Vineyard Academy LIFE 9/10 Application and Essay Prompts
The Vineyard Academy (VA) is a WHS model 9/10/11/12 Focus Area in which 9/10th grade students
interested in business, culinary arts, event planning, and hospitality work alongside a farm to table
component using technology principles to complete hands-on projects, similar to 11/12 VA.
The 9/10th grade “VA LIFE” is fully integrated into Vineyard Academy and features English,
History and Science. The classes will all use the living laboratory of the H-Quad Garden as a
foundational experience for all VA LIFE activities. Within the VA LIFE 9/10 courses, students may
opt for Honors level. Common Core non-fiction texts capture the enthusiasm of every student who
enters VA LIFE 9/10. The centerpieces of our program encompass the Hospitality-Travel-Tourism
theme within core subjects and the semester-partnered classes of Health and the Hospitality, Travel
and Tourism elective. Students will gain experience in-the-field, visit colleges and local companies
including the business, culinary and hospitality worlds, and widen their vision of career paths which
closely link entrepreneurship, business and the hospitality fields. Your application and essay will
help you focus your critical thinking about why VA LIFE 9/10 is a match for your interests or past
and future experiences. We hope you consider VA LIFE 9/10 as one of your exciting options.
Please Complete This Application, Attach Your Essay & Return with your Course Selection form.
Student Name:
First
Middle
Last
First
Middle
Last
City
______
Zip Code
Parent Name:
Address
Street
Date of Birth:
Parent phone number:
Email of Parent or Guardian
Ethnic Identity:
____________
__________________________________________________________________
X
Signature of Parent or Guardian
____________
Date
REQUIRED: Essay Instructions:
1. Type a one page Personal Essay in which you explain why you are choosing this Academy.
2. Type your name and date in upper right corner of essay.
3. Staple the essay to this application and return with your Course Selection form.
Essay Prompts which may help you write your essay:
1. What’s special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you?
2. What details of your life (personal interests, history, people or events) have shaped you or influenced you that
might help the Vineyard Academy committee better understand you?
3. What personal characteristics do you possess that may improve your prospects for success in the Academy?
4. What skills (for example, athletic, leadership, communicative, creative) do you possess?
5. What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the Vineyard Academy committee to admit you?
Questions: Contact Marie Ganister 707-837-7767 ext 2237, email: mganister@wusd.org
Quote from current VA students:
“The VA teachers make topics interesting and encourage us to dig deeper with thoughtful, fun activities.”
“Our science labs revolve around food and everyone loves to eat!”
“ “I am excited about my future career opportunities and VA is helping me get there.”
“Our field trips with 9,10, 11 and 12th grade in VA are always educational and different.”
“I feel prepared for 11-12 VA, because of being part of this already.”
And from a VA-10 parent:
“I am very glad my daughter is in VA, she is supported and guided by her teachers.”