Verde Valley School vs. The Orme School
Should you attend Verde Valley School or The Orme 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
Verde Valley School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
The Orme School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Boarding Focus
Affordability
Student Attention
Overview
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.
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!
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12, PG
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1948
1929
Campus Size
175 acres
300 acres
Students Body
Enrollment
120
95
% Students of Color
12%
37%
% International Students
25%
40%
% Students Boarding
75%
100%
Average SAT Score
1220
1280
Average ACT score
22
28
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
Yes
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Less than once a month
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12
9
Student : Teacher ratio
6:1
4:1
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
26
16
Number of IB Courses Offered
29
n/a
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
95%
71%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Finances
Endowment Size
$1 million
$2 million
Tuition (Boarding Students)
$59,535
$51,500
Tuition (Day Students)
$33,000
n/a
Tuition (international students)
$62,160
$51,500
Tuition (5 Day Boarding)
$50,925
n/a
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$15,000
$24,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
$1
n/a
Admission
Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15 / rolling
Accepts Standardized Application
Yes
Yes
SSAT Required
No
No
Average Percentile SSAT
80
n/a
Acceptance Rate
60%
70%
Director of Admissions
John Gordon
Jara Ruiz Anchia
Associate Director of Admissions
Zane Dickey
n/a
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
26
16
Sport
Total Sports Offered
18
15
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
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Equestrian, Riding, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Wrestling
Extracurricular
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
11
13
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
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
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