About VVS

Native American Studies

From its inception, Verde Valley School has been committed to the fundamental value of diversity and intercultural education. Among the school's earliest faculty and students were individuals who brought to the life of this community the variety - and depth - of their own experiences from cultures and countries far removed from mainstream American experience, whether Navajo or Czech, Hopi or Polish, Laguna or Guatemalan, Apache or Egyptian.
 
From the beginning, VVS has drawn on the rich and diverse heritage of Native American peoples, including a steady stream of Native American students participating in the school's daily life and learning. The first field trips included the Four Corners region, where students and faculty spent time learning and working in Native American communities. The tradition continues with many field trips focusing on Native American communities and course work addressing the history and culture of Native Americans.
 
On campus, approximately 10 percent of the student body is of Native American heritage. Two scholarship funds have been created to support talented and financially needy Native American students at Verde Valley School. And a recent endowment of $1.7 million to establish The Francis and Helen A. Berry Memorial Fund at Verde Valley School has made it possible to provide additional scholarships to Native American students and to support Native American studies and related programs at VVS.