Vail School District weighs future of Vail Academy and High School | News

VAIL, Ariz. (KVOA) — Vail School District leaders discussed the future of Vail Academy and High School on Monday.

District officials said projected enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is 602 students, including 293 elementary students, 201 middle school students and 108 high school students.

Officials said middle school enrollment remains strong, but many students leave before high school for campuses that offer more sports, electives, clubs, fine arts programs and course options. 

Officials said the school was staffed for more than 600 students this year, but actual enrollment reached 557 students, leaving the campus under-enrolled by about 50 students. The district estimates each under-enrolled student costs about $7,800 in funding, adding up to more than $1 million in losses over the past four years.

District leaders said enrollment trends have not shown long-term sustainability, prompting a committee to explore several options for the campus’s future.

The options include:

• Remaining a K-12 campus with reduced high school programming
• Transitioning to a K-8 school
• Transitioning to a K-10 model

A district focus group voted 17-1 to recommend exploring a transition to a K-8 model beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

Several parents and students spoke during Monday’s meeting, with many urging the district to focus on solutions that would encourage students to remain on campus through high school.

No final decision has been made. District leaders said they will continue evaluating which model best fits the campus moving forward.