A Global Education Rooted in the American West. Located on a secure 1,100-acre Prairie at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Fountain Valley serves a diverse, global community of boarding and day students grades 8 through 12 across more than 20 countries and 20 states.
Students are encouraged to take ownership of their education and are empowered to map their own paths to success at this college preparatory institution. The School's challenging academic programs promote independent thinking, globally-minded inquiry, problem-solving, experiential learning, and creative expression. Fountain Valley School's 1,100-acre Prairie campus provides abundant opportunities for student-athletes to pursue a number of mountain sports inspired by a western lifestyle like equestrian (English and Western), climbing, mountain biking, and skiing, as well as traditional sports. Students also take advantage of FVS's Mountain Campus located just two hours west near Buena Vista, Colo. for recreational and experiential learning.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
- Grades: (Day Students) 8-12
- Enrollment: 220 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,900
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School News
- Fountain Valley School’s “Decision 2024” Elective Prepares Students for Election Day and Beyond - 11/04/2024Fountain Valley School's "Decision 2024" elective educates high school students on the electoral process as well as the important role they will play as the youngest generation of voters.
- FVS Delegation Participates in Life-Changing Round Square International Conference in Bogota, Colombia - 10/24/2024In the fall of 2024, Fountain Valley the only Round Square partner school in Colorado sent a delegation of five students and two faculty to Bogot, Colombia for ...morean International Conference centered on reflecting on one's roots, learning from the past, and paving the path toward a better future. hide
- FVS Partners with Colorado League to Host First-Ever Mountain Bike Race on a School Campus in the Front Range - 09/18/2024Through a partnership with the Colorado High School Cycling League (Colorado League), Fountain Valley School (FVS) is pleased to host the inaugural Lazy B Ranch Rally high school mountain bike ...morerace from Friday, September 20, through Sunday, September 22, 2024. hide
Top Rankings
Fountain Valley School of Colorado ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 97 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Student Attention
Student Attention
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
8-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1930
1907
Campus Size
1100 acres
130 acres
First Day of School
Tue. Aug 25, 2026
School Motto
Courage, Compassion, and Curiosity
Student Body
Enrollment
220 students
320 students
% Students of Color
45%
27%
% International Students
25%
20%
% Students Boarding
70%
66%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
23
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
74%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
23
18
Courses
Advanced BiologyAdvanced Calculus AB
Advanced Calculus BCAdvanced Chemistry
Advanced Comparative GovernmentAdvanced Computer Science
Advanced English Language and CompositionAdvanced English Literature and Composition
Advanced Environmental ScienceAdvanced French
Advanced Global Scholar ResearchAdvanced Macroeconomics
Advanced MandarinAdvanced Microeconomics
Advanced Music TheoryAdvanced Physics C: Mechanics
Advanced PrecalculusAdvanced Spanish Language and Culture
Advanced Spanish Literature and CultureAdvanced Statistics
Advanced United States HistoryAdvanced World History
Tuition & Financial Aid
Endowment Size
$58 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$75,900
$69,500
Tuition international students
$75,900
$58,300
% Students on Financial Aid
45%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$28,000
(Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships available)
(Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships available)
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
70%
64%
Director of Admissions
Avery Wilkerson
Associate Director of Admissions
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
11
17
Colors
Not explicitly mentioned
School Mascot
Danes
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
21
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Admission AmbassadorAsian Alliance
Athenaea (Student Newspaper)Big Sib Program
Black Student UnionCommunity Honor Council
Environmental ClubInternational Students Club
MatchwitsPrefects
Robotics TeamRound Square
Student GovernmentThe Owl (Yearbook)
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Outdoor Rock Climbing ClubSkiing and Snowboarding
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Year: 2022 - 2025
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Colorado Boulder
17
New York University
9
Colorado State University
8
Northeastern University
6
Montana State University
5
Boston University
4
Chapman University
4
Santa Clara University
4
Cornell University
3
University of Denver
3
School Notes
- Exploration and learning on Fountain Valley School's 1,100-acre campus in the great American West builds an incredible foundation for personal growth. FVS faculty come from diverse backgrounds and offer high-level academics supplemented by their own professional experiences. Small class sizes allow for knowledge, growth, and discussions that stretch far beyond any had at schools that teach to the test, because that is not the metric used at FVS. Rather, FVS students learn by doing, as faculty emphasize experiential learning throughout the School's challenging curriculum.
- Fountain Valley School's Class of 1969 Mountain Campus, located approximately two hours west of Colorado Springs, serves as a learning landscape and lodge that invites adventure and brings students and faculty together in yet another spectacular setting throughout the academic year. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Collegiate Peaks, the Mountain Campus is the scenic homebase for many FVS outings, seminars, and class retreats, and a place for learning, camaraderie, and fun. Generations of students have bonded at this extraordinary place, and FVS alumni spanning the globe have dedicated their time and resources to the renovation and upkeep of this historic treasure.
- The combination of an international student body and Western setting is what makes Fountain Valley School truly unique. A purposeful approach to global education provides students with on-campus cultural events, excursions throughout the region, and opportunities for international travel each spring during Interim Expeditions. In addition, the School's world-class location offers a unique twist on the traditional boarding school experience by offering immediate access to countless natural resources and activities, including both English and Western Riding.
- Fountain Valley's Prairie is home to approximately 60 School-owned horses and includes space for student-riders to board their own horse. Indoors and out, the accommodations for horse and rider, including one of the largest indoor arenas in the State, are vast. With the barn and riding facilities located in the same area as the athletic center, students are able to ride every day, which gives them an edge in the competitive arena.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Fountain Valley School of Colorado cost?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado's tuition is approximately $75,900 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The acceptance rate of Fountain Valley School of Colorado is 70%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does Fountain Valley School of Colorado offer?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado offers 11 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Equestrian, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is Fountain Valley School of Colorado's ranking?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students), Small average class sizes, Low student-teacher ratio and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado is Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Fountain Valley is not a competitive environment, but has the potential to raise champions. From the school, I know incredibly successful people that have been amicably exposed to an international array of people and places. . .
For me, FVS was a one-of-a-kind experience. In my search for boarding schools, FVS stood out for two reasons. First, the school combines an Eastern education—liberal arts & sciences—with an adventurous and outdoorsy environment typically. . .
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Alumni #3
Class of 2015
5.001/16/2017
University of Colorado at Boulder
Class of 2015
5.001/16/2017
University of Colorado at Boulder
There is a required trip the week before spring break where you can go to the Bahamas to learn about marine life, go to China, France, New Orleans, and many other places. The majority of. . .
Show more reviews (2 reviews)
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Fountain Valley School of Colorado also viewed these schools: Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Asheville School, Colorado Timberline Academy, Cranbrook Schools and Baylor School.
The nearest boarding school to Fountain Valley School of Colorado is Colorado Rocky Mountain School (142.7 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
500 Holden Way
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-2562
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-2562
142.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 60% Tuition listed
360 Asheville School Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 254-6345
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 254-6345
1232.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 13 students Acceptance rate: 40% Tuition listed
454 Academy Drive
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5898
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5898
190.5 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 6 students Acceptance rate: 90% Tuition listed
PO Box 801 39221 Woodward Ave.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3610
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3610
1152.5 miles
Gr: 9-12 | PK-12 (day) | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Avg. class size: 16 students Acceptance rate: 38% Tuition listed
171 Baylor School Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 267-5902
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 267-5902
1097.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 6-12 (day) | 1,120 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Avg. class size: 14 students Acceptance rate: 35% Tuition listed
Recent Articles
What Happens If You Fail a Class at Boarding School?
Learn what happens if you fail a class at boarding school, including academic probation, support programs, credit recovery, and college implications.
Independent Study and Research Opportunities at Boarding Schools
Explore independent study and research opportunities at boarding schools, including mentorship, capstone projects, and college preparation benefits.
Do Boarding School Students Study More? Daily Schedule Breakdown
Discover how much boarding school students really study with a realistic daily schedule breakdown and comparison to traditional day schools.
