The Miami Valley School in Dayton | Military Town Advisor

Posted: May 23, 2026

Our youngest child who is now a rising 10th grade at the Miami Valley School - he joined in Middle School (7th grade) from a previously well performing public school. The immersion method of education and the deep dive into subjects brings the most interesting, challenging and rewarding framework we could have wished for in his studies.

The educators are incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated to their students' growth and learning. High Schoolers are taught to think critically, communicate articulately, explore their interests, and value community. The students respect their peers and the embrace differences of well thought out viewpoints.

There are so many paths available in core classes, clubs, teams. Both my student and myself as a parent had culture shock on how welcoming, and inspiring the educators and staff are and how supportive they are of student growth.

Highlights: Immersion Methodology, highly motivated faculty with specific subject expertise, January Immersion Term which involves domestic or international travel, ethnic and religious diversity in peer group including international students.

Negatives: Can feel a bit cliquish but that was more a matter of stereoptypical Middle Schooler development and that settled down by high school.
If interested, you can take an in-depth tour and your student can attend class for the day paired with a MVS student in their grade and similar interests. If you have any preconceived ideas of MVS , the new school leadership of three years ago has reinvigorated the school and faculty.

Posted: May 18, 2026

As a parent of a graduate and a current student I can say that MVS has been the right choice for my family. The base curriculum is strong and the opportunity and support for those that want to explore outside of the standard academic areas is wonderful. I am happy with the experience provided to my children.

Posted: May 18, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

We are the parents of a 2024 graduate and a current 4th grader. We have experience with public school and homeschooling, and have chosen MVS because we like the small community feel, the beautiful campus, and the immersion method that is built into all aspects of their curriculum. We feel like we can draw a straight line from our son's robotics experience and the mentors he had to his current success as a Purdue Electrical and Engineering student on full scholarship. The college counseling experience was exceptional. Our daughter has already had hallmark experiences through choir, sports, theatre, and immersion. We've made life-long friends and really feel at home at MVS. Sports at the school have historically struggled because of the small size, but they are putting some good things in place now and we are excited to see those programs grow. No school is perfect, but MVS is a really special place, both rigorous and welcoming. It has an incredible new dining experience where they provide a full menu of healthy choices, my daughter likes nearly everything and I don't have to pack lunches anymore. There are so many more opportunities available even from a very young age at MVS than other schools in our area. Immersion trips, foreign language starting in preschool, fine and performing arts from 1st grade, the outdoor education Z-lab greenhouse, makerspace and so much more.

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: January 3, 2026

I am an Upper School student at The Miami Valley School, and I have discovered that I am in a place where students are taught to be independent thinkers and to value their education. Teachers are not only passionate about their subject, but eager to teach their students. There are many clubs available, such as JustWrite, Math Competitions Club, Model United Nations, Black Student Union, and even UNO Club, and they are all catered to the interests of the students. Students are given the opportunity to create clubs in Upper School. In addition, students of all ages have the Immersion term. On Immersion, students spend all of January focusing on one topic and traveling around the United States and the entire world to learn more about their area of focus. Upperclassmen even have the opportunity to create their own Immersion. Immersion has taught me many valuable life skills and has given me chances to practice real-world scenarios that will prepare me for my future. Lastly, I transferred at the beginning of last year and I felt that, both socially and academically, the switch to MVS was comfortable. Students instantly welcomed me into their friend groups and we started hanging out outside of school early in the year. I felt challenged in my academics, but teachers made sure to help me catch up in areas I lacked in because of my previous school. Overall, the Miami Valley School is a great place for becoming a better learner and a better person, and I believe I have grown in both areas because of my time here.

Posted: November 17, 2025

As a current Sophomore at The Miami Valley School, I feel happy and hopeful of how prepared I am for future years of continued education, and feel especially ready for college. Boasting now a full time college counselor, I feel confident that wherever in the nation, or out, I aspire to be a student at in the future, I will be welcomed with open arms. As for MVS, I love the community, classes, and overall school. But as the most outstanding part of the school, I have to cite the community. The parent involvement, friend groups, clubs, and classes are all so welcoming and supportive. I think our school's slogan, "Students don't just come to The Miami Valley School. Here, they become," really sums it up quite well. MVS offers a program that supports the holistic child, truly. And the Immersion program! Although prospective families may be hesitant taking all of this from a 15 year old, I urge you to take the chance and just try it out. MVS won't disappoint! Thank you!

Posted: October 23, 2025

My daughter always has something good to say about her day at school---I feel like we are learning new things right along with her! We have had great experiences with teachers and staff members. Very hands-on curriculum with lots of projects---I love visiting the school to see the kids sharing their work when they have presentation days!

Posted: October 23, 2025

Posted: July 10, 2025

I am a student here now and i think its a great school because it has great education and it will make you want to learn more about that subject. This school also has good safety there because ive been there since preschool and weve never had an invasion and we always have a fire drill and Alice drill every month just in case.

Posted: April 5, 2024

It's important to keep in mind that this school will do anything for your tuition dollars. Even if that means lying to you. The school has had some very serious financial issues in the past few years which raises questions about whether the school will exist in the next ten years or so. Additionally, the academics are very poor when compared to other schools.

Posted: April 5, 2024

Posted: January 28, 2022

We started our son in kindergarten at MVS and are pleased with what we've experienced. The teachers and administrators are responsive, cheerful, and feel like a partner in making sure my son has the support system he needs. Taking a tour is worth your time to see the campus and hear how they approach education.

The immersion experience makes me want to go back to school to participate in something so unique! It's like a deep dive into topics, with hands-on creations, outside speakers, and field trips. The work the school puts into this type of experiential learning is incredible.

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: May 7, 2020

Most homework gets done at school. Much of the Homework is project based and my daughter loves this type of learning, very hands on.

Posted: May 7, 2020

This is our first year at MVS in the middle school and we have seen an increased attention to our daughters learning needs with hands on help from all her teachers. She is learning so much more than her previous school.

Posted: May 7, 2020

Our daughter is thriving, we couldnt be happier! She has changed so much in just the little time we have been at MVS. She loves this type of learning, hands on projects, multi-sensory immersion learning.

Posted: May 7, 2020

The communication coming from our schools leadership and teachers is outstanding. They really have set themselves apart from other schools. Since Covid 19 and the stay at home order, the leadership have increased their communication. And we are connected to the school even more.

Posted: May 7, 2020

Students have different ways of learning, some are more hands on, some more visual, others more auditory. Our experience is MVS teachers have the ability and skill to effectively teach to these differences.

Posted: May 7, 2020

The culture is built around inclusion and awareness. We have seen this through communication and student interaction.

Posted: May 7, 2020

Our experience has been the teachers and leadership foster a nurturing environment of learning and development. Working to bring out the best in our child. We are very happy we are in such a great community of people.

Posted: April 29, 2020

It was incredible. I traveled the world through MVS. I went on archeological digs. I awoke at 3 AM for astronomy class. And 5 AM to birdwatch. I learned to do college and graduate level research in high school. My best friends came from all walks of life - African American, Indian, Asian, Jewish, etc. It was the single most diverse environment I have ever been in. Ever. No joke.

Posted: April 29, 2020

Its not just busy work. The homework is intended to complement the classroom. Don't expect a bunch of worksheets....

Posted: April 29, 2020

They are dedicated and very smart. Many come from all over the world just to teach there. They come from the best colleges as well. They teach, coach, direct the plays, they do it all.

Posted: April 29, 2020

The mission of the school is to become compassionate global citizens. The kids are engaged locally and literally across the world. My son just returned from a service project in Ghana.

Posted: April 29, 2020

The Head of School came from one of the best boarding schools in the nation. The administration works very hard. They are recognized nationally for their excellent educational leadership.

Posted: April 29, 2020

MVS offers a kinetic education. The students are all in! This isn't some online program. The classes are long to give tons of time for all varieties of instruction. So if you learn by reading, hearing, doing, or seeing, then you will thrive at MVS. MVS does not however, have capacity for significant learning challenges. The students must be highly motivated and capable.

Posted: April 29, 2020

MVS has a rigorous social emotional learning program. Other schools locally have copied the MVS approach. The school is small and the teachers know everyone and everything that happens there.

Posted: May 3, 2019

leadership at the school lied to me on several occasions

Posted: May 3, 2019

Posted: February 27, 2018

My children have become compassionate global citizens! They have developed lasting relationships and are prepared for college!

Posted: February 12, 2018

Students carrying out religious/cultural bullying on a student with disabilities were only lightly reprimanded. Victim was treated harshly and humiliated by school leadership.

Posted: February 12, 2018

Teachers and headmaster turn a blind eye to bullying of a student with disabilities, and resort to victim shaming. Absolutely no reasonable accommodations made to help the student thrive in the classroom.

Posted: February 12, 2018

Absolutely unwilling to make reasonable accommodations in or out of the classroom.

Posted: February 12, 2018

The headmaster's resolution to issues of serious bullying is to remove the victim from school.

Posted: February 12, 2018

Very upsetting and disappointing experience for my child. If your child is atypical in any way, I would think twice before sending them here.

Posted: December 11, 2017

I could not be happier with my experience at The Miami Valley School. I have not just entered a school, I have become part of a family that learns and grows and responds to the challenges of the ever-changing world together, all working together to help our children be prepared for the real world.

Posted: December 11, 2017

MVS is a highly selective school academically. You send your child here with the hope they will be challenged to reach their fullest potential.

Posted: December 11, 2017

The educators at MVS are committed to their students 100%. Where else would a teacher give parents their cell phone and work to ensure each student is supported fully and seen and valued on their individual progress?

Posted: December 11, 2017

Posted: October 19, 2016

I think that this is the best option available for my child in the Dayton area, but like any school it is not perfect.

- The curriculum is rigorous and the expectations are high, which are two characteristics that we look for in a school.

- There are great teachers, and there are teachers who don't seem to subscribe to the overall theme of inclusion.

- Similarly to other reviews that have been posted recently, I have noticed that there are many new teachers in the past few years and they do not seem to be as experienced or effective as I would expect at the leading school in Dayton.

- Non-academic opportunities (clubs, sports) are a big part of MVS, and many of the teachers are fully dedicate to making them an amazing experience for the kids.

- There is a sense of community for the kids, but the school administration can sometimes be a bit closed to input from parents.

Bottom line, MVS is a solid school that offers plenty of opportunity to its students. It isn't the "over the top" quality we expected, but I think it is the best secular option in the Dayton area.

Posted: October 19, 2016

Posted: February 15, 2016

Love Mrs. Hardin and Mrs.Ertsgaard and Mr. Carrillo and heard great things about Mrs. Paul, Mrs. Krochmal. Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Johnson. I feel the teachers are effectively teaching the students if I didn't my child wouldn't attend MVS.

Posted: February 15, 2016

My son is use to doing a lot more homework then he currently has. Not sure if the increased amount of homework was busy work or actually more beneficial. It wouldn't bother me if he had more homework. My first priority is my child's education not extra curricular activities. I understand juggling both can be tedious therefore I wouldn't encourage more homework I just wouldn't mind. Perhaps in the upper grades the homework takes longer to complete therefore my comments about homework only applies to the lower school.

Posted: February 15, 2016

My son has been called on the carpet about open to others ideas. He's also needed to work on being fair with his peers. The culture of the school seems to promote honesty and integrity however that is something we reinforce at home and is a guiding principal in his life.

Posted: February 15, 2016

I love the cultural diversity of the school and I don't feel my child has too much homework. He said "Attending MVS feels like attending college in grade school", which he loves. He also likes the smaller group settings and the combination of self directed learning as well as direct teach(the teachers lectures and you sit listening) versus direct teach only. Although he had a few challenges in the beginning due to his transitioning i.e. more freedom and he needed to work on staying focused on the topic as well as learning how to work cooperatively with others. MVS has met if not exceed our expectations. I believe the skills he's mastering are essential both in and outside of the classroom and will greatly benefit him in the future. I look forward to him continuing to mature and learn new and exciting things about not only the traditional subjects in school i.e. reading, math, science etc. but also the non-traditional things i.e. sewing , Japanese folk tales, Mandarin, how to make clay animals and field trips for example, Spark concert. MVS is the ONLY school in the area with such a dynamic curriculum and opportunities to have a international education versus a Dayton, Ohio education. I'm educating my child in order for him to succeed not only locally but globally as well. If you are looking for a global education look no further MVS is the answer.

Posted: January 21, 2016

There is a constant feeling of pressure throughout all school activities for seemingly no reason, and a lot of propaganda is spread throughout by the school about how satisfied, intelligent and kind their students are. It is clearly far more focused on keeping an image than actually maintaining student satisfaction.

Posted: January 21, 2016

Many teachers have been leaving in recent years, leaving new, inexperienced ones in their places.

Posted: January 21, 2016

Homework can be an essential tool when it is used to keep the memories of material learned that day fresh. However, at this school it is often just bland busywork given for no particular reason other than to force the ¨grit and determination¨ so sweetly spoken about in their mission statement.

Posted: October 12, 2015

High recidivism rate among the faculty. The school now has a lot of young teachers that don't know how to teach.

Posted: October 12, 2015

I'm often unable to complete my homework load and am then criticized because I cannot handle 6-8 hours of homework.

Posted: October 12, 2015

Cheating is rampant throughout the school. It's hard to find a student that doesn't cheat.

Posted: October 12, 2015

Academics are subjective, teachers don't teach the course but instead expect the kids to learn it on their own. As a student I will often find question on test of material that we never went over but we "should've known". Your average MVS upper school students should expect about 6-8 hours of homework a night, although the school will lie and say differently. Immersion does offer some unique experiences, but getting into your preferred immersion is nearly impossible. The overall school environment is trashy, kids leave their garbage and book bags all over the floor and tables. The "learning environment" as they like to call it DOES NOT promote proper education. There is no where to do homework or think quietly to oneself. As far as the behavior of the students, some suggest that the students are nice and eager to learn. These students are not your typical MVS student. Overall it has been a bad experience.

Posted: November 10, 2014

As an alum of The Miami Valley School, I grew up feeling like it was my second home. Everyone there knew me and welcomed me to be who I was. The teachers take time to make sure each student is part of the class and understands what is going on. I received lots of wonderful opportunities - traveling to Europe and Alaska during the 4 week immersion period, playing sports, taking pottery classes, and participating in plays and musicals. I hope to send my kids there in the future.

Posted: July 14, 2013

I taught at Miami Valley School for five years and found it to be a wonderful school. The students are unusually kind and civil, and the other teachers are dedicated and caring. It is by far the best K-12 education one can find in the Dayton area. If I had a child, I would want him or her to attend Miami Valley. The Immersion program is also very special. I

Posted: May 21, 2013

We researched all the local schools and decided on MVS because it has a very welcoming, diverse atmosphere with small classrooms and exceptional teachers. Our boys attended MVS Early Childhood for the last two years, and they have blossomed! Their vocabularies, senses of curiosity, imaginations, and coordination have exponentially grown. On the weekends, they always ask if it is a school day and are sad to hear they have to wait until Monday. They love their teachers, and have amazing friends from every different cultural and ethnic background. I love this school and we are very sad that we will be moving next year! Highly recommend to any family coming to this area! It is more than worth the investment.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Woodman Dr and Dorothy Lane	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dayton	OH	3.6 mi
2	Washington Township	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dayton	OH	5.5 mi
3	Kables Mill	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Bellbrook	OH	6.4 mi
4	Royal Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Beavercreek	OH	8.8 mi
5	Hickory Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Beavercreek	OH	10 mi
6	Forrest Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dayton	OH	10.7 mi
7	Bartley Creek estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dayton	OH	12.2 mi
8	Huber Heights	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Huber Heights	OH	14.8 mi

Base	Distance
Wright Patterson AFB	12.2 mi.
Springfield Air National Guard	21.8 mi.

The Miami Valley School

Dayton, OH 45429

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Dayton, OH 45429

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