Arts

The Arts provide a way for students to understand and appreciate differences and similarities between themselves, their familial cultures, and diverse cultures from around the world. The Arts also provide a path by which we can better understand our dreams and ourselves and communicate that understanding to others. At VIA, students have opportunities to develop their artistic talents in fun and creative ways as part of their regular coursework and school wide activities. Arts appreciation adds a rich background and context to the period during which the art was created. A primary goal of studying the arts is to learn to balance the logical and intellectual with the intuitive and emotional. Ideally, this combination activates our right brain while keeping our left brain engaged, helping us reach our fullest potential in many areas of study and life, and enhancing our self -worth and self-expression. Through the study of art, students examine the motivations and imperatives of the artists. They compare and contrast the artists' themes and approaches with those of their colleagues, and consider symbolism and iconography to better understand the meaning of art. Students also take advantage of the Bay Area's wide variety of artistic venues for comparison and analysis, hopefully become inspired to produce their own master works. VIA's students develop a deeper and more sophisticated appreciation for the arts, while they stretch as artists themselves. Ideas and meaning are central to artistic expression. To facilitate the development of young artists, it is important to introduce them to artistic mediums and techniques on how to use them. In teaching and art appreciation are for students to develop as artists as well as begin to understand the historical context for much of contemporary visual culture of today, from films and television to photography.

Athletics

With a focus on their health and well being, VIA students enjoy participating in a wide variety of sports regardless of athletic ability. Our campus enables students to do soccer and football on the fields, basketball and volleball, tennis and handball courts, and running.

We believe that physical health is a part of self actualization: physical activity, academic success, and brain research physical activity is intimately connected to academic achievement, mental wellness, and success. As VIA students develop mastery of their bodies, they learn that they have power over themselves and what they manifest. VIA students learn to be physically active to maintain balance, refresh, and renew themselves each day. Research has found physical activity to be critical to the development of the cerebellum, the second largest part of the brain. The brain's chemistry also rewards those who exercise by releasing endorphins, increasing optimism and positivity. Physical Activity, Character Development, Stress Reduction and Concentration Regular participation in sports develops sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership and self-confidence. It develops the body, mind, and self-confidence. Absorbed in physical activity, issues and stressors that occupy our thoughts give way to active concentration. Whether the focus is on shooting a basketball or maintaining rhythm while running, our ability to focus is strengthened, and this strength is available to address any challenge we may encounter.

Competition and “Personal Best” Competition can be healthy and fun. At VIA, we strive to instill the highest form of competition- competing against oneself. Athletes call this philosophy “personal best”. In every competition, you are competing only against yourself to beat your best time or performance. Rather than viewing others as opponents, other competitors are seen as a motivational force helping you to beat your own “personal best”. Olympic Athletes and Professional Athletes use the philosophy of “personal best“ to continually improve and maximize their abilities. “Personal Best” is an important component to self-actualization. Self-actualization is focused on growth, not deficiencies. Once students move past feeling and believing that they are somehow deficient, they naturally seek to focus on their potential and desire for growth.

Our campus includes basketball, volleyball, tennis courts and athletic fields. The San Francisco Bay Area also boasts easy access to water skiing, kayaking, rowing, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, snow skiing, snowboarding, swimming, surfing, yoga, dance, weightlifting, and martial arts.