Verde Valley is an International Baccalaureate World School, with the IB curriculum for all students in grades 11 and 12.
Nestled within the beautiful scenery of Sedona, Arizona, Verde Valley offers a rigorous academic program, inspiration for artistic and musical expression, and exciting outdoor activities including one of the most diverse equestrian programs in the West.
Life at VVS revolves around our five guiding principles: academic excellence, world citizenship, environmental stewardship, physical labor and service to others.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 120 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $60,000
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $33,000
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Verde Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 277 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1948
1907
Campus Size
175 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
First Day of School
Fri. Aug 22, 2025
Student Body
Enrollment
120 students
319 students
% Students of Color
18%
27%
% International Students
30%
20%
% Students Boarding
70%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
Number of IB Courses Offered
25
-
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
86%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$1 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$60,000
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$33,000
$36,000
Tuition international students
$63,000
$57,650
% Students on Financial Aid
45%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$15,000
$25,000
Admissions
Average Percentile SSAT
80%
-
Acceptance Rate
60%
64%
Director of Admissions
John Gordon
Associate Director of Admissions
Zane Dickey
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
18
Courses
IB Higher Level Biology, IB Higher Level Ceramics, IB Higher Level Drawing, IB Higher Level English Literature, IB Higher Level French , IB Higher Level German, IB Higher Level History of the Americas, IB Higher Level Mathematics , IB Higher Level Music, IB Higher Level Painting, IB Higher Level Photography, IB Higher Level Social and Cultural Anthropology , IB Higher Level Spanish, IB Higher Level Theatre, IB Standard Level Ceramics, IB Standard Level English Literature, IB Standard Level Environmental Systems and Societies, IB Standard Level French, IB Standard Level German, IB Standard Level History of the Americas, IB Standard Level Mandarin an initio, IB Standard Level Mathematics, IB Standard Level Music, IB Standard Level Painting, IB Standard Level Photography, IB Standard Level Spanish, IB Standard Level Theatre, Theory of Knowledge
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
18
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
11
23
Extracurriculars
Drama Society, Equestrian Club, Horizons Historical Review
Club or Organization:
History Movie Club, student government
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Co-Ed Soccer, Creative Writing & Publishing, Current Events Roundtable, Film & Video Club, Hiking Club, Outdoorsmen Club
Club or Organization:
History Movie Club, student government
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Co-Ed Soccer, Creative Writing & Publishing, Current Events Roundtable, Film & Video Club, Hiking Club, Outdoorsmen Club
College Matriculation
Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- Verde Valley School is situated among the majestic mountains of Sedona, Arizona, providing inspiration for artistic and musical expression. The natural beauty surrounding the campus also serves as a natural classroom for unique field-based learning experiences, including anthropological and geological studies.
- Verde Valley School is one of the few boarding schools in the U.S. to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curriculum as its sole curriculum to 11th and 12th grade students.
- We have an exciting and diverse studio and performing arts program. Students participate actively in the official governance of our school, and with faculty, perform much the physical labor maintaining the campus.
- Graduates of Verde Valley School are individuals who are ethical, possess a strong sense of personal and social responsibility, are skilled in ways that enable them to participate effectively in community building and decision making, appreciative of the dignity of physical work, open to the discovery and enduring satisfactions of artistic creation, knowledgeable about the depth and range of our shared cultural heritage, prepared for entry into the university of their choice, generous in spirit, mindful of the importance of citizenship and ready to practice its privileges and obligations.
- Verde Valley School accreditations: International Baccalaureate World School, and the North Central Association
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- David Calley '81 - is the co-founder of Southwest Windpower of Flagstaff, a company designed to produce energy at a reasonable cost and to make the knowledge and the equipment available globally.
- Celia Lowenstein ’71 - is an awarding-winning producer/director whose films are regularly shown at international film festivals and screened on television channels around the world. She has lectured in film studies at Oxford University.
- Jean Strouse '63 - is the author of Morgan, American Financier (1999) and Alice James, A Biography (1980), which won the Bancroft Prize in American History and Diplomacy.
- Rick Ridder '71 - is the co-founder of RBI Strategies & Research, consultant to national presidential campaigns.
- Ramona Sakiestewa '66 - is one of Native America's most influential artists
- Chris Horner '71 - is a film-maker, writer, photographer and designer
- Benson K. Whitney '74 - served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway under Presidents Bush and Obama
- Carol Tantau '63 - is a leader in domestic violence prevention.
- Phil Noyes '84 - is a documentary filmmaker and producer at PBS.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Verde Valley School cost?
Verde Valley School's tuition is approximately $60,000 for boarding students and $33,000 for day students.
What schools are Verde Valley School often compared to?
Verde Valley Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like The Orme School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Verde Valley School?
The acceptance rate of Verde Valley School is 60%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Verde Valley School?
Verde Valley School famous alumni include: David Calley '81, Celia Lowenstein ’71, Jean Strouse '63, Rick Ridder '71, Ramona Sakiestewa '66, Chris Horner '71, Benson K. Whitney '74, Carol Tantau '63 and Phil Noyes '84.
What sports does Verde Valley School offer?
Verde Valley School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Equestrian, Golf, Mountain Biking, Riding, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
What is Verde Valley School's ranking?
Verde Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Verde Valley School?
The application deadline for Verde Valley School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Verde Valley School is a very unique day and boarding school in Sedona, AZ. Throughout my four years, 2 of being a day student and 2 of boarding, I fell in love with VVS and. . .
Verde Valley School, founded in 1948 is located in a secluded valley twelve miles from Sedona, Arizona - so its location is both unique and magnificent. From its inception, Verde Valley has been focused on. . .
Verde Valley School offered me deep academic challenges rooted in student choice and responsibility. The school and EVERYONE in it served to open my eyes to the diversity and possible integration of people and disciplines. . .
Show more reviews (9 reviews)
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Popular comparisons: Verde Valley School vs. The Orme School
People that viewed Verde Valley School also viewed these schools: The Orme School, Foxcroft School, Fountain Valley School of Colorado, Cate School and Asheville School.
The nearest boarding school to Verde Valley School is The Orme School (30.2 miles away)
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