Verde Valley School
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.
Alumni Reviews Review School
- Review Description
- Chapman University 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. . .
- Northern Arizona University I loved going to this school. You really feel connected with the teachers since the class size is around 10-13. The faculty also ends up being your coaches and even your dorm parents. While I. . .
- Stanford University This school is quite possibly located in one of the most scenic places in the country, and the outdoor activities available to the students of VVS make it an incredible place. . .
- Show more reviews (9 reviews)
Top Rankings
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Verde Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 303 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Diversity High percentage of international students
- Offering Breadth High # of AP/advanced courses offered
- Student Test Scores High SSAT scores
| Definition of Terms | 2021 School Data | Verde Valley School | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 9-12 | 9-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Supports Learning Differences (LD) | Yes | Yes |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1948 | 1907 |
| Campus Size | 175 acres | 125 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 120 students | 300 students |
| % Students of Color | 12% | 25% |
| % International Students | 52% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 84% | 70% |
| Average SAT Score | 1220 | * National Avg. »View |
| Average ACT score | 22 | *National Avg. » View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | No | No |
Academics and Faculty
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 12 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 6:1 | 7:1 |
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 26 | 18 |
| Number of IB Courses Offered | 29 | - |
| ESL Courses Offered | Yes | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 75% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | No | Yes |
Tuition Cost
| Endowment Size | $4 million | $25 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $54,000 | $59,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | n/a | $33,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (5 Day Boarding) | $45,000 | $44,100 |
| % Students on Financial Aid | 38% | 40% |
| Avg. Financial Aid Grant | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | No | No |
Acceptance Rate
| Application Deadline | None / Rolling | Jan. 15 |
| Accepts Standardized Application | Yes | No |
| SSAT Required | No | Yes |
| Average Percentile SSAT | 80% | - |
| Acceptance Rate | 70% | 58% |
| Director of Admissions | Kim Hollingsworth | |
| Associate Director of Admissions | Michelle Williams | |
Course Listings
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
AP / Advanced Courses
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 26 | 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 | 13 | 16 |
| Sports | Basketball, Cross Country Running, Dance, Equestrian, Golf, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball | |
Extracurriculars
| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 13 | 23 |
| Extracurriculars | Drama Society, Equestrian Club, Fencing Club, Horizons Historical Review Club or Organization: History Movie Club Recreational Athletic Programs: Archery Club, Cadet Band, 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) | |
| Link to Matriculation Data | ||
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.
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