Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Fountain Valley School of Colorado

5.00 (5 reviews)
6155 Fountain Valley School Road Colorado Springs CO 80911
Tel: (719) 391-5251
www.fvs.edu
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) 8-12
  • Enrollment: 220 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,900
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #4 - Fountain Valley School offers visual art classes in ceramics, sculpture, painting/drawing, jewelry-making (metal-smithing), photography, and film. The School's three-story Art Barn is dedicated solely to the pursuit of these fields.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #5 - Colorado Springs, a city consistently ranked one of the best places to live and work according to "U.S. News & World Report," sees more than 300 days of sunshine annually!
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #6 - Interim Expeditions are one of the most meaningful experiences students will encounter throughout their time at FVS. Each spring, groups of students and faculty participate in experiential learning adventures across the United States and around the globe. Service and learning are core components, along with fun!
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #7 - The FVS campus is defined by its Adobe architecture, a signature of the American West. Students make themselves at home in no time at all at Fountain Valley School, which offers 10 spacious, Adobe residential houses built for small groups of 16 to 20 students each.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #8 - The Fountain Valley School campus features stunning views of Pikes Peak, America's mountain.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #9 - Located just two hours from Fountain Valley's 1,100-acre campus on the Prairie, the Class of 1969 Mountain Campus is a learning landscape and lodge that brings students and faculty together each academic year in a spectacular setting at the foot of the majestic Collegiate Peaks.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #10 - In addition to traditional athletic offerings, Fountain Valley's location in the west allows for non-traditional sports like Mountain Biking, Skiing, and Climbing!
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About the School

  • A Global Education Rooted in the American West.
  • Located on a secure 1,100-acre Prairie at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Fountain Valley serves a diverse, global community of boarding and day students grades 8 through 12 across more than 20 countries and 20 states.
  • Students are encouraged to take ownership of their education and are empowered to map their own paths to success at this college preparatory institution. The School's challenging academic programs promote independent thinking, globally-minded inquiry, problem-solving, experiential learning, and creative expression. Fountain Valley School's 1,100-acre Prairie campus provides abundant opportunities for student-athletes to pursue a number of mountain sports inspired by a western lifestyle like equestrian (English and Western), climbing, mountain biking, and skiing, as well as traditional sports. Students also take advantage of FVS's Mountain Campus located just two hours west near Buena Vista, Colo. for recreational and experiential learning.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) 8-12
  • Enrollment: 220 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,900
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School News

Top Rankings

Fountain Valley School of Colorado ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 93 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Low student-teacher ratio
Student Test Scores
High ACT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
8-12
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1930
1906
Campus Size
1100 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Courage, Compassion, and Curiosity

Student Body

Enrollment
220 students
320 students
% Students of Color
45%
27%
% International Students
25%
21%
% Students Boarding
70%
65%
Average SAT Score
1300
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
No uniform
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
74%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
# of AP Courses Offered
23
18
Courses
Advanced BiologyAdvanced Calculus AB
Advanced Calculus BCAdvanced Chemistry
Advanced Comparative GovernmentAdvanced Computer Science
Advanced English Language and CompositionAdvanced English Literature and Composition
Advanced Environmental ScienceAdvanced French
Advanced Global Scholar ResearchAdvanced Macroeconomics
Advanced MandarinAdvanced Microeconomics
Advanced Music TheoryAdvanced Physics C: Mechanics
Advanced PrecalculusAdvanced Spanish Language and Culture
Advanced Spanish Literature and CultureAdvanced Statistics
Advanced United States HistoryAdvanced World History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$58 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$75,900
$71,797
Tuition international students
$75,900
$59,000
% Students on Financial Aid
45%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$28,000
(Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships available)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
70%
64%
Director of Admissions
Avery Wilkerson
Associate Director of Admissions
[email protected]

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
12
17
Sports
BasketballCross Country
DivingEquestrian
LacrosseMountain Biking
Rock ClimbingSkiing
SoccerSwimming
TennisVolleyball
Colors
Red, White, Gray
School Mascot
Danes

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
21
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Admission AmbassadorAsian Alliance
Athenaea (Student Newspaper)Big Sib Program
Black Student UnionCommunity Honor Council
Environmental ClubInternational Students Club
MatchwitsPrefects
Robotics TeamRound Square
Student GovernmentThe Owl (Yearbook)


Arts and Music Programs:
Concert BandConcert Choir
Jazz BandTheater
Theater Tech


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Outdoor Rock Climbing ClubSkiing and Snowboarding

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
Year: 2022 - 2025
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
University of Colorado Boulder
17
New York University
9
Colorado State University
8
Northeastern University
6
Montana State University
5
Boston University
4
Chapman University
4
Santa Clara University
4
Cornell University
3
University of Denver
3
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • Exploration and learning on Fountain Valley School's 1,100-acre campus in the great American West builds an incredible foundation for personal growth. FVS faculty come from diverse backgrounds and offer high-level academics supplemented by their own professional experiences. Small class sizes allow for knowledge, growth, and discussions that stretch far beyond any had at schools that teach to the test, because that is not the metric used at FVS. Rather, FVS students learn by doing, as faculty emphasize experiential learning throughout the School's challenging curriculum. 
  • Fountain Valley School's Class of 1969 Mountain Campus, located approximately two hours west of Colorado Springs, serves as a learning landscape and lodge that invites adventure and brings students and faculty together in yet another spectacular setting throughout the academic year. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Collegiate Peaks, the Mountain Campus is the scenic homebase for many FVS outings, seminars, and class retreats, and a place for learning, camaraderie, and fun. Generations of students have bonded at this extraordinary place, and FVS alumni spanning the globe have dedicated their time and resources to the renovation and upkeep of this historic treasure. 
  • The combination of an international student body and Western setting is what makes Fountain Valley School truly unique. A purposeful approach to global education provides students with on-campus cultural events, excursions throughout the region, and opportunities for international travel each spring during Interim Expeditions. In addition, the School's world-class location offers a unique twist on the traditional boarding school experience by offering immediate access to countless natural resources and activities, including both English and Western Riding.
  • Fountain Valley's Prairie is home to approximately 60 School-owned horses and includes space for student-riders to board their own horse. Indoors and out, the accommodations for horse and rider, including one of the largest indoor arenas in the State, are vast. With the barn and riding facilities located in the same area as the athletic center, students are able to ride every day, which gives them an edge in the competitive arena.
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Fountain Valley School of Colorado cost?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado's tuition is approximately $75,900 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The acceptance rate of Fountain Valley School of Colorado is 70%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does Fountain Valley School of Colorado offer?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado offers 12 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Equestrian, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is Fountain Valley School of Colorado's ranking?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student-teacher ratio and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado is Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2023
5.00
Harvard
Fountain Valley is not a competitive environment, but has the potential to raise champions. From the school, I know incredibly successful people that have been amicably exposed to an international array of people and places. . .

Class of 2020
5.00
Babson College
For me, FVS was a one-of-a-kind experience. In my search for boarding schools, FVS stood out for two reasons. First, the school combines an Eastern education—liberal arts & sciences—with an adventurous and outdoorsy environment typically. . .

Class of 2015
5.00
University of Colorado at Boulder
There is a required trip the week before spring break where you can go to the Bahamas to learn about marine life, go to China, France, New Orleans, and many other places. The majority of. . .
Show more reviews (2 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) 8-12
  • Enrollment: 220 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,900
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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