Sun Valley Community School

1 Community School Drive
Sun Valley, ID 83353
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Sun Valley Community School Photo #1 - Students from around the nation and world come to Sun Valley Community School in Sun Valley, Idaho, to fulfill their potential and pursue their passions.
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Sun Valley Community School Photo #1 - Students from around the nation and world come to Sun Valley Community School in Sun Valley, Idaho, to fulfill their potential and pursue their passions.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #2 - Within the framework of a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, we encourage students to pursue their personal interests and passions with conviction.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #3 - Our location allows students to enjoy a wide range of mountain activities that span four seasons. Students participate in alpine, big mountain, cross-country, freeski, and backcountry skiing, hiking, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, figure skating, hockey, and more.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #4 - Outstanding academics, close teacher and student relationships, and a distinctive educational experience prepare our graduates to lead impactful, purposeful lives.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #5 - The Outdoor Leadership Academy develops authentic leadership skills applicable from the backcountry to the board room. Students earn outdoor certifications and master outdoor skills while fostering a love for wild places.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #6 - Alpine, big mountain, cross country, freeski, and mogul skiers, and snowboarders from around the world have joined the Sun Valley Ski Academy program. We provide an outstanding academic program that gives student-athletes a solid foundation for college with the flexibility to pursue intensive training and competition schedules.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #7 - Whether singing, acting, painting, drawing, or playing an instrument, our Creative Arts Academy allows students to realize their potential as artists and performers.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #8 - Our Upper School (grades 9-12) students participate in a variety of competitive athletics, including soccer, cross-country running, mountain biking, basketball, golf, tennis, track and field, and girls' volleyball.
Sun Valley Community School Photo #9 - Sun Valley Community School graduates attend some of the best colleges and universities in the nation. By the time students graduate, they know themselves both as students and as people.
Community School is an independent pre-K-12 boarding and day school located on three campuses totalling 40 acres in iconic Sun Valley, Idaho.
Community School combines an outstanding academic program with an extensive outdoor program, taking advantage of the five mountain ranges that make up our backyard.
Our highly personalized approach to college counseling ensures that students are accepted to the best colleges and universities; More importantly, graduates find the ideal fit for the next step of their journey.
Our Outdoor Leadership Academy, Creative Arts Academy, and Sun Valley Ski Academy provide the classroom support and flexibility for our students to be able to pursue their outdoor, winter sport, and artistic ambitions at the highest level.
Sun Valley is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and brimming with culture and the arts; Residents live for adventure and enjoy a balanced lifestyle in this small, supportive and exciting mountain town.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
  • Enrollment: 435 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $56,900
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $38,100
  • Acceptance rate: 30%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 9 / Jul. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2023 School Data
Sun Valley Community School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1973
1907
Campus Size
40 acres
130 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
435 students
310 students
% Students of Color
4%
25%
% International Students
2%
20%
% Students Boarding
15%
69%
Average SAT Score
1280
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
26
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
15 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
67%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$8.23 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$56,900
$64,200
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$38,100
$34,180
Summer Program Cost
$1,050
(There are additional fees for summer term boarding.)
% Students on Financial Aid
30%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$13,000
$24,575
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Feb. 9 / Jul. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
30%
60%
Director of Admissions
Alessia Carega
Associate Director of Admissions
Christy Giles

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
12
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Community Service Club, DEI, Environmental Club, Fly Fishing Club, Investment Club, Model United Nations, Outdoor Leadership, Radio Station, Ultimate Frisbee Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Creative Arts Academy, Rock Band

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Kayaking Club

College Matriculation

Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)

School Notes

  • From our campus to the wilderness, we inspire students to think critically, engage confidently, embrace challenges, and lead impactful, purposeful lives.
  • Sun Valley Community School is made up of a community of curious minds, adventurous spirits, compassionate hearts, and critical thinkers who engage in learning and connect with one another in the thriving mountain community of Sun Valley, Idaho. Surrounded by six mountain chains in the heart of Idaho, Sun Valley Community School offers students the chance for an excellent academic education, combined with unrivaled outdoor and wilderness experiences.
  • Sun Valley Community School students come to know themselves and one another on campus and in the wilderness, finding joy and growth through academic challenge, outdoor experiences, artistic endeavors, and athletic passions.
  • We find students who thrive at Community School are independent, prefer a small, close-knit environment, have a love for the outdoors, and value their role and voice in the classroom. Our boarding program has a family feel with just 36 students who are excited about living in our cosmopolitan mountain town.
  • While we have established ourselves as a school that serves winter-sport athletes through the Sun Valley Ski Academy, we also have an incredible Outdoor Program, Outdoor Leadership Academy, and Creative Arts Academy. Upper School students spend 18 days per year on average in the field, all over the Western Region, with our renowned Outdoor Program.
  • We encourage you to watch the Discover Sun Valley Community School video to learn more about our school and the Sun Valley Ski Academy video to learn more about the exceptional education and opportunities we offer for winter sport athletes. 
  • Sun Valley Community School accreditations: TABS, NWAIS, NAIS
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Sun Valley Community School cost?
Sun Valley Community School's tuition is approximately $56,900 for boarding students and $38,100 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Sun Valley Community School?
The acceptance rate of Sun Valley Community School is 30%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
What sports does Sun Valley Community School offer?
Sun Valley Community School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Orienteering, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
Does Sun Valley Community School offer a summer program?
Yes, Sun Valley Community School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
When is the application deadline for Sun Valley Community School?
The application deadline for Sun Valley Community School is Feb. 9 / Jul. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 9 / Jul. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
  • Enrollment: 435 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $56,900
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $38,100
  • Acceptance rate: 30%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 9 / Jul. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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