Military Family Support

List of 12 items.

• About MVS

  Founded in 1964, The Miami Valley School is Dayton’s only independent, non-sectarian college prep school for students in grades Pre-K through 12. The school is renowned for its nationally-recognized Immersion Method, which affirms that students learn best through direct, hands-on experience. 
  
  MVS has earned numerous accolades from national and regional ranking organizations, with MVS being recognized as the Dayton region’s #1 high school, #1 PreK-12 school, #1 school for STEM programs, and #1 school for College Preparation in the 2026 Niche Best Schools rankings.
  
  Learn more about MVS here. 

• Admissions Process

  The Miami Valley School is happy to receive applications from military families on a rolling basis, and know that our priority admissions deadline is February 1. An outline of our admissions process can be found below and at this link. We understand that every military family's situation is unique and we are here to work with you! You can always chat with admissions about specific questions. 
  
  Admissions Process
  

  1. Application Form: To start the admission application process, just click here to access our application platform. While February 1 is the priority deadline, applications are accepted after February 1 and students continue to be admitted into grades in which space remains throughout the spring, summer, and during the school year.
  2. Supporting Documents: After the application form is submitted, supporting documents include a parent questionnaire, recommendation letters, and school records. Applicants to middle and upper schools also submit an applicant statement. 
  3. Optional Student Visit or Video Call: We love for prospective students and families to visit campus prior to starting school! However, we know that an in-person visit may not be possible for relocating military families. The enrollment team is happy to coordinate a video call with MVS staff and other ambassadors. 
  4. Admissions Decision: Admissions decisions are issued by the end of March for applicants with completed application files by early March, and on a rolling basis subsequently.

• Withdrawal Process for Reassignment

  We understand that military families may receive short notice about moving to another duty station. We encourage families to inform the school as soon as possible about an impending move: please reach out to Director of Enrollment Anne Dettmer.
  
  If your family is reassigned during your time at MVS, Anne and the rest of the enrollment team will be your liaison to make the transition as smooth as possible.

• Tuition & Affordability

  The value of an MVS education is priceless. The returns are lifelong. Our flexible tuition program is tailored to match your family’s affordability and make Dayton's #1 school accessible for all accepted students.
  
  To learn about flexible tuition, as well as other initiatives such as our merit scholarship program for new students in grades 6-12 and Ohio EdChoice scholarships, please visit our Affording MVS webpage.

• Graduation Requirements

  The general MVS graduation requirements are outlined below. For new upper school students, your MVS team will work with you to make sure that you are able to meet some version of these requirements that is acceptable for the school and for your unique situation.
  
  

  MVS Graduation Requirements
  
  MVS students must be enrolled in six courses per semester, with the following minimum credit requirements:

  • English (4 credits)
  • Mathematics, through Precalculus (3 credits)
  • Science (3 credits)
  • Visual & Performing Arts (1.5 credits)
  • World Languages, through Level III (3 credits)
  • Social Science (3 credits)

  All students must also take Health and satisfy a Physical Education requirement, either through Physical Education electives or through involvement in athletics.

   

  While this list outlines the minimum number of credits in each department, many students go beyond these requirements, particularly in areas of deep passion. Each academic department offers a variety of electives each semester to encourage motivated students.

   

  Other Graduation Requirements

   

  In addition to their traditional academic requirements, all MVS graduates must satisfy the following:

  • Community service requirement (80 hours over four years in the upper school)
  • Immersion Term courses (one for each year in the upper school)
  • Aries Project: a capstone senior research project based on a student-selected topic. Students must perform original fieldwork as well as primary and secondary source research to support a hypothesis and defend it. Aries Projects are presented to the community in an annual colloquium.

• College Counseling & Outcomes

  Over 60 years ago, MVS was founded as a college-preparatory school to rival the top boarding academies on the East Coast. Today, MVS continues that legacy with its comprehensive college counseling program, which is unique in Dayton. MVS' Director of College Counseling works with each junior and senior to help them chart their path and find their best fit, in addition to providing programming for younger students and their families. To learn more, visit our college counseling homepage here or read our 2025 College Matriculation Report.

• Learning Support

  The Miami Valley School is served by three full-time licensed learning support specialists, one in each of the lower, middle, and upper schools. The Learning Support Team is dedicated to promoting a collaborative approach by engaging with teachers, caregivers, advisors, and students to facilitate the attainment of students' fullest potential through self-advocacy, independence, and self-efficacy. Our goal is to create an inclusive learning environment and promote the acquisition of the necessary resources for students to reach their full potential throughout each step of their educational career.

  
  

  As an independent school, The Miami Valley School is not required to modify the curriculum, provide assistive technology, offer 1:1 classroom instruction, or implement all recommendations in a 504 or Individualized Education Plan. However, the Support Team offers needed accommodations through an individual learning plan that is shared with teachers to support a student’s learning experience within the classroom. To learn more, click here. 

• Rules & Procedures

  The rules, policies, and procedures at MVS are set forward in each division's handbook that is shared directly with families, and the admissions office is happy to share that with prospective families upon request. You may also find this Family Resource Guide helpful.

• Calendar

  The school's Major Dates Calendar for the next school year is finalized during the spring semester. If you would like to see an example of the school calendar, please contact admissions@miamivalleyschool.org

• Transportation

  Public school bus service to and from MVS is available to eligible students in the Centerville and Beavercreek school districts. Routes and availability of transportation are subject to change or elimination by the public school district.

  
  

  To help facilitate the organization of carpools, MVS provides parents with resources to identify families who live near them.

• Parent Association

  All MVS caregivers are members of the Parent Association (PA). There are numerous opportunities to get involved with PA projects over the course of the school year, with all different levels of commitment. Each grade has a Parent Association representative that helps welcome new families, coordinate special programming, and more. Learn more about the PA in the school's Family Resource Guide.

• Athletics, Clubs & Extracurriculars

  Learn more about MVS Athletics here.
  
  Learn more about clubs and extracurriculars here.