View source for Vergennes Union High School

{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox school
 | name                    = Vergennes Union High School
 | image                   = Vuhs 1.jpg
 | imagesize               = 250 px
 | caption                 = VUHS Campus
 | location                = 50 Monkton Road<br />[[Vergennes, Vermont|Vergennes]], [[Vermont|VT]] 05491
 | streetaddress           = 50 Monkton Rd.
 | region                  = Northeastern United States
 | city                    = Vergennes
 | state                   = Vermont
 | district                = 5
 | county                  = Addison
 | postcode                = 05491
 | country                 = US
 | coordinates             = {{coord|44.172062|N|73.244112|W|type:edu}}
 | schoolnumber            = 
 | schoolboard             = Vergennes Union High School Board of Directors<ref name=Handbook>{{cite web |url=http://vuhs.org/psh0708.pdf |title=Parent / Student Handbook 2007-2008 |publisher=Vergennes Union High School |format=PDF |access-date=2007-12-26}}</ref>
 | authority               = The Addison Northwest School District
 | oversight               = 
 | authorizer              = 
 | superintendent          = Sheila Soule, Superintendent of Schools <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.anwsd.org/our-district/superintendent |title=Superintendent Sheila Soule|publisher=Addison Northwest School District |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>
 | principal               = Jody Chamberlin <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vuhs.org/high-school/principal-jody-chamberlin? |title=Principal Jody Chamberlain |publisher=Vergennes Union High School |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>

Colden Golann <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vuhs.org/middle-school/principal-colden-golann |title=Principal Colden Golann |publisher=Vergennes Union High School |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>
 | faculty                 = 44.83 (on [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web |url=http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&SchoolID=500828000350&ID=500828000350 |title=Vergennes Union High School |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |access-date=2007-12-26}}</ref>
 | administrator           = Melissa Wellicoff, Dean of Student Engagement,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vuhs.org/high-school/about-our-high-school |title=About our High School|publisher=Addison Northwest School District |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>
Pete Maneen, Director of Athletics and Activities,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vuhs.org/directory1 |title=Directory|publisher=Addison Northwest School District |access-date=October 24, 2024}}</ref>
 | ranking                 = 3714
 | MOE                     = 
 | ceeb                    = 460460
 | school code             = 
 | us_nces_district_id     = 5000398
 | ofsted                  = 
 | class                   = 14
 | ratio                   = 7.22<ref name=NCES />
 | gender                  = 
 | lower_age               = 
 | upper_age               = 
 | schooltype              = 7-12
 | type                    = [[Public school (government funded)|Public]]
 | enrollment              = 242 (2023-2024)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&SchoolID=500828000350&ID=500828000350 |title=Vergennes Union High School |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |access-date=June 2, 2025}}</ref>
 | age range               = 
 | grades                  = 7-12
 | language                = English, ESL
 | campus type             = Rural
 | hours_in_day            = 7.13 hours
 | conference              = Northern Vermont Athletic Conference (NVAC)
 | motto                   = The Home of the Commodores
 | rival                   = Mount Abraham Union High School
 | mascot                  = Commodore
 | sports                  = Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Cheerleading, Golf, Rowing, Math, and Wrestling
 | patron                  = 
 | team_name               = Commodores
 | nickname                = VUHS
 | school_colours          = Blue and White
 | newspaper               = ''On The Horizon''
 | established             = 1959<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vuhs.org/school.htm |title=Vergennes Union High School History |author=Ann Sullivan |publisher=Vergennes Union High School |access-date=2007-12-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071212101823/http://www.vuhs.org/school.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-12-12}}</ref>
 | status                  = 
 | closed                  = 
 | other                   = 
 | communities             = The Addison Northwest School District (Northern Addison County)
 | feeders                 = Vergennes Union Elementary School, Ferrisburgh Central School
 | picture                 = 
 | homepage                = [http://www.vuhs.org/ www.vuhs.org]
}}
'''Vergennes Union High School''' is a [[high school]]/[[junior high school]] of about 450 students in [[Vergennes, Vermont|Vergennes]], [[Vermont]], [[United States]]. The school serves the city of Vergennes, as well as the towns of [[Addison, Vermont|Addison]], [[Ferrisburgh, Vermont|Ferrisburgh]], [[Panton, Vermont|Panton]], and [[Waltham, Vermont|Waltham]]. This group of towns is the Addison Northwest School District.

==Campus ==
Aside from over 31 rooms, the school's main structural features are a [[cafeteria]], [[library]], [[auditorium]] (renovated 2014), two gymnasiums, a computer center, a wood and metal shop, a chorus room, and an acoustic music rehearsal chamber.

==Student life==
Each student meets in an advisor led daily group called a Morning Meeting with 10-12 other students. Students have the same advisor for the two years spent in middle school and a different advisor for the four years spent in high school. In order for students to graduate, they must create and maintain a Graduation Portfolio that reflects their knowledge, skills, and understanding of particular topics. This is called a Performance Based Graduation Requirement (PBGR). Students who have taken German II or above have the opportunity to participate in a German exchange program that has been going on since 1990. German students from Bochum, Germany visit and stay in student host families in the fall semester, and Vergennes students take a trip to Germany during the spring semester. Students have the opportunity to visit historical landmarks such as the Berlin wall in Berlin, Germany before they reach Bochum, Germany where they are hosted by the same German students who visited in the fall. Spanish students also have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica as a school trip.

The school day runs from 8am-3:10pm.

Performance Based Graduation Requirements:

Personal Learning (PBGR 1)  I understand personal wellness and my own strengths and weaknesses and use this knowledge in identifying goals, setting priorities, managing progress, and planning for my future.

Community Member (PBGR 2) I am an active and contributing member of my local, state, national, and global communities, in which I am working to develop a multi-faceted understanding of myself, of others, and of the natural world.

Research & Inquiry (PBGR 3) I use research and inquiry to acquire, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and ideas from diverse contexts.  I use these skills to explore a variety of issues, justify conclusions, and make decisions.

Problem Solving (PBGR 4) I solve problems and/or conduct investigations using appropriate math and science methodologies.

Reading (PBGR 5) I read, comprehend, and can respond to a variety of texts, and I am an active member of a literate community.

Fine Arts (PBGR 6) I create or perform in, and respond with understanding to, the Fine Arts through purpose, process, product, and growth.

Writing (PBGR 7) I use written communication and appropriate technical language for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Oral Communication (PBGR 8) I use oral communication for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Technology (PBGR 9) I use technology effectively to find, organize, and communicate information for a variety of purposes.

5 Guidelines of VUHS:
1. We are here; we are on time
2. We believe in personal integrity
3. We are respectful
4. We are kind
5. We challenge ourselves

Extracurricular activities include sports, the Commodore Jazz Band, pep band, the Commodore singers choral group, an annual musical theater production, the math team, the Green Team, and the [[National FFA Organization|FFA]].
The Vergennes Union High school band is currently led by director Parker Mann, who has often had students attend music festivals such as Districts, All States, New Englands, and even the all Eastern music festival. The VUHS chorus and Commodore Singers is led by Cailin O'Hara.    
An alternative learning program called the Walden Project takes place in Monkton and is run through the Willowell Foundation.

==Athletics==
The school competes in Vermont Division III, except where noted. Sports include [[cheerleading]], [[lacrosse]], [[Indoor track|indoor]] and [[outdoor track and field]], [[soccer]], [[basketball]], [[baseball]], [[wrestling]], [[golf]], [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]], and [[Cross country running|cross country]] running.

Cross country, indoor track and field, and bass fishing are Division II

===Recognition===
Athletic teams from Vergennes Union High School have won multiple state championships over the years:
*Cross Country Running (5): 1952-53, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1968-69 (Division I)<ref>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_xc.asp Cross Country Running Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704165745/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_xc.asp |date=July 4, 2008 }}, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref>
*Boys' Soccer (1): 1982-83 (Division II)<ref name=Soccer>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_soccer.asp Soccer Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105224900/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_soccer.asp |date=November 5, 2007 }}, Vermont Principals' Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref>
*Girls' Soccer (4): 1983-84, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2006-07 (Division ll)<ref name=Soccer/>
*Boys' Basketball (4): 1968-69, 1984–85, 2000–01, 2012-13 (Division II)<ref name=Basketball>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_basketball.asp Basketball Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221071118/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_basketball.asp |date=December 21, 2007 }}, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref>
*Girls' Basketball (2): 2004-05, 2005-06 (Division II)<ref name=Basketball/><ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=TANP&p_multi=BMAB&p_theme=tanp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10D8A2415C74CA40&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Keeping off floor dulls celebration"], ''[[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]]'', March 23, 2005. Accessed December 25, 2007. "Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of watching the Vergennes Union High School girls basketball team win its first state championship."</ref>
*Cheerleading (6); 1987–88, 1988–89, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2016-17 (Division II)<ref>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_cheer.asp Cheerleading Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704164657/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_cheer.asp |date=July 4, 2008 }}, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2006/acts/ACTR455.HTM |title=Legislative Document - Act of the General Assembly 2005-2006|publisher=[[Vermont General Assembly]] |access-date=2007-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/calendar/sc070329a.htm |title=Legislative Documents - Concurrent Resolution Addendum |date=March 29, 2007 |publisher=Vermont General Assembly |access-date=2007-12-26}}</ref>
*Wrestling (2): 1970-71 (Division I); 1974–75 (Division II)<ref>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_wrestling.asp Wrestling Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807173928/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_wrestling.asp |date=August 7, 2008 }}, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref>
*Baseball (2): 2006-07, 2011-12 (Division II)<ref>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_baseball.asp Baseball Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513213404/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_baseball.asp |date=May 13, 2008 }}, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref>
*Softball (1): 1975-76 (Division II)<ref>[http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_softball.asp Softball Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513213642/http://www.vpaonline.org/champs_softball.asp |date=May 13, 2008 }}, Vermont Principals Association. Accessed December 25, 2007.</ref>

== Bicknell v. Vergennes Union High School ==
In 1979, the Vergennes Union High School Board of Directors ordered the removal of two books,
''[[The Wanderers (Richard Price novel)|The Wanderers]]'' and ''Dog Day Afternoon'', from the school library's collection.
The school librarian Elizabeth Phillips and others challenged the removal in the federal court case
''[[Bicknell v. Vergennes Union High School]]''. A [[U.S. District Court]] judge dismissed the case
holding that school boards had the final authority to determine the inclusion or removal of
works from school library collections. In 1980, the [[United States Court of Appeals]] for the Second Circuit upheld the dismissal.
<ref>{{cite book |last=Reichman |first=Henry |title=Censorship and Selection: Issues and Answers for Schools |year=2001 |publisher=ALA Editions |isbn=0-8389-0798-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/censorshipselect00henr/page/182 182] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/censorshipselect00henr/page/182 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |last=Foerstel|first=Herbert N. |title=Banned in the U.S.A. : a reference guide to book censorship in schools and public libraries |url=https://archive.org/details/bannedinusarefer00foer|url-access=registration|publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2002 |isbn=1-59311-374-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bannedinusarefer00foer/page/87 87]}}</ref>

== Notable alumni ==
*[[Constance T. Houston]], [[Members of the Vermont House of Representatives, 2005–06 session|Vermont State Representative 1993-2006]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vermont-elections.org/2005-2006BioBook/h-add3.htm |title=Vermont General Assembly Members, 2005 |publisher=[[Vermont Secretary of State]] |access-date=2007-12-26}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.vuhs.org VUHS link]

{{Vermont High Schools Division II}}
{{Vermont High Schools Division III}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Public high schools in Vermont]]
[[Category:Public middle schools in Vermont]]
[[Category:Schools in Addison County, Vermont]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1959]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in Vermont]]