SVCS House System

 

The SVCS House system was established to further the school's mission in grades 7 - 12 through the formation of small communities within the Upper School student body. Within these Houses, students have opportunities for fellowship, leadership, service, healthy competition, and mentoring by faculty members and older students, ensuring that students know each other and build relationships across grade levels in the regular life of the Upper School community. Each year, rising seventh graders and new SVCS students are inducted into Houses, where they will remain members throughout their House experience.

 

The House System also provides the basic structure for the formal student leadership of the Upper School. Each House has a House Captain who leads the House and works together with their House Governors (adult volunteers) and leaders from other Houses, faculty, and administrators to oversee many Upper School activities. Teams of additional student leaders from the Houses collaborate to organize and execute inter-House activities—things like socials, service projects, and competitions—as well as to lead intra-House mentorship and fellowship.

 

By providing this structure, House System encourages students to bring their desires, ideas, and talents into the life of the school - we want them to shape the identity of the Upper School and leave their mark on it. The Houses allow for real responsibilities, actual participation, and the possibility of absolute failure. Students learn to work together through healthy competition and shared goals, solve problems, initiate new ideas, and participate in meaningful traditions. 

*Competition Between the Houses: Of course, much of the impetus behind the system is ongoing friendly competition. Houses earn Character Points for Initiative, Community, and Hard Work and points from House competitions. Each quarter, the House with the most points gets to go on a" House Trip."  At the end of each year, one House will win the “House Cup.”