The Vinson-Owen school is named after the famous figure skating family that died in a 1961 plane crash as they travelled to the world championships in Prague. The school believes in following principles of respect, responsibility and reason in order to reach its educational goals. Teachers at the school work with Harvard's Project Zero to develop a curriculum based on the state standards, but also to teach students basic skills and a deeper level of understanding of the curriculum. The school relies on a very active community to help support various school programs, a school newsletter, enrichment programs, a mentor program and room mothers, along with numerous donations to the school.