CVU's
RISE
Program

HISTORY OF RISE

In 2019, CVU High School launched a new program called RISE. RISE stands for Reflective Interest-based Student Experiences. In its current iteration RISE takes place during the last two weeks of the school year. As we approach the end of May, everyone in the building at Champlain Valley Union High School shifts gears from our more typical high school experience to a schedule and curriculum where students are able to do a deep dive into areas of personal interest.

During these two weeks, students have choice in what type of learning they want to do with their days at school. The majority of students sign up for courses that teachers have created based on input and feedback from students in the past. These courses range from physical activities (canoeing, biking, cross-country running, contemporary dance) to community service (working with the New Community Project in their garden, becoming a blanketeer for Project Linus) to just plain fun (Rock Band, French Cabaret, Lego Theory). Some students choose to create Independent Studies and some enroll in courses at local colleges.

The unifying factor in all these learning experiences is the focus on student interest. For these two weeks, CVU prioritizes student exploration and encourages students to move outside of their normal paths.