Verde Valley School
Surrounded by the red rock mountains of Sedona, Arizona, VVS is an International Baccalaureate, college-preparatory boarding and day school. The School was founded in 1948 as one of the nation's first truly international, multicultural boarding schools. Since 2007, VVS has been an IB World School, with the IB as the sole curriculum in grades 11 and 12. At VVS life revolves around the five mission principles: college preparation; world citizenship; the value of physical labor; service to others; and environmental stewardship. Students enjoy a remarkable outdoor program, competitive sports, an equestrian program, and competitive cycling.
3511 Verde Valley School Road, Sedona, Arizona, USA 86351
Co-Ed, No Religious Affiliation
- Application Deadline: March 01
- Founded: 1948
- Campus Size: 71 acres
- Grades Offered: 9th-12th
- Accredited by: NCA-CASI
Student Body
|
|
Boarding
Grades 9th-12th |
Day
Grades 9th-12th |
Total |
|
Girls |
59 |
4 |
63 |
|
Boys |
49 |
8 |
57 |
|
Total |
108 |
12 |
120 |
Tuition and Financial Aid
- 7-Day Boarding: $41,400
- 5-Day Boarding: N/A
- Day Tuition Fee: $22,840
- Payment Plans: Offered
- Need-Based Aid: Offered
- Students Receiving Aid: 47.00%
- Average Awarded: $23,500
Summary: VVS offers the the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th grades, and a pre-IB curriculum for 9th and 10th grades. The IB is a comprehensive and challenging curriculum that demands the best from both motivated students and teachers. This two-year curriculum covers a wide range of academic subjects that, since 1968, have stood the test of time for over half a million students in 119 countries. An IB Diploma Programme is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. Our students demonstrate a capacity for both indepth study and a broad understanding of the different subject areas. They are able to ask challenging questions. They learn how to research a topic and express their opinions. They develop a strong sense of their own culture and identity, as well as the ability to communicate in two or more languages with people who have a different perspective of the world. The IB Diploma Programme contains six subject groups, and three core re-quirements that are integral to the curriculum and make the IB Diploma unique: Theory of Knowledge (TOK): an internally and externally assessed interdisciplinary component that explores the different concepts of knowledge found in the six groups. Extended Essay (EE): an externally assessed independent research assignment of 4,000 words, topically drawn from one of the six groups. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): a minimum of 150 hours over two years in creative, physical, and service activities in the local and global community. Students are required to keep a log of their CAS activities. VVS students are enrolled in at least six courses during the academic day, and these courses cover the six IB subject groups. In 9th and 10th grade courses, students are given a strong foundation for the IB courses they will take in their 11th and 12th grade IB courses. Diploma Candidates are also enrolled in the Theory of Knowledge seminar, and they are required to write an Extended Essay and complete the Creativity Action and Service component in order to receive the IB Diploma.
Department Director: Paul Stein
Average Class Size: 13
Full Time Teachers: 23
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 58.00%
Student/Teacher Ratio: 7/1
Summer Programs Offered: Offered
Advanced/Enrichment Programs
- International Baccalaureate，International，Annual Project Period
Support Programs
- College Counseling，ESL: Beginning，ESL: Intermediate，ESL: Advanced，Evening Study Assistance，Peer Tutoring，Study Skills Assistance，Subject Tutoring，Technology Center，Writing Center，Annual Field Trips
English:
- Literature，HL and SL classes cover many of these subjects.
History:
- United States History，World History
Foreign Languages:
Religion/Philosophy:
- Theory of Knowledge covers many of these subjects.
Humanities/Social Sciences:
- Anthropology，Theory of Knowledge
Sciences:
- Biology，Chemistry，Environmental Science，Physical Science，Physics
Math:
- Algebra，IB SL Math: Algebra I, II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus
Music:
- Band，Choral Music，History of Music，Individual Instructions，Music Appreciation，Music Histor，Music Theory，Voice，IB Music courses cover many of these subjects.
Performing/Visual Arts:
- Acting，Art，Art History，Ceramics，Design，Dram，Drawing，Painting，Photography，Pottery，Public Speaking，Sculpture，Studio Art，Intro to Music, HL Music, Music Theory
Special Programs:
- Community Service，Leadership，Outdoor Education
AP Courses Available:
- IB credits are equal to AP credits
Summary: VVS students come from around the world to live and work together surrounded by the some of the world's most stunning views. Visitors to our school always comment on the friendliness of the students, and how happy they are. Our students work hard and take care of each other. Faculty live in adjoining apartments and are available to help students throughout the day and evening. Teachers offer evening study sessions before tests and exams in the common rooms, and peer-tutors and individual faculty help are available every night as well. Our location next to a National Forrest provides opportunities to go mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. On weekends, faculty are available to take students on trips, go shopping, camping, theater, etc.
Department Director: Paul Hansen
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 7，Average Students per Dorm: 17，No. of Girls Dorms: 4，No. of Boys Dorms: 3
Dorm Amenities: Laundry Facilities，Lounge，Wireless Internet
Dress Code: Other
Student Life
Summary: Students participate in the governance of the school. There are two class presidents for each class, along with opportunities to serve on the disciplinary, community life, and food committees. VVS has a number of unique traditions: juniors host a dinner dance for seniors, the sophomores prepare a BBQ for seniors, a fire run takes place each spring during which juniors receive their class rings. Our students are integrated in the dorms - students of all ages live together which creates a family-style atmosphere in the dorms. Residential assistants are leaders in the dorm and are selected from the junior and senior classes to help dorm parents provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere. VVS also believes in the value of physical labor. Students help maintain the school's landscape, recycling, and buildings through the work jobs program.
Facilites
- Basketball court(s)，Fitness Center，Soccer and Softball Fields, Equestrian Facilities
Clubs and Organizations
- Astronomy Club，Community Service，Dorm Proctors，Fencing，Food Council，Gardening，Horseback Riding，International Clubs，Model UN，National Honor Society，Newspaper，Peer Tutoring，Photography，Student Activities，Student Government，Theater，Weightlifting，Yearbook，Yoga，GSA
Summary: VVS has competitive boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, tennis, road cycling, and golf. Our non-competitive sports include: archery, fencing, yoga, dance conditioning, hiking, Latin dance, fitness, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Our Equestrian Program - with 25 horses - gi
Arts Department Director: Lucy Nelson
Athletics Department Director: Matt Moran
Notable Achievements: 1st in State in Girls Tennis, Arizona State Road Race Championship, Best of Show and 1st Prize in Art Exhibit
Arts
- A Cappella Group，Choral Music，Dance，Guitar Ensemble，Rock Band，String Ensemble，Tech Crew，Theater
Interscholastic Sports
- Basketball，Camping，Dance，Equestrian，Fencing，Golf，Hiking，Horseback Riding，Martial Arts，Mountain Biking，Soccer，Softball，Tennis，Weight Lifting
Recreational Sports
- Camping，Cross-Country Running，Dance，Equestrian，Fencing，Hiking，Horseback Riding，Kayaking，Martial Arts，Mountain Biking，Outdoor Education，Rock Climbing，Softball，Table Tennis，Tennis，Weight Lifting，Archery
Summary: The VVS college counselor works with students beginning in 9th grade to prepare them for the road to college. Each year, students receive more focused help with schedules, timetables, and workshops. Parents receive a monthly newsletter from the college counselor helping them better understand the process. All of our graduates attend four-year universities or colleges throughout the world.
Department Director: Jenifer Gill
College Information
Percentage of Graduates Who Attend College: 100.00%
Colleges attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
|
University of Arizona |
6 graduates |
|
Drexel University |
2 graduates |
|
Stanford University |
6 graduates |
|
Smith College |
2 graduates |
|
Dartmouth College |
2 graduates |
|
Johns Hopkins |
1 graduates |
|
Parsons School of Design |
2 graduates |
|
Boston College |
3 graduates |
|
University of Illinois |
6 graduates |
|
St. John's College |
3 graduates |
|
Reed College |
2 graduates |
|
Purdue |
1 graduates |
|
Syracuse |
1 graduates |
|
Vanderbilt |
1 graduates |
|
Vassar |
3 graduates |
|
Mt. Holyoke |
2 graduates |
|
Boston University |
5 graduates |
|
College of William & Mary |
3 graduates |
|
Harvey Mudd |
1 graduates |
|
Claremont |
1 graduates |
Notable Alumni
Rick Ridder (Class of 1971) Rick Ridder is president and co-founder of Ridder/Braden Strategies and Research, Inc. of Denver, Colorado – considered one of the leading international political consulting firms. He has been a senior consultant to three presidential campaigns including both Clinton/Gore campaigns, and national field director for two other presidential bids.
Quotes from Alumni
I don’t even know how to begin to express the magnitude of my gratitude to this school and the many people who have shaped my VVS experience.
-MeMe Bill, Class of 2010, Attending the University of Arizona
I am gratified that VVS works so hard to provide and promote diversity. VVS sends its students out into the world, far more enriched by diversity of experience, ideas and cultures.
-Jazz Campbell, Class of 2010, Attending Whitman College
Summary: For five years, VVS students have traveled to Malawi to implement the UN's Millennium Development Goals in a small village. Our students have built classrooms, homes, installed solar lights and built beds for the maternity ward. They have brought with them hundreds of anti-malarial nets to protect children.
