for a lot of personal connection with and support from staff and for our son to have developed a solid group of friends, which he didn't have in his old school. I like the way academics are explored and how students are encouraged to think for themselves and take responsibility for their own learning to a good extent. The school feels like a real community, involving families in the school culture.

I love the relationships I get to build with students and families over time - it is so rewarding to see such growth!

My education at Avalon didn't just encourage, but required me to be thoughtful in planning our projects and holding myself accountable for deadlines and deliverables while also stoking the fires of general curiosity.

Avalon has been committed to student empowerment by giving students a choice of how they learn. Some students learn best in a classroom, and some learn best working on an independent project. Avalon gives students that choice. Avalon advisors also empowers students by going by their first name. This puts students and advisors on a more equal level, so students can see advisors as part of their community instead of someone who simply has authority over them.