Renaissance School

Welcome to Renaissance School, a college preparatory high school for high ability students in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities. We emphasize both broad and deep interdisciplinary learning through a balanced program equally strong in the arts and academics. Renaissance School embraces the whole student through differentiated and experiential learning. Renaissance School serves high school students grades 9-12 on either a traditional four-year or expanded 5-year program. Renaissance School has a challenging graduation requirement of 33 credits. On a traditional schedule, this means students take 8-9 courses per year, and some students will complete up to 10 courses per year to maximize the available opportunities at Renaissance School. However, there are many reasons why students may wish to complete their studies over the course of five years rather than four, and at any given time up to 25% of Renaissance School students are on the 5-year studies program. This can be to provide flexibility around the training schedule of an elite athletics or dance program; to facilitate accelerating a grade and embarking on high school early; to accommodate learning differences of twice exceptional students; or to alleviate pressures from physical or mental health recovery, among other reasons. Those who are interested in more information about our unique 5-year studies program are encouraged to reach out to our Director of Admissions at [email protected]. Renaissance students and faculty alike are a friendly community of independent thinkers and learners. There is a mutual respect and appreciation between students, faculty, the parent council and Board of Directors. This support carries into our special traditions including Ninth Week, Arts Practicum, and our two year Independent Study program. We encourage you to explore our website to learn more about these compelling programs. Renaissance School's logo is a dodecahedron. do•dec•a•he•dron [doh-dek-uh-hee-druhn] This dodecahedron was drawn by Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci in 1509 for Luca Pacioli’s book, The Divine Proportion. This three-dimensional symbol represents the interdisciplinary nature of the Renaissance curriculum, the connectedness of the Renaissance School community, and the creativity we bring to our school experience each day. Renaissance School is located in beautiful historic downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. Our central location enables us to have a campus that includes the Jefferson Madison Regional Library, the McGuffey Art Center, Live Arts, Lighthouse Studios, Music Resource Center, ACAC Fitness and Wellness, local galleries, great cafes and restaurants, convenient bus access to UVA and PVCC campuses, and so much more that Charlottesville has to offer.