Veritas Academy of Tucson is a private K-12 Christian Classical University Model™ School.
Designed to “encourage a high level of academic achievement as well as strong ties between parents and their children,” Veritas offers a unique blend of homeschooling and campus-based learning. K-6 students are on-campus two days a week between 8:30am-3:30pm and then in their home satellite classroom on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Students in grades 7-10 have three days of on-campus learning and two days at home.
The University Model™ means that students have a university-type schedule. They receive professional instruction at school two or three days a week, then study for their classes at home two or three days a week under a parent’s guidance. In K-3, students have one teacher for the core subjects and separate teachers for the enrichment classes of art, music, and PE. From fourth grade and up, students have multiple instructors for different subject areas – math, grammar & composition, literature, latin, music, art, science, history, logic, rhetoric, and physical education.
Because Veritas follows a classical curriculum, they utilize the Trivium, an educational method consisting of three phases: grammar, logic, and rhetoric, corresponding to the three main stages of childhood development. For example, the grammar phase (K-6) emphasizes the mastery of basic facts and memorization in the core subjects. Ask any child at Veritas to recite a poem, a piece of scripture, or a history song – and you’ll find they are more than capable! Even the Kindergarteners!
In addition to math and language arts, all students also take music and art across all grade levels. In K-2, students focus on voice and rhythm. 3rd graders learn recorder. All students take Strings in 4th and 5th grades (either violin or guitar), Student-Produced Opera in 6th and 7th graders, and Choir in 8th-12th. There is also a phenomenal art program with different focuses for each grade level (exploring mediums, famous artists throughout history, watercolor, portraits, sculpture, etc.).
Latin is taught in grades 1-10+. Song school Latin starts in First Grade. Formal instruction starts at Third Grade. High school students can opt to take AP Latin.
Most Veritas students are a minimum of one grade level ahead in math and in all other subject areas (example: all 1st graders take Saxon 2).
Veritas students tend to excel in academics, athletics, and in the arts. Even so, the Head of School and board members are quick to point out that what matters most is that the children love God and love others. The goal of a University Model™ School is to develop college-worthy lifelong disciples of Christ.
Type of School: private, Grades K-12
Accreditation: Veritas is accredited with University-Model™ Schools International (UMSI) and is a member of the Association of Christian Classical Schools (ACCS), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), Christian Schools International (CSI), and AdvancEd.
Location: Currently meeting at Book of Life Community Church, 2151 N. Palo Verde Blvd., Tucson.
Number of students: 185
Student/Teacher ratio: Roughly 10:1 in K-2 and 11:1 for 3rd-12th
Distinctives:
Admissions: The Admissions process is designed to thoroughly inform our prospective families so that they understand the Mission and Vision of Veritas, as well as understanding the nuts and bolts of the unique partnership between home and campus classrooms. Families will discover whether Veritas is the right fit through school info meetings, optional enhanced school tours, a family interview, and student assessments.
Tuition: Annual tuition rates are as follows -
Uniforms: Yes
Bus service: No
Cafeteria: Students bring their own lunch.
Foreign language: Latin in grades 1-10+; Spanish/French in high school.
Kindergarten: Full-day, T/TH only, 8:30am-3:30pm. MWF are satellite home instruction days.
Sports: Physical Education is part of the school curriculum through grade 8. Veritas Academy also offers sports for 6th-12th grade students – soccer, volleyball, basketball, fencing – through the Tucson Independent Athletic League.
Clubs: Clubs and extracurricular activities vary each year. Past offerings have included: First Lego League Robotics Team, ballet, tap, tennis, Latin Club, Chess Club, Girls On The Run, handbells, and strings ensemble.
Teachers: Veritas focuses on hiring teachers who love Jesus, love students and love their subjects; in that order. Veritas teachers are experienced teachers with a high level of training, especially in their area of expertise. Over one-third of the staff have Masters degrees.
School Hours: 8:30am-3:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for K-6; 8:30am-3:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for grade 7-12
Social Media: Follow Veritas Academy of Tucson on Facebook and Instagram.
LEARN MORE about Veritas Academy of Tucson.
