Is this home owned by a big company?

No. When you spend the night at Vickers Schoolhouse, you support a small, local business owned by a family in the Paola area. Lara and Tony are your local owners (and hosts) who live nearby, and support other small business and charities through the proceeds from nightly rental rates. The benefit? We care about the quality of your experience and the preservation of this historic local landmark. It is our priority to be fantastic hosts and great neighbors to the surrounding residents. Why? Because we love this schoolhouse and we love our community!

How do I check-in?

Vickers Schoolhouse is equipped with smart locks on both the front and back doors. You will receive your custom lock code 4 days before check-in. You will also receive directions on how to operate the lock at that time. Your code will become active at check-in time and will no longer work after check-out time.

What is the check-in and check-out time?

Check-in is anytime after 4:00pm on the day of your arrival. Check-out is anytime before 11:00am on the day of departure. If you would like to arrive or depart outside of these timeframes, please consider adding a day at the beginning or end of your reservation to accommodate that need.

Are the loft bedrooms accessible?

The loft bedrooms are accessed by specialized “ladder-stairs” like you may see in a tiny home. They are not suited for small children or those with mobility issues. The primary bedroom is located on the first floor and is better suited for those who would have difficulty with modular stair systems. We ask that children be supervised on the stairs and landings at all times.

How do I contact my host?

You will receive the host’s cell number by email after booking. You may also use the “Speak With The Principal” form on this website anytime. Please supply your name and reservation dates when you reach out. Calls, texts and website messages are answered from 8:00am to 9:00pm Central Time. You can always reach us through Airbnb/VRBO messaging if you booked with us through them.

What are the house rules?

Please refer to the page “Schoolyard Rules” here on our website. Breaking any of the stated house rules is a breach of contract and will result in immediate cancellation of the reservation and forfeiture of remaining rents and security deposit. The schoolhouse is a special place and we’d like to keep it safe, beautiful and comfortable for all of our guests, present and future.

What is the cancellation policy?

Travelers who cancel at least 14 days before check-in will get back 100% of the amount they’ve paid. If they cancel between 7 and 14 days before check-in, they’ll get back 50%. Otherwise, no refund will be made. Travelers must cancel by 11:59pm Central Time on the cut-off day specified above to receive a refund.

Is there a security deposit required?

A fully refundable $500 security deposit is required at the time of booking. Damages above normal wear and tear will be deducted from the security deposit upon checkout.

Do you allow pets?

Vickers Schoolhouse is now pet friendly! We allow up to two cats or dogs under 50lbs to stay in the home. We do charge a pet fee to cover additional cleaning. Please see “Schoolyard Rules” for additional information regarding pets.

Is there a cleaning fee?

Our rigorous cleaning and sanitizing practices are paid for and included in your nightly rate. No additional fees are added to your reservation. Should the house not be left in the condition it was found, additional cleaning fees, post-check-out, may apply.

What amenities are included in the rental?

At the Schoolhouse, we want to make sure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay! That's why we provide all the essentials to get you started on your self-catered adventure. However, if you find yourself running low on supplies during your stay, please plan to provide any additional items you may need for the remainder of your trip. We hope that our well-stocked accommodations will make your stay with us as seamless and stress-free as possible!

The home is furnished with:

A fully equipped kitchen with all major appliances and basic pantry items like dish soap, paper towels, salt, pepper, a range of spices, and cooking oil.

Coffee bar complete with pod and drip coffee maker, sugar, creamer, honey, and non-calorie sweetener.

Free wi-fi.

A smart TV that receives local channels and allows guests to log into their favorite streaming services. The TV automatically logs out of the services upon the date you choose when you first turn it on.

Three bedrooms each with new queen beds with crisp linens, pillows and comforters.

Hot tub and spa towels for your use.

A deck with dining for six, a patio with furniture near the hot tub, and a fire ring with cedar Adirondacks for lounging outdoors.

In the baths, luxury bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths: at least two rolls of toilet paper each; hand soaps; body wash; shampoo and conditioner; and a hair dryer are provided.

Pack-n-play available.

Washer and dryer are available within the home.

Are the lofts full-height?

No. One-room schoolhouses were typically built in the 19th and early 20th centuries and were designed to be small, simple structures that could accommodate a single teacher and a small group of students. Due to limited resources and construction techniques at the time, the earlier buildings often were constructed one one level with 13 foot high ceilings.

The recent trend towards building tiny homes and maximizing living space in smaller footprints led our architect to go “up” with two of the three bedrooms, leaving more ample headroom on the main floor, which places the loft ceilings at just under 6 feet of clearance.

By utilizing creative design techniques it was possible to create three bedrooms in a small footprint, even with lower ceiling heights, and not to alter the historic façade of the original schoolhouse, which is a big win!

How do I access the Wi-Fi?

Instructions for accessing the Wi-Fi are posted within the home.

How do I use the appliances?

All appliances are electric. The stove is a standard, non-induction model, so it works with all types of pots and pans.

What is the parking situation?

The schoolhouse provides ample parking for up to four vehicles in the gravel driveway. Please keep tires on the gravel at all times.

How do I request additional linens or towels?

Two bath towels are provided per guest per stay for up to six guests (maximum occupancy). All beds are pre-made. Hand towels, wash cloths and spa towels are also made available for guests within the home.

Because of the number of linens kept in stock in the home on a regular basis, and due to the provision of laundry facilities, we do not anticipate guests requiring additional linens. Should there be a case where additional linens are needed, please make the request prior to check-in so the host can stock the home with what you need prior to your arrival.

What is the policy on smoking in the rental?

Please find this answer in the Schoolyard Rules at this link.

How do I leave the rental at check-out?

Before checking out, please:

Leave all used beds unmade

Place all used colored towels in the washer and run the load.

Place all used white spa towels in the laundry basket near the Washer/Dryer.

Rinse all dirty dishes, place in the dishwasher and start the wash cycle

Place all trash (please bag all trash) in the provided bin outside

Double check for your chargers and other personal belongings

Close all windows, and lock up as you leave

What should I do if there is an issue with the rental?

PLEASE NOTE Our homes are professionally cleaned and sanitized to the highest standards. They undergo double inspection to verify everything is as it should be for your stay. It is our common practice to offer the cleanest and most comfortable accommodations around, and we do not honor refund requests for cleaning related issues. Please do a walk-through of the home when you arrive to satisfy yourself of the clean condition of the accommodations. Should something fall short of this standard, please report it to the host immediately the day of your arrival and we will have the cleaning crew return to address the issue as soon as possible. This offer is time sensitive and only applies to the condition of the home upon your arrival. Thank you for understanding. :)

We understand other issues do sometimes arise that need to be addressed. Please reach out to the host via text or phone call and we will get to work immediately to solve the problem.

How do I leave a review for my host?

Since we are always looking to improve the quality of your stay, your feedback on the value you found at the schoolhouse is very helpful. If we've done well or if there is room to improve, we'd love to hear from you!

If you’ve booked with us through an Online Travel Agent (OTA) like Airbnb or VRBO, please follow their prompts to leave a review on their platform. If you have booked directly with us, please review us on Google or Facebook. You can find Vickers Schoolhouse by searching on Google or Google Maps, and on Facebook here.

Many thanks!!