The Orme School vs. Verde Valley School
Should you attend The Orme School or Verde Valley School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
Top Rankings
The Orme School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Boarding Focus
Affordability
Student Attention
Verde Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Overview
Established in 1929, Arizona's premier co-ed boarding school is nestled in a breathtaking 26,000-acre working cattle ranch. Experience an authentic Western atmosphere, small class sizes, and a vibrant global community.
We prioritize character development, intellectual curiosity, and academic success.
Join us for athletics, horsemanship, arts, rigorous academics (including AP courses), outdoor adventure, and more!
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.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
8-12, PG
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1929
1948
Campus Size
300 acres
175 acres
Students Body
Enrollment
95
120
% Students of Color
37%
12%
% International Students
40%
25%
% Students Boarding
100%
75%
Average SAT Score
1280
1220
Average ACT score
28
22
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
9
12
Student : Teacher ratio
4:1
6:1
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
16
26
Number of IB Courses Offered
n/a
29
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
71%
95%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
No
Finances
Endowment Size
$2 million
$1 million
Tuition (Boarding Students)
$51,500
$59,535
Tuition (Day Students)
n/a
$33,000
Tuition (international students)
$51,500
$62,160
Tuition (5 Day Boarding)
n/a
$50,925
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$24,000
$15,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
n/a
$1
Admission
Application Deadline
None / Rolling
None / Rolling
Accepts Standardized Application
Yes
Yes
SSAT Required
No
No
Average Percentile SSAT
n/a
80
Acceptance Rate
70%
60%
Director of Admissions
Jara Ruiz Anchia
John Gordon
Associate Director of Admissions
n/a
Zane Dickey
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
16
26
Sport
Total Sports Offered
15
18
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Equestrian, Riding, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Wrestling
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
Extracurricular
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
13
11
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Art Club, Caravan, Drama Club, Equestrian Club, Gardening Club, International Club, Mathletes, Outdoor Leadership, Robotics Club, Ski Club, Summer School and Camp, Sustainability Club, Technology Club
Co-Ed Soccer, Creative Writing & Publishing, Current Events Roundtable, Drama Society, Equestrian Club, Film & Video Club, Hiking Club, History Movie Club, Horizons Historical Review, Outdoorsmen Club, student government