Otter Valley Union School is a place where reflective teaching and learning leads to high expectations for all students, creating enthusiasm for knowledge and encouraging success in the global community.  We seek international students who are motivated to live and learn in a highly immersive setting in a small community surrounded by nature and the changing seasons. Our small faculty to student ratio of 13:1 allows for personalized attention, both at the academic level and with student support systems.  Our health and guidance offices provide services from highly credentialed staff ranging from medical assistance to mental health support, to guidance around academic course selection and college applications.

Otter Valley Union School is a public middle and high school serving just under 600 students in grades 7-12 from the communities of Brandon, Pittsford, Leicester, Whiting, Sudbury, Goshen, Florence, Forestdale, and Chittenden, a collective population of about 9,000 people. It is situated in Brandon, Vermont with a quaint downtown and a growing arts community, surrounded by picturesque mountains and nearby lakes and streams.  We boast a unique experiential outdoor education program with nature trails right in our backyard. In a public institution, you will find an environment of highly qualified teachers who embrace all types of learners and personalities.  Our school does not exclude any type of student and is therefore a reflection of authentic American culture.  We embrace and pride ourself on our differences.  International students may attend for a semester or one year, and we offer support throughout the college application process for those who wish to stay and transfer to college or university upon completion of our academic program.

Classes at Otter Valley are designed to expose students to a wide variety of knowledge useful for careers and further education. Students follow a 4x4 block schedule. Certain courses which are deemed more academically challenging have been designated with extra weight, taken into account in the student’s overall grade.  These classes include: English Literature 10 & 12, American Studies 11, Advanced American History 1, Advanced Behavioral Science, Geometry, Algebra 2, Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus & Discrete Math, BSCS Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, World Language 2 & 3, AP Literature 12,  Advanced American Studies 11, AP European History, Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and World Language 4 & 5.  Otter Valley has a wide variety of courses with a strength in Arts and Music.  Reference our course catalog and school website for more information:  http://ovus.rnesu.org/international_students

“What I like best about being here is I can experience a very different culture. Teachers here are super nice, they will do the best they can to help you solve the problems...What I like Vermont the most is the quiet environment. I live in a very big city in China, I kind of get bored with the crowded and noisy sounds from street everyday. I enjoy staying in Vermont very much, because it is so quiet that I can focus more about the things I want to do.” ~Kexin Qian (Cathy), international student

“Having Cathy has been a great experience; she is a part of our family.  It’s been great sharing cultural experiences.” ~Chloe (host sister)