WHAT DO PARENTS AND STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT RENAISSANCE SCHOOL?

"I love the way the arts are incorporated into the rich, classic curriculum. The teachers are all so amazing. Each day they inspire me to do better, to give to the world, to blossom."

“Renaissance School is education at its best – high expectation of student excellence, small classes, and quality faculty who really care.”

Renaissance School [has] a friendly environment and the students describe it as "one big family where everyone knows everybody and everyone fits in."

Renaissance School is where eager young people can come to learn about themselves: what are they interested in, what do they want to do, etc. Encouraged by the faculty, the administration, and even the other students, each individual is free to explore the world through different lenses, as an historian, a scientist, an artist, a mathematician, a writer, without boundaries.

"Adolescence is increasingly viewed as a period of time to be endured or survived, both by those experiencing it and those who have done so earlier. However, these years are so much more than a stepping-stone. They form the lintel through which our children will pass. Where, how, and with whom our children spend their high school years will matter greatly in what they choose and who they will become decades hence. That is why having our daughter spend this time in an environment like the Renaissance School is so important to us."

"Before I entered Renaissance School, I was an "English person." English was the only class I ever felt comfortable or excited about. Here, with such a supportive peer group and patient, passionate teachers, I feel that I am now an all-around student, with a new found confidence in my own abilities to study and learn in subjects which have always intimidated me."

"The student body is diverse and welcoming. The setting is eclectic and culturally rich, and the emphasis is on rigorous academics – not competitive sports or social climbing. It’s a program that prepares students to think for themselves, to use their time wisely, and still provides ample opportunity for each student to explore his or her passions. Our son Jameson loves music. His brother Sean is drawn to the sciences and theater. And our daughter Madeline wants to study film. Renaissance School supports all their interests through class work and independent study. Their schoolwork is consistently challenging and they really work hard. That’s good! We know they’ll be well prepared for college, and with each graduating class winning more and more college scholarship money – over half a million dollars, in fact – we know that this investment will pay off! It’s so satisfying to see our children happy, maturing, learning to balance freedom and responsibility, and truly loving school. Renaissance School is fantastic!"

“Renaissance School is a wonderful place for independent thinkers to learn and grow. The classes are interdisciplinary, challenging and fun. The students are open, caring, and “cliques” do not exist here. Students thrive on the college prep curriculum and on taking responsibility for their own learning. It’s a place where young adults are well prepared for both college and for life ahead. For me, having lived and worked both abroad and home, “this place is Camelot” for faculty and students. I love coming to work!”

I can’t say that The Renaissance School is the right place for every child, but without a doubt, it has been the right place for my daughter. She had a strong educational foundation from attending several years at an excellent conventional college preparatory school. By her senior year, she needed a change. From the first exploratory interview, sitting around on the sofa talking about government and politics with a small group of the faculty, her interest was piqued. Although she was initially intimidated by the emphasis on the arts, not perceiving herself to have talents in that realm, she was reassured her creativity would be tapped, and she had nothing to fear. I have never seen a student in high school so look forward to attending class. And why not? Daily she is an integral part of a small group, sitting around discussing literature, art, environmental science, and politics in an environment where the student is encouraged to express her ideas, where thinking ‘out of the box’ is the norm. The students are refreshingly unselfconscious. My daughter is infused with enthusiasm about her future. She applied to the only college she wanted to attend and was accepted. The balance between structure and independence has also been a wonderful and unique part of her experience. The setting on the downtown mall in Charlottesville allows the students to wander down the road for a spudnut or take advantage of ice cream specials at a little diner on the mall. As a senior, her classes are deliciously late in the morning, allowing a teenager the much needed sleep that students from many conventional programs are unintentionally deprived of. The faculty has been wonderfully responsive to me as a parent, a real advantage of a school this size. Forgive me if I gush. That is how The Renaissance School experience has been for us.

The Renaissance School is a model of academic rigor and interdisciplinary study which fosters both critical thinking and creativity among many different subjects. The freedoms to experiment, to explore and to question are dearly held principles which we found lacking in previous schools. The dedicated and knowledgeable faculty at Renaissance encourage this academic exploration in a scholarly and thought-provoking atmosphere, making this a great place for serious study infused with artistic creativity and vice-versa. Small classes, individual attention - Renaissance has been an excellent and enjoyable place of learning for our daughter.

A teenage who is polite, engaged, fun to be around, has nice friends, likes and respects his teachers, fills up his leisure time with constructive and challenging activities, and actually does his homework. This isn't to good to be true. Renaissance has made all the difference for my son (class of 07) and I think they can do the same for every teenager. Please call me. I would be glad to talk to any one who is considering Renaissance School, 434-982-5582 (day) 295-3297 (eve).

In the public middle school my daughter felt invisible. At Renaissance School she feels valued and seen. Thank you so much!