"CRMS is an independent boarding and day school that challenges students to excel in an academic curriculum balanced within a program of the arts, athletics, physical work, service to the community, and enriching wilderness experience. A college-preparatory curriculum taught by a committed residential faculty prepares students to enter the wide range of selective colleges and universities. The 320-acre campus, located on a historic ranch outside of Aspen, Colorado, makes this the ideal place for wilderness and experiential learning opportunities as well as a variety of mountain and river sports..."
Top 10 Placements: Similar Size Schools
Listed among the top 10 schools with < 200 students (out of 103 schools) for:
Overview: |
Colorado Rocky
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Boarding School Avg.
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| Definition of Terms | ||
| School Focus | College Preparatory | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered. | 9-12, PG | 9-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Support for ADD/ADHD Students | No | No |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1953 | 1906 |
| Campus Size | 320 acres | 125 acres |
| Student Body | ||
| Enrollment | 145 students | 296 students |
| Percent Students of Color | 4% | 18% |
| Percent International Students | 20% | 18% |
| Percent Students Boarding | 65% | 69% |
| Average SAT Score | 1701 | * National Avg. »View |
| SAT range (25th-75th percentile) | 1530 - 1900 | - |
| Average ACT score | 24 | *National Avg. » View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | Yes | No |
| Academics and Faculty | ||
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 10 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Teacher : Student Ratio | 1:5 | 1:7 |
| # of AP/Advanced Courses Offered | 4 | 14 |
| ESL Courses Offered | Yes | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 53% | 64% |
| Summer Program Offered | No | Yes |
| Finances | ||
| Endowment Size | $13 million | $14 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $41,900 | $42,800 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $26,100 | $23,900 |
| Percent Students on Financial Aid | 42% | 34% |
| Average Financial Aid Grant | $21,000 | $18,500 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | No | No |
| Admission | ||
| Application Deadline | Feb. 15 / rolling | Jan. 15 |
| SSAT Required | Yes | Yes |
| Average Percentile SSAT | 73% | - |
| Acceptance Rate | 75% | 60% |
| Director of Admissions | Molly Dorais | |
| Associate Director of Admissions | Tracy Wilson | |
Course Listings: |
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| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses | |
AP / Advanced Courses: |
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| # of AP/Advanced Courses Offered | 4 | 14 |
AP/Advanced Courses
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||
| AP American History | AP American Literature | |
| AP Calculus | AP Environmental Science | |
Sports: |
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| Total Interscholastic Sports Offered | 14 | 13 |
Interscholastic Sports
|
||
| Alpine Skiing | Climbing | |
| Cross Country | Cycling | |
| Freestyle Skiing | Indoor Soccer | |
| Kayaking | Mountain Biking | |
| Mountaineering | Nordic Skiing | |
| Rock Climbing | Snowboarding | |
| Soccer | Tennis | |
Extracurricular: |
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| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 13 | 24 |
Extracurriculars
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| Blacksmithing | Community Service | |
| Diversity Club | Frisbee Golf | |
| Gardening | Glassblowing | |
| International Club | Jazz and Bluegrass | |
| Peer Tutoring | Recycling | |
| Student Government | Theater | |
| Yearbook | ||
College Matriculation: |
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| Year: 2006-2009 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
|
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| University of Colorado / Boulder | 13 | |
| Lewis & Clark College | 6 | |
| Whitman College | 6 | |
| Purdue University | 5 | |
| Dartmouth College | 4 | |
| Hampshire College | 4 | |
| University of Puget Sound | 4 | |
| Boston University | 3 | |
| University of Denver | 3 | |
| University of Pennsylvania | 3 | |
| Link to Matriculation Data | ||
School Notes:
- Our Mission: Colorado Rocky Mountain School cultivates a learning environment in which students discover their potential to excel as individuals, contribute to their communities, and participate thoughtfully in the world we share.
- Academic Curriculum: Our academic curriculum features rigorous college-prep academic and visual and performing arts classes, with an emphasis on classroom discussions, hands-on work, and research and study. Our unique active curriculum embraces our afternoon work crews and sports, as well as backcountry trips.
- Arts Curriculum: Visual and performing arts are an integral part of life at CRMS. Together classes and experience in the arts enhance our students' abilities to enjoy and excel in all parts of our program. Students can try their hands at hand at blacksmithing, silversmithing, painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, music, drama, and much more.
- Residential Curriculum: Boarding students live in age-specific, single-sex residences where they are cared for by dedicated residential faculty. Our six dorms are small for an independent school, with some housing as few as 11 students. Students here quickly feel part of a caring and supportive environment. We encourage our students to develop lasting friendships with each other, and to get to know their teachers as mentors and role models.
- Outdoor Program: We believe that the classroom must open out onto the world, that a scholar's life should encompass action as well as quiet study. In a tradition as old as the school, our students and faculty spend 21 days in the backcountry each year.
- College Counseling: We offer a comprehensive college-counseling program to guide you and your parents through the complex process of applying for college. Through our college planning handbook and regular meetings with our college counseling staff, we'll work with you on a year-by-year plan. Some of our recent graduates have been accepted to Amherst, Dartmouth, Smith, Bates, Bowdoin, Swarthmore, Middlebury, Wellesley, Reed, Rhode Island School of Design, NYU Tisch School of Film, Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, and Colorado College.
- School accreditations: ACIS, AEE
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Oliver Platt '78 - attended CRMS for three years. After graduating, he majored in drama at Tufts University where he made his professional debut on stage. His credits include: “Flatliners” (1990) as Randal Steckle; “Indecent Proposal” (1993) with Robert Redford/
- Conrad Anker ’82 - is a leading figure in climbing. He is a professional mountaineer who has made breakthrough first ascents throughout the world, from the Himalayans to Antarctica, and Patagonia. He co-authored the book “Lost Explorer.”
- Susan Meiselas ’66 - is an internationally acclaimed photojournalist. She has been published in Time, the New York Times, Life, and Paris Match. She earned a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. in visual education from Harvard University.
- Profile last updated: 10/15/2010
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