activities · 12
what they do
direct service · 11
- Academic and personal development coaching School-Based Mental Health & Life CoachingProvides weekly 1:1 coaching sessions covering academics, social-emotional well-being, and personal goals, alongside weekly team meetings for student accountability and peer support.
- College credit acceleration program Dual Enrollment & College Credit ProgramsEnables all students to begin earning college credit in 9th grade through a partnership with Arizona State University, with opportunities to accumulate credits before graduation.
- Community engagement and volunteer programsOffers opportunities for external individuals to participate in business calls, lunch volunteering, and coaching calls with the school, fostering community involvement in student development.
- Financial aid and scholarship support Targeted Educational ScholarshipsOffers need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships to support student enrollment and accessibility.
- Innovative academic scheduling and instruction Religious-Integrated Secondary EducationStructures the school day with a 4-hour morning block for academics using 2-hour learning blocks for STEM and Humanities, incorporating online college courses, AI-driven curricula, and project-based learning.
- Life skills application and experiential learning Internship and Student Housing SupportEnsures all learners apply life skills learned in school to real-life situations outside of school, reinforcing practical, hands-on development.
- Organizational capacity and growth Residential Dormitory OperationBegan operations with 24 students and 2 educators, grew to 30 students and 4 staff by the end of the first year, and served approximately 50 students with 5 staff members in its third year, reflecting steady institutional growth.
- Student enrollment and onboarding supportProvides access to DreamBuilder AI, Starter Kit, and Explorers Group for prospective families upon form submission, along with personalized onboarding and mentorship for new students transitioning from traditional schools, homeschooling, or other alternative education models.
- Student meal program with experiential learning Nutritious Food Access & Education ProgramOperates a community-based meal program where students cook lunch weekly in rotating teams under certified staff supervision using food from St. Mary’s Food Bank, integrating practical life skills into the school experience.
- Student success outcomes tracking College Preparation & Empowerment ProgramsHas achieved a 100% college acceptance rate for graduates over the past three years, demonstrating strong post-secondary outcomes.
- Transportation assistance for students School Transportation ServicesProvides free public transportation cards to students in need for use on the Phoenix Metro bus system to support access and attendance.
capacity building · 1
- Pilot programs and curriculum developmentPiloted its Purpose and Life Curriculum in 4 different high school classrooms and hosted its first summer camp to test and expand educational offerings.
strategies · 6
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- AI-augmented personalized learning AI_paced_learningLeverages AI-powered tools and DreamBuilder AI to accelerate individualized learning, support goal achievement, and engage learners through adaptive, technology-enhanced academic experiences.
- Accredited college-preparatory curriculum college_preparation_through_accredited_curriculumImplements an accredited curriculum designed to prepare students for college and career pathways, integrating academic readiness with long-term success planning.
- Holistic admissions and community collaboration holistic_admissions_community_engagementAdopts a holistic admissions process emphasizing personal interviews and student goals over standardized testing, while fostering community engagement to strengthen student outcomes.
- Learner-driven, Montessori-based education learner_driven_montessori_educationA student-centered approach rooted in Montessori principles, where learners self-direct their education through hands-on, collaborative, and project-based experiences, with faculty serving as guides and mentors.
- Mastery and project-based learning with real-world application mastery_based_project_learningAdvances learning through mastery-based assessment and self-paced, project-based curriculum that integrates academic concepts with real-life applications and community engagement to build critical thinking and resilience.
- Personalized coaching and goal setting personalized_coaching_with_goal_settingSupports students through 1:1 coaching and structured frameworks like modified SMART goals and backward design from a future vision to translate aspirations into actionable academic and personal milestones.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Community Engagement
Involves field trips, guest speakers, service learning, and community projects that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.
DreamBuilder AI
AI-powered tool that helps students create 20-year life visions, set SMART goals, and receive ongoing support in building their dream lives.
Life Skills Program
Teaches financial literacy, social-emotional learning, physical health, and workplace skills such as typing, email etiquette, and resume writing.
Success Curriculum
Program focused on purpose development, goal setting, and personal mastery, including Dream Vision, quarterly goals, and weekly 1:1 coaching sessions.
relationships · 13
who they work with
- 4.0 Schools Partner — Founder Andrew Lee was accepted into 4.0 School's Essentials Fellowship and later Vita completed 4.0 Schools' New Normal Fellowship and Pathways Fellowship.
- A for Arizona Funder — Received $80,000 from the Innovation Fund from A for Arizona to pilot Vita's first year.
- Arizona Department of Education Government — Administers the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program that funds student tuition at Vita High School.
- Arizona State University Partner — Partner institution through which students can earn college credit before high school graduation.
- Arizona State University Partner — Partnership enabling Vita High School students to earn college credit starting in 9th grade.
- Edkey Partner — Partners with Edkey, where students enroll with Sequoia Choice (an accredited online charter high school within Edkey) but attend Vita's programming.
- High Tech High Partner — Vita was accepted to High Tech High's New School Creation Fellowship.
- Life School of Atlanta Partner — Founder completed a school founding apprenticeship at the Life School of Atlanta.
- STO4Kidz Partner — Partner organization through which families can access tax credit scholarships (STO) to fund tuition at Vita High School.
- St. Mary’s Food Bank Partner — Provides food for Vita High School's community-based meal program where students cook with certified staff.
- Teach for America Partner — Founders Andrew Lee and Rio Stinger served in Teach for America, earning M.Ed's and teaching certificates.
- Vita High School Partner — Operated by VITA EDUCATION FOUNDATION as part of its educational programming.
- Vita High School Partner — Operational partner or affiliated program of VITA EDUCATION FOUNDATION