On March 16, there was an article about Carrabassett Valley Academy in the Sun Journal. It reported students there have classes and get to ski/snowboard during the school day. There are back-to-back, one-hour classes in the morning, then skiing/snowboarding for four hours between the first two classes and the last two classes.

Some may say the students are getting a break from education by doing those winter sports during the day. Yet, those students study hard for difficult subjects, and with the sports mid-day, they become better athletes and better students academically and socially. Teachers at CVA take teaching to new heights, literally.

Some may think CVA is a way to become a professional skiier/snowboarder and get out of going to college. This is not necessarily true. The kids there get an excellent education, and have the opportunity, if they want, to be athletes and compete in professional tournaments.

Almost all of the students graduate, and there is a four-to-one student teacher ratio.

It may be true the school does give its students a break. Regular schools like CVA don’t have such an exciting break or not even a break at all. Also, fewer classes in a day do upset other students that do not attend CVA.

CVA is a bit different from other schools. It gives students the chance to do the things they love and to receive an excellent education. That is what makes CVA such a unique school.

Ian McCracken