As you cross the town line into Carrabassett Valley, Maine a sign greets you that reads, "Welcome to Carrabassett Valley, from here on your life will never be the same."
The CVA experience has the same result on its students. Students choose to attend Carrabassett Valley Academy to combine their passion for skiing or snowboarding while receiving a quality college preparatory education in a supportive and structured environment. However, they soon discover CVA provides much more than that. By learning and living in this fast paced and demanding environment, CVA students become independent and self sufficient. They learn to become good time managers with the ability to balance busy schedules. They also learn to assume responsibility for themselves and their equipment and the importance for being responsible for where one lives and for the people around them.
All of this happens because these are intentional goals of Carrabassett Valley Academy’s co-curricular program. Emphasis is not placed solely on academics or athletics but on the balanced integration of the three interwoven circles of academics, athletics and student life. The synergy resulting from these three components is referred to as the "CVA Way". Underscoring all of this is the tenet of the importance of respect: for oneself, others and other people's property.
In the short term, CVA will train a young person to become an accomplished snowsport athlete and will provide them with a solid education that will prepare them well for college. In the long run, CVA will compliment the work of their parents in helping to mold them into people that we are proud of having been associated with. Our CVA alumni bear this out as they find careers, begin families and contribute to society in meaningful ways.
Best regards,
John C. Ritzo
Headmaster
