Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Sun Valley Community School

1 Community School Drive Sun Valley ID 83353
Tel: (208) 622-3960 Ext. 243
www.communityschool.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 405 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $73,750
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,000
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 12 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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.
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About the School

  • We are 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.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 405 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $73,750
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,000
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 12 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

2026 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
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
1973
1906
Campus Size
44 acres
125 acres
Last Day of School
Fri. Jun 4, 2027
School Motto
From Here, Anywhere

Student Body

Enrollment
405 students
320 students
% Students of Color
6%
27%
% International Students
2%
21%
% Students Boarding
15%
65%
Average SAT Score
1280
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
28
(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
15 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
Cognia (formerly AdvancED / SACS CASI / NCA CASI) (Cognia)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$10 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$73,750
(Boarding tuition includes housing, food, school costs, books and 4 trips a year)
$71,797
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$43,000
$40,000
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
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Feb. 12 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
45%
64%
Director of Admissions
Alessia Carega
Associate Director of Admissions
Christy Giles
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
22
17
Sports
Alpine SkiingBasketball
ClimbingCross Country
Cross Country RunningFigure Skating
Freestyle SkiingGolf
KayakingMountain Biking
MountaineeringNordic Skiing
OrienteeringRiflery
Rock ClimbingSkiing
SnowboardingSoccer
TennisTrack and Field
Ultimate FrisbeeVolleyball
Colors
White, Navy Blue
School Mascot
Cutthroat

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
12
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Community Service ClubDEI
Environmental ClubFly Fishing Club
Investment ClubModel United Nations
Outdoor LeadershipRadio Station
Ultimate Frisbee Club


Arts and Music Programs:
Creative Arts AcademyRock Band


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Kayaking Club

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • From our campus to the wilderness, our mission is to inspire students to think critically, engage confidently, embrace challenges, and lead impactful, purposeful lives.
  • 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. Please come explore our website and reach out to us with any questions!
  • 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. We encourage you to explore our beautiful campus through our interactive virtual tour.
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Sun Valley Community School cost?
Sun Valley Community School's tuition is approximately $73,750 for boarding students and $43,000 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Sun Valley Community School?
The acceptance rate of Sun Valley Community School is 45%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does Sun Valley Community School offer?
Sun Valley Community School offers 22 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Orienteering, Riflery, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee 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. 12 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 12 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 405 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $73,750
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,000
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 12 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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