Verde Valley School (2025 Profile)

5.00 (12 reviews)

Tel: (928) 284-2272

3511 Verde Valley School Road
Sedona, AZ 86351

www.vvsaz.org

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Verde Valley School Photo #1 - World class rock climbing and hundreds of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails near our campus keep our afternoon activities program varied and exciting.

Verde Valley School Photo #2 - Our individualized college counseling program allows students the freedom to find the best fit for them and sends VVS graduates to some of the most recognized colleges and universities in the country, including Dartmouth College, Stanford University, Middlebury College and the University of California system.

Verde Valley School Photo #3 - Nothing beats a Sedona view. Located in the red rocks of Northern Arizona, Verde Valley School is surrounded by national forest land with hiking, biking and horseback riding trails originating from our 170 acre campus. Phoenix, America's 6th largest city, is just 90 miles south.

Verde Valley School Photo #4 - The Equestrian program at Verde Valley School is varied and exciting. Riders can ride both Western and English, on trail rides or in our arena. Our campus herd is 30 strong and riders can also board their horse. The program is open to beginners and experts alike. The horse/rider bond is stressed and riders also assist with important jobs around the barn like giving vaccinations and horse care.

Verde Valley School Photo #5 - Students travel to Malawi, Africa for a month during the summer to distribute over 3,000 pairs of eyeglasses, play with HIV/AID positive children and build schools in villages.

Verde Valley School Photo #6 - Write, score and perform an original musical. Create your own violin in welding class and play it with the VVS rock or jazz band! Our approach to the arts is student-centered, performance-based and quite unique.

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 280 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2024 School Data

Verde Valley School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1948

1907

Campus Size

175 acres

125 acres

Colors

White, Green

School Calendar

View 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%

21%

% Students Boarding

70%

67%

Average SAT Score

1200
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

10 students

* National Avg. »18

Student : Teacher Ratio

6:1

7:1

Number of IB Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

86%

72%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size

$1 million

$30 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$60,000

$66,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$33,000

$35,500

Tuition international students

$63,000

$58,300

% Students on Financial Aid

45%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$15,000

$25,000

Merit Scholarships Offered

Yes

Admissions

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Average Percentile SSAT

80%

Acceptance Rate

60%

64%

Director of Admissions

John Gordon

Associate Director of Admissions

Zane Dickey

Application URL

Online Application

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

n/a

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

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, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

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

College Matriculation

Year:

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

School Mascot: Coyotes
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

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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 Alumni #1
Class of 2017
5.008/14/2018
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. . .

Verde Valley School Alumni #2
Class of 1980
5.0011/20/2017
UCLA

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 Alumni #3
Class of 1982
5.003/26/2016
Macalester College

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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