Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Colorado Rocky Mountain School

5.00 (8 reviews)
500 Holden Way Carbondale CO 81623
Tel: (970) 963-2562
www.crms.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 165 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,500
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #4 - Learning at Colorado Rocky Mountain School also means heading into the great outdoors three times a year. Our outdoor trips focus on the natural areas near the school for hiking, biking, climbing, and river sports.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #5 - From assisting in the garden or kitchen to making mugs in ceramics or trail building to repairing bikes or skis, you will positively contribute to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School community through service.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #6 - Robotics is one of several computer science offerings here at Colorado Rocky Mountain School.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #7 - At Colorado Rocky Mountain School, we focus on inclusion and access. All students have the opportunity to try a new sport or take their passion to the next level. Whether you are a beginner or ready to join our state championship climbing or mountain biking teams - there is a place for everyone!
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #8 - The culture of music is organic and permeates so much of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School community. In addition to music classes, students can perform during All School Meetings, Coffee Houses or jam with teachers and peers during free time.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #9 - Whether discovering your creative side for the first time or wanting to pursue an art career in college and beyond, Colorado Rocky Mountain School enjoys a robust and unique range of offerings including glassblowing, blacksmithing, silversmithing, printmaking and more.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #10 - 100% of Colorado Rocky Mountain School graduates are admitted to 4-year colleges and universities.
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About the School

  • Colorado Rocky Mountain School 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 325-acre campus, located on a historic ranch outside of Carbondale, Colorado, makes this the ideal place for wilderness and experiential learning opportunities as well as a variety of mountain and river sports.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 165 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,500
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Colorado Rocky Mountain School ranks among the top 10 schools with < 200 students (out of 80 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
School Resources
Large financial endowment
School Resources
Highest endowment/student
Selectivity
Low acceptance rates
Offering Breadth
Most extracurriculars offered

School Overview

2026 School Data
Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1953
1907
Campus Size
300 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
165 students
319 students
% Students of Color
10%
27%
% International Students
10%
21%
% Students Boarding
55%
65%
Average SAT Score
1221
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1170 - 1560
-
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
53%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Small Boarding School Association (SBSA)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA)
# of AP Courses Offered
8
18
Courses
AP Calculus ABAP Computer Science A
AP English Language and CompositionAP Environmental Science
AP Physics C: MechanicsAP Spanish: Language and Culture
AP US History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$38 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$77,500
(Financial aid is available on the basis of need.)
$71,420
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$48,500
(Financial aid is available on the basis of need.)
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
43%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$36,492
(Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need.)
$25,000

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
60%
64%
Director of Admissions
Molly Dorais
Associate Director of Admissions
Julie Wiley
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
17
Sports
Alpine SkiingClimbing
Cross CountryCross Country Running
CyclingEquestrian
Freestyle SkiingKayaking
Mountain BikingMountaineering
Nordic SkiingRiding
Rock ClimbingSkiing
SnowboardingSoccer
Colors
White, Green
School Mascot
Rocky Mountain Oysters

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
33
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Community Service ClubDiversity Club
Outdoor AdventurePeer Tutoring
RecyclingRiver Watch
Student Government


Arts and Music Programs:
BlacksmithingCeramics
Drama ProductionGlassblowing
MusicPainting & Drawing
Silversmithing


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine SkiingBig Mountain Skiing
ClimbingCross Country
Cross Country RunningEquestrian
Freestyle SkiingGardening
Horsemanship & Horseback RidingKayaking
Mountain BikingMountaineering
Nordic SkiingRock Climbing
SkiingSkiMountaineering (SkiMo)
SnowboardingSoccer
Winter Travel

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Univerity of Colorado at Boulder
28
Montana State University
12
Colorado College
9
University of Denver
9
Lewis and Clark College
8
University of Puget Sound
7
University of Vermont
7
Colorado School of Mines
5
New York University
5
Middlebury College
4
View 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 thoughtfully participate 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 Colorado Rocky Mountain School. 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 Dartmouth, Pamona College, Smith, Swarthmore, Middlebury, Wellesley, New York University, Yale, the University of Chicago, and Colorado College.
  • 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.
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Colorado Rocky Mountain School cost?
Colorado Rocky Mountain School's tuition is approximately $77,500 for boarding students and $48,500 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
The acceptance rate of Colorado Rocky Mountain School is 60%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%. Colorado Rocky Mountain School's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
Colorado Rocky Mountain School famous alumni include: Oliver Platt '78, Conrad Anker ’82 and Susan Meiselas ’66.
What sports does Colorado Rocky Mountain School offer?
Colorado Rocky Mountain School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Equestrian, Freestyle Skiing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Riding, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding and Soccer.
What is Colorado Rocky Mountain School's ranking?
Colorado Rocky Mountain School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student, Low acceptance rates and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
The application deadline for Colorado Rocky Mountain School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2019
5.00
n/a
One especially unique part of CRMS are our mandatory after-school activities-- twice a week, you have a Work Crew (internal community service), and twice a week you have an Active (intramural or team sports). Students. . .

Class of 2019
5.00
Currently finishing High School
One aspect that CRMS has is that we are a very outdoors school. This means that twice a year we have trips into the wilderness based on the type of sport your interested in. This. . .

Class of 2019
5.00
N/A
The atmosphere that CRMS has is one that values outdoor education as much as indoor education. We get outside in the wilderness more than any other school that I know of. . .
Show more reviews (5 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 165 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,500
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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