Academic excellence focus of VASJ Town Hall

Improving academic rigor within the school was the focus of VASJ’s Town Hall event on Nov. 17. 

“We need to do all we can to give our students a great experience,” said VASJ President Thomas M. Carone. “Academics has to come first, and that’s the message we want to send.”

Panelists for the town hall included Carone, Interim Principal Lorenzo M. Jones, Dean of Academics Patricia Marxen, Dean of Student Life Michael T. Gavin and Director of Admissions Kellie Watrobski ’03. 

Offering additional AP and College Credit Plus courses will help VASJ stay competitive academically, Jones said, and two academic teams have been created to enhance the academic rigor in the building. 

“I want our students to be ready for the real world. I want them to get out there and say, ‘Wow, VASJ taught me something,’” Jones said.

 
Marxen added there needs to be a focus on critical thinking skills for students, and that VASJ is also looking into partnerships with local schools and businesses.

“We want to make sure we’re building the foundation and that everything is in place so that these programs can be solid and long-lasting and we can continue to get our students to buy in and be involved in these programs,” she said.

Carone and Campaign Director Vince White-Petteruti '69 also provided an update on the school’s Keeping Our Promises Campaign. As the campaign closes in on $5.3 million, the school will look forward to beginning construction, including the creation of a new STEM lab thanks to a gift from White-Petteruti and his wife, Duck. 

“What we’re going to do over the next two or three years is going to change this institution like it’s never been done before,” Carone said. 

The evening ended with a question-and-answer session with the audience. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us! 

To watch the livestream recording of the Town Hall, please click here.