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Forming healthy relationships

Social-Emotional Learning

At MVS, we believe in educating the whole child. Social-emotional learning (SEL) at MVS begins in the early childhood school and continues through 12th grade. In the early childhood and lower schools, students participate in “Friends and Caring” class, taught by school counselors, to talk about managing emotions, forming healthy relationships, and developing empathy. In the middle and upper schools, students meet in small Advisory groups as a regular part of their course schedule, where their faculty advisors provide crucial academic and social support. All the way through twelfth grade, our teachers, advisors, and school counselors create a safe and supportive environment to teach students how to manage their emotions, show empathy for others, develop non-verbal communication skills, appreciate themselves, respect differences, manage conflict, and practice ethical and social responsibility.

In a post-pandemic world, it’s clear that youth mental health is a pressing issue for the children in our lives. At MVS, we grow interpersonal skills and invest in our students’ overall well-being as an essential part of academic and personal achievement.

Advisory in Middle School and Upper School

The MVS Advisory program is a feature in both the Middle and Upper Schools. During a student’s time in that division, he/she will have the same teacher advisor throughout his/her time in that division. This allows for the advisors and students to develop strong mentoring relationships.

Advisory meetings occur weekly throughout the school year and provide opportunities for team building, community outreach and character education. Community service planning occurs in advisory, and community service projects are carried out by advisories. Academic advising is another core component of our Advisory Program, as advisors guide students and families throughout the course selection process. At MVS, advisors are trusted advocates for their students and families.

Health & Wellness

The health and wellness program at MVS is a resource for the community to become more aware of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Our Health and Wellness team is made up of five individuals: our school counselor, nurse, athletic trainer, upper school health teacher, and safety & security coordinator. Students have access to at least two of these resources five days/week and can go to them for mental, emotional, and physical well-being issues as well as emergencies.

School Counseling Services at MVS

Our students’ overall well-being is paramount. In addition to our Social Emotional Learning Program in grades EC-12, we have two full-time licensed professional counselors. Ms. Christie Kemper works with early childhood and lower school students and serves as the Director of School Counseling. Mr. Aaron Lopez is the middle and upper school counselor. Both Ms. Kemper and Mr. Lopez are trusted resources for students who have a special issue, question or concern that may have a negative impact on their overall well-being and academic experience. All students are welcome to visit their offices throughout the day.

School Counseling Team

Our Clubs

Clubs and activities at MVS ignite students’ curiosity and encourages individual interests and passions. A sampling of featured clubs can be found below, and the regularly updated offerings are on Canvas for current parents.

Clubs Available

Lower School Clubs

  • Chess Club
  • Culinary Club
  • Helping Hands
  • Holiday Baking
  • Knitting Club
  • Webby Dance

Community Service

Becoming educated, moral, and compassionate global citizens.

The Miami Valley School’s curriculum fosters in students a deep sense of humanity and a commitment to advancing peace in their community and around the globe.

One of the four core values of MVS is kindness. Learning to practice kindness requires empathetic, compassionate engagement with others in our school, our community, and around the world. We provide frequent and on-going opportunities for our students to practice kindness‚ care, both in spirit and action, about the freedom, dignity, and well-being of others. We are not alone in pursuing this ideal. We partner with companies, not-for-profits, and service organizations in Dayton and around the world which give our students unique opportunities to acquire the experience and tools to make meaningful contributions in service to others.

Giving back to the community is an integral part of the MVS culture and experience. Our Community Service program begins as early as three years old with students in the Early Childhood School. In Lower School, community service projects takes place by grade. For Middle School and Upper School, the Community Service program is more specifically incorporated throughout the year.

Serving others is a core part of who we are. Through service, we challenge students to make a change in their community and in themselves.

We cultivate empathy and awareness of others as we explore issues in our community.
We develop the skills and knowledge necessary to address the needs of our world.
We value the relationships, connections, and impact that result from meaningful service.

Middle School Community Service
Upper School Community Service

As new parents, we knew we had chosen the right place for our children when our third grade daughter was reading Shakespeare, taking multiple immersive field trips, and singing Hindi in the shower – all in the first few months of attending MVS!"

Rhonda & Stephen Chambal, parents of three MVS students

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