At Carrabassett Valley Academy, we know what it means to help young athletes and scholars thrive both in the classroom and on snow. This fall, we are excited to reintroduce the advisory program to serve as a support system for student life and success at CVA.
Before settling into the rhythm of a new school year, CVA students head out on Orientation Trips that take each class beyond campus and into some of Maine’s most memorable places. From paddling and climbing to exploring the outdoors together, the trips give students the chance to build connections before the school year gets underway.
Summer training looked different across CVA’s programs, but the goal remained the same: give athletes meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and prepare for the season ahead. From Action Sports to preseason Alpine camps in Chile and New Zealand, athletes trained across a range of environments and conditions while building toward winter.
After five years, the Taylor Hooton Foundation returned to CVA’s campus to lead an important conversation about the realities and risks of performance-enhancing substances. The nonprofit leads a national campaign to educate youth and their adult influencers about the pressures, misconceptions, and potential consequences surrounding their use.
Kicking off the new school year means CVA has the pleasure of welcoming new staff members to the team. As new faces are added to the community, existing staff are stepping into new roles designed to strengthen our collective impact across departments. With the school year now underway, it’s exciting to finally have everyone together on campus and officially get the year started.
The Big Dog community gathered on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2026 and recognize a group of student-athletes whose time at Carrabassett Valley Academy has been defined by dedication, growth, resilience, and community.
As we head into summer, things are quieting down in the Valley after the excitement of Commencement weekend. Following our end-of-year celebrations for the Class of 2026, our underclassmen are participating in summer academic courses to give them a head start next year.
As the school year came to a close, student-athletes, families, faculty, coaches, and staff gathered for one of CVA’s favorite traditions, the annual Big Dog Awards Luncheon, held this year on Friday, June 5. The event provided an opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate a year of hard work, growth, and community.
Families, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and friends gathered on Friday, June 5, for the annual Senior Banquet to celebrate the Class of 2026 and reflect on the experiences, memories, and relationships that shaped their years at Carrabassett Valley Academy.
Each month, CVA recognizes students who embody the core values of kindness, respect, commitment, and gratitude. The May Student Spotlight Award recipients have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, athletic dedication, leadership, and service to others. Their efforts, both large and small, help strengthen the CVA community and make a positive impact on those around them.
CVA is proud to celebrate three alumni who earned selection to the 2026–27 U.S. Moguls Development Team: Dory Michaud ’23, Chase Littlefield ’24, and Jack Egan ’25. Their selections place them among the nation’s top developing mogul skiers and represent a significant milestone for CVA’s Freestyle Moguls program.
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, there is much to celebrate across campus. Spring is always an exciting time at CVA as we honor the progress our student-athletes have made and look ahead to important milestones still to come.
Carrabassett Valley Academy will celebrate the Class of 2026 during Commencement Weekend on June 5 and 6. The weekend will honor a group of student-athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and growth have left a lasting impact on the CVA community.
CVA is pleased to announce several coaching additions and leadership updates across the Alpine and Freestyle programs for the coming year. These changes strengthen athlete development pathways and reinforce collaboration between the Weekend Program and Academy teams.
For many families, the college application process can feel overwhelming, especially for CVA student-athletes balancing demanding academics, training, travel, and competition. CVA’s College Bound program provides structured, individualized support that helps Big Dogs navigate the process with confidence and prepare for life after graduation.
Driven by a shared mission to elevate the training experience of Carrabassett Valley Academy student-athletes, CVA launched a bold capital campaign to bring its High Performance Center to life.
As we reflect on another exciting year at Carrabassett Valley Academy, we are reminded that the strength of the CVA experience is made possible by our students, coaches, and faculty, and by the generosity of our community.
Each month, CVA recognizes students who live out our core values of kindness, respect, commitment, and gratitude in meaningful ways. The April Student Spotlight Award recipients represent these ideals through their efforts in the classroom, in the dorms, and on the hill, contributing positively to the strength and character of our community.
Congratulations to our student-athletes on a strong and rewarding season. You have represented our community with consistency and determination, showing real commitment to your training, grit in competition, and sportsmanship in how you show up for one another. These efforts reflect the Big Dog values: kindness, respect, commitment, and gratitude.
CVA athletes delivered standout performances across championship events at the regional, national, and international levels. From podium finishes at national competitions to international success on the world stage, CVA athletes demonstrated the depth, versatility, and commitment that define the Big Dog community.
Formal lab report writing has been a cornerstone of the CVA Science Department for many years. First instituted by teachers and published scientists, Karen Lanoue-Egan, M.S., and Shelley Koenig, M.S., this practice now spans the science curriculum.
For more than 40 years, Carrabassett Valley Academy students have partnered with the Sugarloaf Area Christian Ministry to support local families through an annual food drive rooted in service and community connection.
Each month, CVA recognizes students who live out our core values of kindness, respect, commitment, and gratitude in meaningful ways. The March Student Spotlight Award recipients represent these ideals through their efforts in the classroom, in the dorms, and on the hill, contributing positively to the strength and character of our community.
As we approach the end of the winter season, the High Performance Center, an important and transformative project for our school, is nearing completion and ready to open its doors. After months of planning and construction, the space is set to become a central part of daily life for our student-athletes.
This school year, the CVA Foreign Languages Department introduced a pilot Maine Seal of Biliteracy program. The statewide distinction recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language.
As the winter competition season winds down, it offers an opportunity to thank the many volunteers who help make these events possible. Throughout the winter, athletes from CVA, the Weekend Program, and visiting programs from all over have competed in alpine, snowboard, ski cross, and freestyle events across the mountain.
CVA celebrates students who exemplify the values at the heart of our community: kindness, respect, commitment, and gratitude. The Student Spotlight Award recipients embody these ideals through their dedication, leadership, and willingness to support others, both on and off campus.
CVA Big Dogs are having an exciting winter season across Alpine, Ski Cross, Freeski, Snowboard, Freestyle Moguls, and Backcountry programs. From podium finishes and personal bests to skill-building and exploration, CVA students have embraced every opportunity to develop, challenge themselves, and enjoy the mountains.
Four CVA athletes and one coach have been selected to represent Team USA at the 2026 FIS Junior World Ski Cross Championships, March 18–21 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Those athletes are Jamison Hering ’26, of Kingfield, ME; Aidan Butler ’26, of Carrabassett Valley, ME; Sullivan Butler ’24, of Carrabassett Valley, ME; and Morgan Shute ’25, of Allentown, NJ.
Carrabassett Valley Academy prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any member or group based upon age, gender, race, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic predisposition, ancestry or other categories protected by Maine or federal law. CVA does not discriminate on these bases in the administration of its admission process, scholarship and aid programs, educational policies, athletics, or other school-administered programs.