About

Who We Are

Becoming Dayton's Premier Independent School

Since 1964, The Miami Valley School has challenged young people of promise to become self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens. At MVS, students discover their true passions in an empowering learning community that encourages young people to express themselves.

The Miami Valley School student body represents the diversity of the greater Dayton area, drawing students from 50 local ZIP codes and 7 foreign countries. 49% of MVS students identify as students of color, and 49% of students receive flexible reduced tuition.

MVS’ alumni base is rich with political leaders, Broadway performers, award-winning actors, entrepreneurs, global thinkers, CEOs, scientists, and industry leaders, all of whom were helped along the way by passionate faculty and staff. The school’s nationally-recognized Immersion Method is a signature pedagogy affirms the shared belief that students learn best through direct experience, encouraging students to engage with real-world issues and find their place beyond school. 

MVS is Dayton’s only independent, non-sectarian college prep school for students in grades Pre-K through 12. The school has earned numerous accolades from national and regional ranking organizations, with MVS being recognized as the Dayton region’s #1 high school, #1 PreK-12 school, #1 school for STEM programs, and #1 school for College Preparation in the 2024 Niche Best Schools rankings.
You don’t just come to MVS.
Here, you become.

Quick Statistics

List of 6 items.

  • 1964

    School Established

  • 501

    Total Students

  • 7

    Students from 50 ZIP Codes and 7 foreign countries

  • 6:1

    Student-Faculty Ratio

  • 100%

    College Acceptance

  • 73%

    of upper school faculty hold advanced degrees

The MVS Mission

To challenge young people of promise to become self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens.

Accreditations

The Miami Valley School, a registered non-profit organization, is accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States and is chartered as a college preparatory school by the State of Ohio. It is a member of both the Ohio Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools.

Membership is also held in the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling.

Core Values

List of 4 items.

  • Integrity

    We practice integrity in all that we do to build an environment of honesty, honor, and trust that affirms the dignity of our work and of our fellow human beings.

  • Celebration

    We celebrate individuality, encourage acceptance and open-mindedness, nurture diversity, and ensure equality for all.

  • Grit

    We demonstrate grit, both in and out of the classroom, as we persevere, move forward, and pursue our goals.

  • Kindness

    We practice kindness, and treat ourselves and others with empathy and compassion.

The Immersion Method

The Miami Valley School’s academic program is guided by the school’s signature pedagogy, the MVS Immersion Method. The Immersion Method is grounded in our shared belief that learning is rooted in direct experience, which leads to engagement and the discovery of passion by each individual student. At MVS, teachers serve as guides and collaborators rather than lecturers, and deep knowledge of concepts is privileged over rote memorization.

Everything we do at The Miami Valley School is carefully sculpted to create a community of student and adult learners who are supported in pursuit of their individual passions. Our faculty and staff collaborate with students to help them pursue the information they are curious about.

In keeping with the principles of the MVS Immersion Method, The Miami Valley School phased out Advanced Placement® courses beginning in 2017. Instead of submitting to a curriculum that privileges test prep over authentic education, MVS teachers create dynamic opportunities for real-world learning and academic achievement in a one-of-a-kind school environment. At MVS, our advanced courses are designed to replicate the experience and small-group dynamic of a college-level seminar, favoring depth over breadth in course content.

Satya Morar, Class of 2019

My 13 years at MVS are 13 years with family. I feel that the spirit of MVS is its students, but the heart is its faculty. At no other school do the teachers have such a personal interest in your success. They are the promoters of the immersive method, showing us the knowledge gained from discovering and experiencing something versus memorizing it. Outside of class they are there too, supporting students at sporting events and meeting outside of school to finish projects.

Our Campus

Nestled in a quiet, safe suburban neighborhood, The Miami Valley School’s campus is continuously growing and changing to better serve our community of learners. With multiple outdoor learning labs, extensive athletic facilities, Makerspace, Computer Science, and Robotics labs, and more, The Miami Valley School is unlike any school in the Dayton area. The best way to learn about MVS? Come visit us!

Campus Facts:
  • 22 Acre campus
  • 1 Sustainable environmental greenhouse
  • 1 Outdoor Exploration Center & Bird Blind
  • 1 State-of-the-art Makerspace
  • 45 Classrooms and labs
  • 1 Theatre
  • 2 Gymnasiums
  • 6 Tennis courts
  • 1 Turf athletic playing fields
  • 2 Grass athletic playing fields

Portrait of a Graduate

Students graduate from The Miami Valley School with their curiosity kindled and passion ignited. Here, graduates become…

List of 4 items.

  • Explorers

    MVS graduates become resilient, passionate explorers, diving deeply into diverse areas of interest. Through the distinctive experiential curriculum and independent research opportunities promoted by the MVS Immersion Method, students become prepared for a lifetime of self-sustaining learning, independent thinking, and persistent flexibility in a changing world. Students practice risk-taking, determination, and perseverance in preparation for navigating their post-MVS journeys.

  • Creators

    MVS graduates become experienced, real-world problem solvers in pursuit of the common good who have shared their work with a wide variety of audiences throughout their academic careers. Here, students find their voices, nurture their individuality, and turn their thoughts into actions. Students are encouraged in their curiosity and empowered to make an impact with their projects, preparing them for college, career, and life.

  • Stewards

    MVS graduates become considerate, constructive stewards of their environment and themselves. Here, students practice reflection and contemplation not only in terms of their academic learning, but also in terms of social and emotional care. Due to the values instilled in the intimate learning environment of MVS, our graduates understand the value of protecting and nourishing the people, places, and things around them while contributing positively to their communities.

  • Cultivators

    MVS graduates become creative, caring cultivators, bringing together both ideas and people. They find their networks, build healthy relationships, share their ideas effectively, and listen compassionately. During their time at MVS, students learn to engage with a multitude of perspectives, synthesize information from diverse academic disciplines, and collaborate with both peers and adults. MVS graduates leave our halls schooled in the MVS mission of compassionate global citizenship and prepared to flourish in a multifaceted global community.

Diversity Vision Statement

The Miami Valley School established its foundational beliefs in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice over 60 years ago. We actively pursue a diverse culture and strive to embrace diversity in all its forms as we develop the next generation of compassionate global citizens.

Our standard is the inclusion of all individuals regardless of, but not limited to, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, political affiliation, family composition, socioeconomic status, and neurodiversity.

We believe that the diversity of our community enriches all lives. As lifelong learners, MVS seeks to equip our teachers, students, and staff to successfully navigate and actively contribute to the greater good of our pluralistic world.

Drafted by the MVS Diversity Task Force and approved by the Board of Trustees in 2024.

The Miami Valley School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by law in the administration of its employment, enrollment, or educational policies, tuition assistance programs, financial policies, or other administered programs.

Our History

Founded in 1964, we have educated students that have gone on to be everything from CEOs to Oscar-winning actors. Explore our decades-long journey of immersion and discovery.
Learn More About Our History

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