Our Journey

Vermont Commons School was founded by former Champlain College President Robert A. Skiff, his son Rob Skiff Jr., and Leah Mital in the fall of 1997. With two rented rooms in an office building at 75 Green Mountain Drive and 32 students, a handful of dedicated faculty members set forth to reimagine education in northwestern Vermont.

Key Moments in Flying Turtle History

Each milestone represents a chapter of growth and learning. Our story continues to unfold.

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VCS Over the Years

Group of hikers with backpacks smiling in front of a wooden cabin in a forest
Two boys play catch with a frisbee on a grassy field, with a chain-link fence in the background. An adult man and a young child watch nearby.
Young women performing on stage, dressed in casual attire, with a painted background of a town scene.
Group of young actors in period costumes on stage after a theatrical performance, holding roses, with a painted backdrop of colorful trees.
A music teacher instructs a band of young musicians during a rehearsal or performance, with a drum set, bass guitar, double bass, keyboard, and other equipment on stage.
Six young people sitting outdoors in a forested area, some taking notes or reading, all wearing masks and casual clothing, and surrounded by green trees and rocks.
A classroom scene with two students and a teacher. The teacher is standing, talking, and holding a marker. Th on the left, with red hair in a bun, is smiling and sitting at a desk. The girl on the right, with long brown hair, is listening and gestur
Girls playing volleyball on an indoor court with spectators in the background and championship banners hanging on the wall.
A man standing and speaking to a group of children sitting at a table in a classroom or art room, with shelves behind him filled with papers and supplies.
Children and adults playing or watching a game of foosball in an indoor setting with large windows.
A teacher and two students in safety goggles conducting a science experiment in a laboratory, with beakers, a scale, and lab equipment on the table.
A group of children and adults participate in a climate protest march on a city street. The children are holding handmade signs about climate change and environmental awareness, including one depicting the Earth with the message "the Earth = one CHAN
Group of young adults celebrating on a boat during daylight, with a water body and distant landscape in the background.
Group of children and adults in a room, with some kids sitting on the floor facing each other, and a girl in the middle holding a volleyball. The room has large windows, and some adults are standing or sitting at tables in the background.
A music instructor leads a group of young students playing saxophones during a band practice in a classroom with large windows and a bookshelf.
Four children and a woman are playing a card game at a table in a classroom, with a whiteboard in the background.
Three young men standing outdoors in a snowy area, examining a map together, with a snow-covered structure and trees in the background.
Group of young people and adults holding a colorful welcome sign in an airport, with signs indicating gates, information, restrooms, and services overhead.
Group of kids playing in a pile of colorful autumn leaves in a park.
Person writing on a whiteboard with colorful notes and diagrams discussing political corruption, fall of Rome, poverty, labor shortages, and related historical and political issues.
A group of people on mountain bikes gathered on a forest trail surrounded by trees and hills.
A girls' volleyball team huddles around their coach during a game in a gymnasium.
Group of children standing in front of a wall with Chinese calligraphy and colorful paper decorations.
Group of children and teenagers hiking and posing together outdoors with lush green mountains and trees in the background.
Three young people laughing and talking at a table with electronic components and wires.
Group of young students in gold and black flapper costumes performing on stage at a Zanger Follies show.
A boat with two people on calm water during sunset or sunrise, with the sun low on the horizon and foggy or misty atmosphere.
Group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors, throwing their caps into the air near a sign that reads 'VERMONT COLLEGES SCHOOL' with lush green trees in the background.
Group of diverse people standing and sitting in a room with art on the wall, large window, and indoor plants, engaging in a gathering or meeting.
Three young students laughing and hugging outdoors in a sunny park with trees and other children in the background.
Young student wearing a lab coat and gloves, holding surgical instruments in a science laboratory with lab equipment and a skeleton diagram on the whiteboard.