Explore a world-class education in a world-class setting. 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 9 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 Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 230 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,900
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $40,700
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events and News
- Fountain Valley School’s “Decision 2024” Elective Prepares Students for Election Day and Beyond - 11/04/2024Fountain Valley School's "Decision 2024" elective educates high school students on the electoral process as well as the important role they will play as the youngest generation of voters.
- FVS Delegation Participates in Life-Changing Round Square International Conference in Bogota, Colombia - 10/24/2024In the fall of 2024, Fountain Valley the only Round Square partner school in Colorado sent a delegation of five students and two faculty to Bogot, Colombia for ...morean International Conference centered on reflecting on one's roots, learning from the past, and paving the path toward a better future. hide
- FVS Partners with Colorado League to Host First-Ever Mountain Bike Race on a School Campus in the Front Range - 09/18/2024Through a partnership with the Colorado High School Cycling League (Colorado League), Fountain Valley School (FVS) is pleased to host the inaugural Lazy B Ranch Rally high school mountain bike ...morerace from Friday, September 20, through Sunday, September 22, 2024. hide
- FVS Sophomore Shines on the International Stage Alongside Colorado Springs Youth Symphony - 07/15/2024In the summer of 2024, one Fountain Valley School (FVS) sophomore Mauricio V. '27 of Pueblo completed a weeks-long international tour alongside the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, the ...moreflagship ensemble of The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association (CSYSA). hide
- Alpinist Jamie Logan '65 Celebrates Debut of Independent Documentary Film, "Jamie" - 07/01/2024In May of 2024, Fountain Valley School celebrated one of its notable alumni legendary alpinist Jamie Logan '65 on campus with an exclusive screening of the short film ...moreJamie. hide
- Rising Junior Earns Prestigious Silver Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA - 06/17/2024In spring of 2024, FVS's own Sofa D.D. '26 joined a very small percentage of Cadettes nationwide when she received the Girl Scouts' Silver Award in recognition of her outstanding ...moreleadership, dedication, and service to the community. hide
- Global Scholar Diploma Projects Delve Deep Into Students' Chosen Fields of Interest - 05/14/2024Eight seniors from the FVS Class of 2024 Ella B., Naomi E., Molly F., Kaleb G., Greta K., Grizz M., Trayee R., and Annie W. completed Global Scholar ...moreor STEM Diploma Projects during the 2023-24 school year. hide
- An Inside Look at 2024 Senior Capstone Presentations: Part 3 - 05/10/2024Riho K.'s Senior Capstone project on Game Design and Sound Engineering Through Everyday Objects consisted of designing the interactive narrative game, "A Yearlong Journey at Mountain Rally School of Ohio." ...moreSet in a high school setting, each player's decisions determine how their senior year will pan out. Riho's creativity stretched far as she added original details to the game, such as sound effects "made with the program called Specdrums, which can turn any color into sound," she explains. hide
- An Inside Look at 2024 Senior Capstone Presentations: Part 2 - 05/09/2024Throughout her Senior Capstone, COVID-19's Impact on Social-Emotional Development, Lauren C. explored the impact of external stressors, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, on the social-emotional development of infants and toddlers. "My ...morefindings revealed significant setbacks in language, social communication, fine motor skills, and social-emotional competencies among children born during the pandemic," said Lauren, who spent the semester examining disruptions to early childhood education, caregiver dynamics, and support service access due to COVID-19. hide
- An Inside Look at 2024 Senior Capstone Presentations: Part 1 - 05/08/2024Will G. and Tanner M. collaborated on the Senior Capstone titled Road to Rock Stardom: Making Modern Music, as both worked diligently throughout the semester to achieve milestone goals in ...morethe music world, including writing lyrics, composing guitar riffs, and recording original audio. hide
- FVS Celebrates National Poetry Month with City-Wide "Athenaea" Poetry Competition for High School Students - 04/22/2024Parents, students, teachers, and the 6th Pikes Peak Region Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius gathered in the Hacienda living room at Fountain Valley School on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, for an ...moreintimate poetry reading meant to celebrate not only National Poetry Month but also the hard work of each contributor in this year's city-wide "Athenaea" poetry competition. hide
- FVS Thespians Present Winter Musical, "Matilda" - 02/28/2024The cast and crew of Fountain Valley School's 2024 winter musical, "Matilda," performed before a packed house in the Performing Arts Center each evening from Thursday, February 22 through Saturday, ...moreFebruary 24, 2024. This outstanding performance had FVS critics raving, "This was a fabulous production! Bravo FVS students and faculty for your talent, energy, skill, and passion. I was deeply impressed!" hide
- Living Off the Land: Sustainability in Academics at FVS - 02/20/2024Since 1930, Fountain Valley School has utilized its sprawling campus as a "living laboratory." Through a partnership between the School's faculty and in-house land management and grounds crews, FVS's new ...morefreshman curriculum aims to foster one-of-a-kind learning experiences for ninth-grade students at home on its 1,100-acre Prairie. hide
- Grant Monies Take Students Lightyears From Campus - 01/22/2024Thanks to a generous grant from the Lightner Sams Foundation, science classes at Fountain Valley School have gotten a whole lot brighter over the past several months! Using funds from ...morethe grant, the School purchased two telescopes and a portable 5" Newtonian reflector, along with soft cases, a solar filter, and a Wi-Fi module, for detailed viewing of planets, asteroids, and comets in our solar system, and deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. hide
- Food Rescue Program Promotes Community Partnership and Environmental Sustainability - 01/04/2024Founded by a graduating senior as part of a Capstone project in 2020, Fountain Valley Schools Food Rescue Program promotes sustainability among students and faculty while also benefiting the local ...morenonprofit organization known as Connections 4 Life. Students grades 9 through 12 gather after lunch once weekly to package, label, and deliver leftovers from the School Dining Hall to Connection 4 Life volunteers and employees, without whom the organization's Thursday Fresh Food Pantry would cease to exist. hide
- ...read more
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1930
1907
Campus Size
1100 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Truth and Honor
School Calendar
First Day of School
Tue. Aug 26, 2025
Student Body
Enrollment
230 students
320 students
% Students of Color
44%
27%
% International Students
25%
20%
% Students Boarding
70%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
20
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
63%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$50 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$75,900
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$40,700
$36,000
Tuition international students
$79,900
$57,680
% Students on Financial Aid
45%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$28,000
(Financial Aid and merit scholarships available.)
(Financial Aid and merit scholarships available.)
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
70%
64%
Director of Admissions
Alex Winnicker
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
20
18
Courses
2-D Studio Art, 3-D Studio Art, Advanced Biology, Advanced Calculus AB, Advanced Calculus BC, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Chinese Language and Culture, Advanced English Literature and Composition, Advanced Environmental Science, Advanced French Language and Culture, Advanced Music Theory, Advanced Physics C: Mechanics, Advanced Precalculus, Advanced Spanish Language and Culture, Advanced Statistics, Advanced United States Government & Politics, Advanced United States History, Advanced World History, Anatomy and Physiology, and Trigonometry, Authority & Theories of Human Nature, Colorado Natural History, Financial Math/Economic Reasoning, Functions, Global Citizenship, Global Studies, Honors Algebra II, Honors Chemistry, Honors Discrete Mathematics, Honors Freedom, Honors Geometry, Honors Linear Algebra, Honors World History, International Relations, Mandarin I-III, Principles of Engineering, Robotics, Spanish I-III, Spanish IV: Hispanic History, Statistics, Sustainable Science, U.S. History: Origins to 1877, World History and Geography, World Societies
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
20
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
15
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Academic Honor Society, Admission Ambassador, Athenaea-Student Newspaper, Board Game Club, Environmental Club, LGBTQIA+, Matchwits, Math Club, Model United Nations, Student Cultural Organization, Student Government, The Owl (Yearbook), Varsity Club, Western and English
Arts and Music Programs:
Art Barn Assistants
Academic Honor Society, Admission Ambassador, Athenaea-Student Newspaper, Board Game Club, Environmental Club, LGBTQIA+, Matchwits, Math Club, Model United Nations, Student Cultural Organization, Student Government, The Owl (Yearbook), Varsity Club, Western and English
Arts and Music Programs:
Art Barn Assistants
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Year: 2019 - 2022
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Chapman University
20
Colorado State University
20
New York University
20
Northeastern University
20
Santa Clara University
20
Syracuse University
20
University of Colorado Boulder
20
University of Puget Sound
20
University of Toronto
20
University of Washington
20
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.
- Fountain Valley School of Colorado accreditations: National Association of Independent Schools, Association of Colorado Independent Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Jeff Brabec, Ph.D., Alumni, Class of 2014 - Transformative Life Experiences -
- Burton McLucas, Alumni, Class of 1987, Parent, Class of 2026 - Impacting Generations -
Source: Verified school update
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 and $40,700 for day 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%.
Who are famous alumni from Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado famous alumni include: Jeff Brabec, Ph.D., Alumni, Class of 2014 - Transformative Life Experiences and Burton McLucas, Alumni, Class of 1987, Parent, Class of 2026 - Impacting Generations.
What sports does Fountain Valley School of Colorado offer?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado offers 20 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Intramural Sports Only, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Orienteering, Riding, Rock Climbing, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado is Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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. . .
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. . .
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Alumni #3
Class of 2015
5.001/16/2017
University of Colorado at Boulder
Class of 2015
5.001/16/2017
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)
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Fountain Valley School of Colorado also viewed these schools: Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Asheville School, Colorado Timberline Academy, Cranbrook Schools and Baylor School.
The nearest boarding school to Fountain Valley School of Colorado is Colorado Rocky Mountain School (142.7 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
174 students 142.7 miles 500 Holden Way
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-2562
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-2562
142.7
9-12
174
297 students 1232.7 miles 360 Asheville School Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 254-6345
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 254-6345
1232.7
9-12
297
40 students 190.5 miles 454 Academy Drive
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5898
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5898
190.5
9-12, PG
40
810 students 1152.5 miles PO Box 801 39221 Woodward Ave.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3610
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3610
1152.5
9-12
PK-12
PK-12
810
1,050 students 1097.3 miles 171 Baylor School Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 267-5902
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 267-5902
1097.3
9-12
6-12
6-12
1,050
Recent Articles
5 Reasons to Choose a Boys' School
Uncover the benefits of boys' schools, including tailored teaching methods, reduced social pressures, and opportunities for personal growth. Learn how these institutions foster an environment where boys can excel academically, explore diverse interests, and develop into well-rounded young men without gender stereotypes.
Mastering the Boarding School Selection Process: A 5-Step Guide
From casting a wide net when identifying schools, to narrowing your list, scheduling campus visits, preparing for admissions tests, and successfully managing your applications and financial aid, this comprehensive resource empowers families to make informed choices, stay organized, and find the best fit for their child’s needs. Discover actionable tips and expert advice to turn a daunting process into an exciting journey toward educational success.
Choosing a School: DO's and DON'TS
This article offers a practical, experience-based guide for families navigating the process of choosing a boarding school. With a focus on both essential steps and common pitfalls, it covers the importance of school visits, budgeting for unexpected expenses, involving your child in the decision, and striking the right balance between support and independence. Readers will find actionable advice and real-world considerations to help ensure the best possible fit for their child's educational journey.
