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Maumee Valley
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Upper School
(Grades 9-12)
A deep and well-rounded experience
It is easy to identify a Maumee Valley student.
They are independent and curious. They are actively engaged in their learning. And they can be found throughout the Upper School studying, researching, or providing help to peers. Maumee Valley students love to learn, and that passion is evident in everything they do.
In preparation for college and beyond, the curriculum places special emphasis on:
- A strong foundation in writing and research
- Critical thinking and innovation
- Scientific exploration and problem-solving
- Proficiency in world languages and culture
- Collaboration with peers and adults
- Establishing a world view
- Appreciating and engaging in the arts
- Balancing freedom and responsibility
Faculty advisors who give wisdom and support in all areas of school life create a culture of caring and personal attention. From the friendly nature of relationships to the small class sizes, students are known, cared for, and respected in ways that are uniquely Maumee Valley. Daily check-ins and three-times-a-week advisee meetings foster the student-faculty connections that help define the Maumee Valley experience.
All of this in an environment with 8:1 student-to-faculty ratios and where lockers that don’t have locks because the community is built on a foundation of respect and trust.
Outstanding results and opportunities
Although our curricula is not designed specifically to help students pass state testing, our students are nonetheless well prepared for standardized tests. Upper School students consistently score above national and independent school averages on the ACT and SAT. The outstanding core curriculum is complemented by Advanced Placement classes, as well as elective classes, such as Diversity in Children’s Literature, Cultural Anthropology, and International Relations.
Last year 37 MVCDS students were designated as AP Scholars. One qualified as a National AP Scholar, 11 as AP Scholars of Distinction, 5 as AP Scholars with Honors, and 20 as AP Scholars. And innovative opportunities like Intensives, the Seal of Biliteracy Program, and the Global Scholar Certificate also challenge students and prepare them for top colleges. The Upper School develops lifelong learners and global citizens.
Consistently represented at America’s most selective colleges
Excelling in and outside the classroom extends to the college admission process. Because of Maumee Valley’s incredible reputation, a tradition of selective college placement, and the opportunities for students to participate, lead, and engage, our graduates routinely get into their first choice of college.
We annually achieve 100 percent four-year college placement, and the vast majority of our alumni receive advanced degrees.
More than 75 percent of Maumee Valley seniors receive a college scholarship.
Intensives
Upper School’s signature program
The Maumee Valley Intensive program is like no other in the region. Upper School students engage in three Intensive periods of study per year in the fall, winter, and spring, with each lasting three weeks. Every year of a student’s Upper School career rotates between a three-week Intensive and a 12-week rotation.
Why Intensives?
- Experiential learning
- Problem-solving in the real world
- Life-changing experiences
- Travel domestically and abroad
- Cultural immersion
- Professional networking and internships
- Independent study projects
Students select from courses that include on-campus experiences, local and international trips, and independent study projects. By the end of their fourth year, Maumee Valley graduates develop a broad range of experiential knowledge and skills that better prepare them to pursue an education at a more competitive level. Intensives enhance their learning by providing an in-depth study of a topic and allowing further opportunities to explore personal academic pathways while earning academic credit.
World travel
On average, an amazing 70 percent of Upper School students study abroad before graduation, taking advantage of trips to incredible destinations such as France, Ecuador, China, Guatemala, Egypt, South Africa, Turkey, and Thailand.
Life-changing experiences
Students often use these immersion experiences to explore future careers. Intensives have proven to be highly influential in helping students decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives.
Promoting confidence
Intensives promote connected learning, independence, commitment to personal goals, and professional networking as students develop a portfolio of experiences that make them more competitive in the college admission process.
Independent study
Recent independent studies have included medical research, marketing internships, learning about food safety in developing countries, and an introduction to international business.
Advanced Placement
Challenging and engaging
Among the courses offered are both accelerated and multi-disciplinary. Selected students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade can engage in college-level coursework through the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP).
Currently, Upper school students can choose from an extensive selection of Advanced Placement classes such as 2-D & 3-D Design, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese Language, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Music Theory, Physics, Spanish, and U.S. History.
Due to the rigorous nature of our curricula, it is usually recommended that students take no more than three AP courses per year. However, if a student wishes to take a more challenging course load, meetings with advisors and the college counselor are easily arranged. (If a student wants to take an AP exam that isn’t offered as a course, an order can be placed for that exam. However, the student’s test prep will have to be accomplished outside the classroom.)
Last year 46 percent of the 80 Maumee Valley students who sat for Advanced Placement exams last spring were designated AP Scholars by The College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced-Placement (AP) Program Exams. Nationally in 2022, only about 18 percent of the more than 1.8 million high school students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.
Academic Support
Dayal Center for Academic Excellence
The Dayal Center for Academic Excellence (DCAE) provides academic support for all Middle and Upper School students to help them reach their academic and personal potential. In addition, the Center coordinates peer and professional tutoring, provides study-skill assistance, and supports independent study experiences during Intensives.
Tutoring
Scheduled and drop-in tutoring is available to students for all courses in the Middle and Upper School. Tutors may include Maumee Valley students, parents, friends, alumni, and professional tutors. Because the goal is to get students thinking as independently as possible, tutors take an individualized approach. Tutors work closely with student support staff and classroom teachers to design effective support. Tutoring may be scheduled during free periods, lunch, or after school.
Study Assistance
Personalized assistance is available for students in need of developing skills in time management, organization, note-taking, reading comprehension, test preparation, and test anxiety. Emphasis is placed on specific study strategies that are designed to support each student’s learning profile. Sessions are also designed to promote the development of essential life skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and stress management. All students in 9th grade meet with the student support specialist during the fall Intensive and first 12-week rotation. Assistance with study skills may be requested by any student during free periods or after school.
The DCAE Staff
- Coordinates with the school’s educational psychologist, intervention specialist, school counselor, school nurse, faculty, and advisors
- Provides access to help for students with learning differences (outside testing, SAT/ACT/AP accommodations, group, and individual support to develop coping strategies specific to each student’s needs)
- Promotes discussion between students and the director of college counseling to build resumes, set up independent studies, and connect with enrichment programs
- Offers SAT/ACT/AP test preparation
Our Upper School Staff
Jami Barnes
Dean of Academics and Registrar
Upper School Science Teacher
jbarnes@mvcds.org
Brian Bozanich
Upper School Director of Theatre
bbozanich@mvcds.org
Mallory Brazeau
Upper School Math Teacher
mbrazeau@mvcds.org
Charles Brown
Middle School & Upper School Vocal Music Teacher
cbrown@mvcds.org
Colleen Browning-Nyaosi
International Program Manager
cbrowning@mvcds.org
Gracie Chamberlain
Upper School Math Teacher
gchamberlain@mvcds.org
Martha Chandran-Dickerson
Upper School English Teacher
mchandran-dickerson@mvcds.org
Giridhar Chejerla
Biology Teacher
gchejerla@mvcds.org
Dan Cohen
Upper School Social Studies Teacher
dcohen@mvcds.org
Robert Daine
Upper School Math Teacher
mdaine@mvcds.org
Sara Dowling
School Psychologist
419-381-1313 ext. 143
sdowling@mvcds.org
Salena Ferguson
Middle School and Upper School Counselor
sferguson@mvcds.org
Collin Glenn
Assistant International Program Manager
cglenn@mvcds.org
Stephanie Harman
Head of Upper School (grades 9-12)
sharman@mvcds.org
419-381-1313 ext. 151
Kate Fleming
Upper School Social Studies Teacher
Assistant Director of College Counseling
Co-Director of Global Leadership Program
kfleming@mvcds.org
419-381-1313 ext. 237
Trent Hayes
Director of College Counseling
thayes@mvcds.org
419-381-1313 ext. 153
Lynnell Jefferson
Receptionist and Upper School Administrative Assistant
ljefferson@mvcds.org
Cecilia Johnson
Upper School, Middle School, Lower School Strings Teacher
cjohnson@mvcds.org
Kristin Kowalski
Middle and Upper School Art Teacher
Director of the Wolfe Gallery
Fine Arts Department Chair
kkowalski@mvcds.org
Sara Lester
Upper School Humanities Teacher
English Department Chair
Yearbook Sponsor
slester@mvcds.org
Niki McCoy
Director of Residential Life
nmccoy@mvcds.org
Christopher McNulty
Upper School Science Teacher
cmcnulty@mvcds.org
Adriana McNally
Upper School Spanish Teacher
US World Languages Department Chair
amcnally@mvcds.org
Erin McNulty
Upper School English Teacher
emcnulty@mvcds.org
Virginia Morris
Upper School English as a Second Language Teacher
vmorris@mvcds.org
Dan Mumford
Upper School Social Studies Teacher
Model United Nations Coordinator
dmumford@mvcds.org
Kelsy Oberhaus
Upper School Spanish Teacher
Co-Director of Global Leadership Program
koberhaus@mvcds.org
Erin Ohls
Intervention Specialist
eohls@mvcds.org
Phil Paskvan
Director of Technology
ppaskvan@mvcds.orgh
Adam Porth
Upper School Math Teacher
aporth@mvcds.org
Heather Rakosik
Upper School Physical Education Teacher
Assistant Athletic Director
hrakosik@mvcds.org
Andrew Ross
Upper School History Teacher
aross@mvcds.org
Brandon Slotterbeck
Upper School Science Teacher
bslotterbeck@mvcds.org
Jana Smith
Upper School Dean of Students
jsmith@mvcds.org
Bennett Whitaker
Director of Student Support
Upper School Support Specialist
bwhitaker@mvcds.org
Carol Yuan
Upper School Mandarin Chinese Teacher
Upper School Independent Study Campus Mentor
cyuan@mvcds.org
Wei (Vivian) Zhang
Residential Life Associate – Dayal House
wzhang@mvcds.org
Bailey
Support Dog
Headlines from the Upper School
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Erie Chapman ’61 bestows Renaissance Student Award
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Conover Receives The Bruce Brown Award of Excellence
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Cambisios, Bissonette to share memories via Zoom
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Vision and hearing screenings underway
Throughout the fall and as required by state law, the Maumee Valley school nurse is...
