Discovering Excellence in the “Seven-Leaved State”: A Visit to Maumee Valley Country Day School in Ohio

Ohio, often nicknamed the “Seven-Leaved State,” is located in the Midwestern United States and is a key center of technological and economic development in the Great Lakes region. While it may not be a top tourist destination for most families, Maumee Valley Country Day School in Toledo, Ohio, boasts outstanding academic strength and college matriculation outcomes, drawing students from across the country and around the world.

In April 2025,, the GE FAM tour team visited Maumee Valley Country Day School (MVCDS), a school ranked by Niche as the Best Private School in Northwest Ohio, Best Private K-12 School (five years in a row), Most Diverse Private High School, Best College Prep Private High School, Best Private High School, and Best STEM School.

WELCOME!!

The school made thoughtful preparations to welcome the GE FAM tour. Our group was warmly received by a dedicated team of educators who are passionate about shaping young minds.

As the school bus arrived and we stepped onto campus, Admissions Director Mike House led us into the Upper School. The building, designed with white walls and large floor-to-ceiling windows, immediately caught everyone’s eye with its modern style.

Set on a picturesque 75-acre wooded campus, MVCDS offers exceptional facilities: Wolfe Gallery, a middle school building, cafeteria, 300-seat Millennium Theatre, Upper School, Johnson-Bayer Athletic Center, the Dayal House dormitory, greenhouses, outdoor sports fields, four tracks, five tennis courts, and the original SME building—the school’s first facility. Originally an all-girls’ school, MVCDS relocated to its current site about 100 years ago and has continually evolved into a high-achieving coeducational institution.

The Upper School building, completed in 2010, showcases alumni college acceptances and numerous trophies. With access to a rich local community, MVCDS emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and global awareness. Its distinctive five-term academic calendar allows students to take intensive deep-dive courses. A broad range of extracurricular activities further supports leadership and community engagement—part of the reason such a spacious campus was developed in a residential neighborhood.

One thoughtful touch: the school took a group photo as soon as we arrived, and at the end of the visit, each GE FAM member received a printed album of the photo as a keepsake!

We then joined Admissions Director Mike in the conference room, where a student music ensemble performed a special piece for our group.

Head of School Lynn Casto (with seven years at MVCDS) shared the school’s educational philosophy, which emphasizes mission-driven education and inclusive excellence. The goal is to nurture thoughtful, empathetic, and globally minded students.

Stephanie Harman, responsible for the academic and international programs for grades 9-12 and Director of Development at MVCDS, introduced the school’s diverse clubs. Students can initiate and lead their own academic or creative clubs (e.g., Architecture Club, Beard Club), developing leadership and organizational skills to better prepare for college life.

She then highlighted key features of the Upper School (grades 9-12), which enrolls about 216 students with international students capped at 20%. The curriculum combines personalization, hands-on learning, and global perspectives. With a unique five-term schedule, three terms are dedicated to intensive courses—single-subject, full-day experiences for in-depth exploration, including international exchanges like study programs in China and panda-themed summer camps. Students can also design their own independent study courses, partnering with local universities such as the University of Toledo and Bowling Green for research, internships, or artistic projects.

Students passionate about songwriting or music often compose and perform their own works following their independent study term.

Trent Hayes, Director of College Counseling, shared MVCDS’s approach to college planning. Counseling begins in 9th grade and progresses from interest exploration (9th), awareness building (10th), goal setting (11th), to application execution (12th). The process is trust-driven and results in consistently strong college outcomes. The class of 2024 received a total of $1.85 million in scholarships, and international students receive full support applying for scholarships and state-funded programs.

Niki McCoy, Director of Residential Life and the girls' basketball coach, gave a detailed introduction to boarding at MVCDS. About 20% of students live in the Dayal House dorm (opened in 2013, capacity: 28), and another 12 live with host families (mostly faculty and alumni families).

Dorm amenities include kitchens, lounges, laundry rooms, a media room, and a 3D printer. The program offers weekend activities, transportation, and holiday celebrations, promoting a “home away from home” atmosphere with a strong sense of independence and community.

During holidays like Thanksgiving, students without travel plans are matched with host families. This process is carefully managed, with both sides discussing preferences and expectations. Host families take on parental roles—driving students to appointments, helping with errands, and more.

We also met many dedicated staff, including:

• Dr. Jami Barnes (formerly a science teacher, now Academic Dean),

• Sarah, who has served MVCDS for nearly 20 years,

• Jana Smith, a 30-year teaching veteran,

• Brian Oliver, Director of Family Engagement and the Annual Fund,

• James, responsible for dorm supervision, driving, and operations.

The faculty's dedication is evident in everything they do, from conflict-prevention training before school starts to learning and correctly pronouncing Chinese names for graduation ceremonies to ensure every student feels seen and respected.

The strength and stability of the teaching team instilled even greater confidence in us that students here are genuinely cared for and empowered to succeed.

Campus Visit

During the campus tour, we first visited Dayal House. Since 2013, it has hosted students from around the world, enriching the community with diverse perspectives. Boys and girls live on separate floors, with both single and double rooms (freshmen usually share rooms for easier social integration). The dorm emphasizes security (monitored access, surveillance), and students enjoy access to fully equipped kitchens and recreation areas.

Niki shared that her career began at Columbia University in leadership development before moving into administration. After relocating to MVCDS with her two children, she has experienced the school both as a professional and a parent. In this inclusive, intellectually vibrant community, students learn to think, debate, and collaborate across differences—skills they will use in college and throughout life.

MVCDS proudly welcomes international students, believing that diverse perspectives enrich learning. The school wants students to experience learning by doing—not just sitting for eight hours a day—but by becoming scientists, artists, and changemakers who explore and discover.

While high-achieving students may fear failure, the school intentionally creates a safe space for risk-taking and growth. Students are encouraged to try challenging courses and supported every step of the way. The goal is to keep students in the “stretch zone” where optimal learning occurs—away from panic, within reach of possibility.

The school’s five-term schedule is unique. Each intensive term runs for three weeks, offering deep dives into topics like electrical engineering—where students dismantle old electronics, repair them, or build something new entirely. One student later opened a bike shop on the West Coast as part of his independent study project, combining business management and mechanical skills.

This distinctive schedule sets MVCDS students apart. While transcripts from most schools look similar, MVCDS’s twelve unique intensive classes stand out to college admissions officers.

Classes follow a rotating block schedule (95 minutes each, three per day), offering in-depth learning in varied subjects. Last year, the Architecture Club won a series of awards; this year, more students joined, and three won awards and grants. They even requested a 3D printer for their projects, which are now proudly displayed on campus.

Some students pursue theater or fine arts, while others intern in medical labs or engage in volunteer work. GE visitors even toured the dorm room of NYU-bound Ethan Chen, a student artist passionate about the stage.

Students living on campus can request transportation for activities like visiting FedEx or attending out-of-town conferences, with advance notice. The school has sufficient staff to support students' needs at all times.

No school uniforms are required—students dress comfortably and appropriately. Lockers are left unlocked, emphasizing a culture of trust and safety.

International students shared their experiences with homesickness and how the school supports them through cultural events and a peer partner program that matches them with local students before arrival to ease the transition.

The GE tour also visited the Johnson-Bayer Athletic Center. MVCDS has 13 varsity teams in sports like soccer, basketball, track and field, swimming/diving, baseball, tennis, cross-country, cheerleading, hockey, indoor sports, hurdles, and long jump. The school promotes a no-cut policy, allowing all students to participate—from beginners to elite athletes.

Athletic Director Rob Conover shared the impressive athletic GPA of 3.82 (with six teams averaging above 4.0) and introduced the Maumee Valley Athletics Hall of Fame—a prestigious honor for student-athletes.

In the classroom wing, we observed small class sizes (5–18 students per class, 1:10 teacher-student ratio), with flexible study and social spaces. MVCDS offers a wide curriculum including world languages, electronics, and scientific research. Public speaking and arts programs are especially robust. The school fosters leadership and community engagement through extensive extracurricular programming.

We toured four math classrooms, met welcoming world language and engineering teachers (like Mr. Dan), and observed classes in history, humanities, science, English, and Spanish.

Finally, the group visited the Millennium Theatre, used for performances and student showcases.

The Millennium Theatre serves as a venue for school plays, talent shows, and various student-led performances. The school community frequently gathers here to celebrate creativity, expression, and shared experiences. At MVCDS, students are not just learning from textbooks—they are telling stories, producing shows, and gaining confidence on stage. We enjoyed one TEDx speech!

Next, we visited the Art Studio, a creative space dedicated to hands-on artistic practice. The school offers programs in drama, music, and visual arts, with an educational philosophy that emphasizes interdisciplinary creation and artistic expression. Each year, students perform in three stage productions, and there are also performances by the orchestra. Mondays feature Identity Day, Tuesday nights are reserved for musicals, there's a TEDx event today, and a spring concert later in the year—there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved in the arts.

After the full tour, the GE FAM group enjoyed lunch prepared by the school in the cafeteria. During the meal, international students shared more stories and insights about their life at MVCDS, their hobbies, favorite classes, and future goals.

One student from China mentioned that he originally planned to study music but discovered a passion for engineering through the school’s intensive term courses. Another shared how the school helped him grow from a shy newcomer into a confident public speaker and student leader. A female student who dreams of becoming a doctor spoke passionately about her science internship and how her teachers supported her every step of the way.

The meal was full of laughter, friendly exchanges, and heartfelt reflections. For many of the GE FAM participants, this visit to MVCDS left a lasting impression—not just because of the school’s exceptional academic offerings, but because of its warmth, inclusivity, and the authentic voices of its students.

Before leaving, the school surprised each guest with a personalized gift bag containing brochures, a photo album from the morning, and a handwritten card from a student. Small gestures like these revealed how much the school values hospitality and attention to detail.

As the bus departed and the MVCDS staff waved us off, the group felt a deep appreciation for the school’s educational philosophy and environment. For families seeking a well-rounded, innovative, and supportive American high school, Maumee Valley Country Day School truly stands out.

Bailey - Support Dog

Don't overlook the comforting presence of Bailey, the school's support dog!She brings so much joy and emotional support to the students, making them feel truly happy and cared for!

A Place Where Young Minds Take Flight

MVCDS is not just a school—it is a community where students are encouraged to dream, explore, and achieve. Through personalized support, real-world learning, and global perspectives, students here are not only college-ready but also life-ready.

We are grateful for the warm reception and thoughtful arrangements by the MVCDS team. It was an inspiring visit that gave us renewed confidence in the power of education to shape future global citizens.