Carrabassett Valley Academy

Carrabassett Valley Academy
File:CVA logo.jpg
Address
3197 Carrabassett Drive Carrabassett Valley, Maine 04947 USA
Coordinates
Information
Type	Ski Academy
Established	1982
Headmaster	Kate Webber Punderson
Student to teacher ratio	4:1
Color(s)	Green, White
Athletics	Skiing, Snowboarding
Mascot	Big Dogs
Website	www.gocva.com

Carrabassett Valley Academy is a private alpine skiing, snowboard and freestyle academy based in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, at the base of Sugarloaf/USA. Established in 1982, the school has trained and schooled the likes of Olympic competitors Bode Miller, Seth Wescott, Kirsten Clark and Emily Cook. Jeremy Jones, eight-time Snowboard Magazine Big Mountain Rider of the Year, also honed his snowboarding and academic skills at Carrabassett Valley Academy. Since 1982 CVA has produced 11 Olympians, 80 National Titles, 10 X-Games competitors, 19 NCAA and USCSA All-Americans, 28 national team members, and six world champions.

History

Carrabassett Valley Academy is the offshoot of the Sugarloaf Regional Ski Educational Foundation (SRSEF), which began operations in 1969 to help racers and freestylers sharpen their skills for competitive skiing. While the tutorial program was successful, members of the SRSEF and others soon became interested in establishing a ski academy at Sugarloaf in order to allow young athletes to stay in the Western Mountains of Maine rather than attend ski academies out of state.

In the winter of 1982-1983, spurred by H. King Cummings and others, Carrabassett Valley Academy opened its doors for the first time as a five-month, winter-term tutorial program.

CVA's charge was to develop a school for student-athletes based on the Greek ideal of developing equally the body, mind, and spirit. With its initial 15 students, the program was designed to provide young athletes with a high quality college-preparatory academic program while allowing for and emphasizing time on the mountain. The following year CVA relocated to the former Capricorn Lodge as a full-time ski academy and college preparatory program. Since that time, CVA has seen many exciting changes and reached a number of goals and milestones including the first snowboard, big mountain and freeride programs. Following the development of a new campus plan twenty-two acres of land was purchased; a soccer field, 29,000 sq. ft. Antigravity Complex and new residential dormitory have been constructed. Click here for a more detailed CVA historical timeline.

Facts in Brief

Enrollment/students (as of 8/13/2012)

It has an enrollment of 116 students (72% male, 28% female) with 83% boarding and 17% day. 43% receive financial aid.

Faculty The faculty consists of 14 teaching faculty and 15 coaching faculty for a 4:1 student/faculty ratio with an average class size of 17 students.

Notables

• 11 Olympians - 3 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal
• 28 National Team Members
• 72 National Titles
• 10 X Games competitors - 5 medals
• 21 NCAA and USASA All Americans
• 6 Times Best Big Mountain Snowboarder of the Year

Campus

The campus has an area of 25 acres.

• Antigravity Complex (29,000 sf) with trampoline and weight room, skate park with bowl, full court, climbing wall and aerobics room
• Sugarloaf - 2,820-foot vertical drop, the snowfields
• Appalachian Trail and miles of biking and running paths.

Notable graduates and athletes

• Bode Miller - 2004/2005; 2007/2008 Alpine Overall World Cup Champion; Olympic Gold, Silver, & Bronze Medalist,
• Seth Wescott - 2006 and 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist, Snowboard Cross,
• Jeremy Jones - 7 time Snowboard Magazine Big Mountain Rider of the Year
• Kirsten Clark - US World Cup & Olympic Ski Team Member. US National Downhill Champion
• Emily Cook - US Olympic Freestyle Team Member
• Julie Parisien - US World Cup & Olympic Ski Team Member. US National SL/GS Champion