Fountain Valley School of Colorado

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Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #1 - Fountain Valley School offers visual art classes in ceramics, sculpture, painting/drawing, jewelry-making (metal-smithing), photography, and film. The School's three-story Art Barn is dedicated solely to the pursuit of these fields.
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Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #1 - Fountain Valley School offers visual art classes in ceramics, sculpture, painting/drawing, jewelry-making (metal-smithing), photography, and film. The School's three-story Art Barn is dedicated solely to the pursuit of these fields.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #2 - The FVS campus is defined by its Adobe architecture, a signature of the American West. Students make themselves at home in no time at all at Fountain Valley School, which offers 10 spacious, Adobe residential houses built for small groups of 16 to 20 students each.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #3 - Fountain Valley School is a coed independent college preparatory school offering boarding and day programs for students grades 9-12. FVS was established in 1930 and is located on an 1,100-acre campus in Colorado Springs, Colo., approximately 70 miles (115 km) south of Denver. Colorado's mountain ski resorts are two hours to the west.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #4 - As opposed to encountering the traditional high school model wherein hundreds of students share one guidance counselor, students at FVS are assigned a faculty advisor to whom they can turn for assistance with choosing their courses, tackling a difficult subject, managing their schedule, or navigating other facets of school life.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #5 - Fountain Valley dorms can accommodate two to three occupants, and each house includes a communal kitchen and common space, fireplace, and patio.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #6 - Located just two hours from Fountain Valley's 1,100-acre campus on the Prairie, the Class of 1969 Mountain Campus is a learning landscape and lodge that brings students and faculty together each academic year in a spectacular setting at the foot of the majestic Collegiate Peaks.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #7 - In addition to traditional athletic offerings, Fountain Valley's location in the west allows for non-traditional sports like Mountain Biking, Skiing, and Climbing!
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #8 - The Fountain Valley School campus features stunning views of Pikes Peak, America's mountain.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #9 - Fountain Valley School's riding program caters to all riders from competitive and experienced to never-ridden and the facilities for both horse and rider are first rate. Students can ride five days a week, English or Western, and compete in the IEA. Bring your horse to school with you or ride one of FVS's horses!
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #10 - Many of FVS's classes use the School's 1100-acre Prairie campus as an extension of the classroom. A 12:1 student-teacher ratio fosters strong connections and in-depth discussions across over 100 courses.
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Photo #11 - Interim Expeditions are one of the most meaningful experiences students will encounter throughout their time at FVS. Each spring, groups of students and faculty participate in experiential learning adventures across the United States and around the globe. Service and learning are core components, along with fun!
Fountain Valley School is a boarding and day high school located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, offering a domestic and international boarding and day school program for students grades 9-12.
FVS offers a diverse, global community of students spanning over 20 countries and 20 states that's deeply committed to a world-class education in a world-class location. As a member of Round Squarea worldwide network of more than 230 schoolsFountain Valley's students can also participate in international exchanges around the globe.
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 Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CO School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 239 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $39,000
  • Acceptance rate: 75%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Upcoming Events and News

  • Living Off the Land: Sustainability in Academics at FVS - 02/20/2024
    Since 1930, Fountain Valley School has utilized its sprawling campus as a "living laboratory." Through a partnership between the School's faculty and in-house land management and grounds crews, FVS's new ...morefreshman curriculum aims to foster one-of-a-kind learning experiences for ninth-grade students at home on its 1,100-acre Prairie. hide
  • Grant Monies Take Students Lightyears From Campus - 01/22/2024
    Thanks to a generous grant from the Lightner Sams Foundation, science classes at Fountain Valley School have gotten a whole lot brighter over the past several months! Using funds from ...morethe grant, the School purchased two telescopes and a portable 5" Newtonian reflector, along with soft cases, a solar filter, and a Wi-Fi module, for detailed viewing of planets, asteroids, and comets in our solar system, and deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. hide
  • Food Rescue Program Promotes Community Partnership and Environmental Sustainability - 01/04/2024
    Founded by a graduating senior as part of a Capstone project in 2020, Fountain Valley Schools Food Rescue Program promotes sustainability among students and faculty while also benefiting the local ...morenonprofit organization known as Connections 4 Life. Students grades 9 through 12 gather after lunch once weekly to package, label, and deliver leftovers from the School Dining Hall to Connection 4 Life volunteers and employees, without whom the organization's Thursday Fresh Food Pantry would cease to exist. hide
  • Malia S. '24 Commits to the LIU Women's Equestrian Team - 11/11/2023
    After securing a remarkable high school record in English Riding throughout her four years at Fountain Valley School (FVS) in Colorado Springs, Colo., Malia S. '24, a young and accomplished ...morerider, has committed to joining the Division 1 Equestrian Team at Long Island University (LIU). hide
  • Nuin-Tara Key ’99: A Visionary Pioneer at the Forefront of Climate Change - 11/10/2023
    Her mother named her after a character in the book, "A Far Off Place," a young woman with exceptional strength and selflessness. While Nuin-Tara Key '99 would be too modest ...moreto acknowledge that the name suits her, her professional accomplishments creating and implementing public policies that impact the climate crisis affirm her mother's prescience. "I am optimistic that it is fully within our capacities to do what we need to do to address the climate crisis and to really drive the change that we need," says Nuin-Tara. hide
  • Jeffrey Brabec, Ph.D. '14: Carving His Own Destiny - 11/10/2023
    In his application to FVS, Jeffrey Brabec '14 said he wanted to be a writer and college professor, and his mom wrote that his academic weakness was in math. Could ...morethe then 13-year-old Jeff who struggled in math have ever imagined his future self as a Ph.D. neuroscientist? In his junior year at FVS, Jeff began to enjoy science. "I think college and grad school would have worked themselves out," says Jeff, "but I [underwent] a lot of educational and emotional growth at Fountain Valley. I had experiences there that I still talk about to this day and rely on in times of uncertainty. I truly think I would not be where I am today if I hadn't had the opportunity to attend Fountain Valley." hide
  • FVS Celebrates 23rd Annual Unity Day: A School-wide Event Focused on Inclusion, Listening, and Diversity - 10/30/2023
    Each year, Fountain Valley School, which is home to students representing approximately 24 countries and 29 states along with a diverse array of backgrounds, hosts a Unity Day to celebrate ...moreits community's various cultures and customs and to help students gain a deeper understanding of differences in race, class and gender. hide
  • FVS's Western Immersion Program: Inspiring A Deeper Connection to the Land and Community - 10/15/2023
    In the fall of 2023, Fountain Valley's Western Immersion Program celebrated its 27th anniversary. A true demonstration of learning beyond the classroom, the program takes place at FVS's remote Mountain ...moreCampus located at the foot of Colorad's Collegiate Peaks and includes three days of hands-on learning in the sciences, history, art and literature, as well as community-building activities. All lessons are designed to help students explore the intricate connections between the land and its people. hide
  • Author Dave Philipps '96 Presents at All-School - 02/01/2023
    While assigned summer reading may be a familiar-though perhaps begrudgingly necessary-summertime activity, it also serves as an anchor into classroom concepts that often drift away across the leisurely months of ...moresummer vacation. In the spirit of creating a sense of solidarity within our broader community, this year FVS instituted its first-ever community-wide summer read. All members of the faculty and student body read "Wild Horse Country" a non-fiction publication written by FVS alumnus, Dave Philipps `96. hide
  • Major Accolades for FVS Science Student - 05/02/2022
    Fountain Valley School congratulates Tony T. `23 on his outstanding performance at the Pikes Peak Regional Science and Engineering Fair held on February 26, 2022 and the Colorado State Science ...moreand Engineering Fair held on April 7-8, 2022. hide
  • ...read more

Top Rankings

Fountain Valley School of Colorado ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History
School Resources

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Academic Skills Center
Year Founded
1930

Student Body

Total Students
239 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
38%
State avg.: 24%
Students by Grade
Fountain Valley School of Colorado Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
35 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
63%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
20 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Advanced Biology, Advanced Calculus AB, Advanced Calculus BC, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Chinese Language and Culture, Advanced English Language and Composition, Advanced English Literature and Composition, Advanced Environmental Science, Advanced French Language and Culture, Advanced Physics C: Mechanics, Advanced Precalculus, Advanced Spanish Language and Culture, Advanced Spanish Literature and Culture, Advanced Statistics, Advanced Studio Art: 2D, Advanced Studio Art: 3D, Advanced U.S. Government and Politics, Advanced United States History, Advanced World History, Differential Equations
Average SAT score
1280
Average ACT score
27
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition for domestic boarding is $72,700; for day students it is $39,000; and for international students it is $76,000. Interim Expeditions, books and fees, and equestrian and athletic programs are extra.
% on Financial Aid
45%
Acceptance Rate
75%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Alex Winnicker
Endowment Size
$40 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
25 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Admission Ambassadors, Chess Club, Chinese Club, Coffee House, Community Council, Environmental Club, French Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Global Affairs Forum, Green Team, Hispanic Honor Society, International Students Club, Jazz Band, Matchwits, Round Square, Spanish Club, Student Cultural Organization, The Athenaea, The Owl, Varsity Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Strings, Concert Choir, Theater, Wind Ensemble/Concert Band

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Ski/Snowboard

School Notes

  • Fountain Valley School's 40-acre Mountain Campus located approximately two hours from Colorado Springs is used by students and faculty for several signature programs, including the Western Immersion Program, Interim Expeditions, skiing expeditions, outdoor education and more. FVS is proud of its Western roots and location, and encourages students to embrace the many opportunities associated with living in the West.
  • The School's state-of-the-art facilities include but are not limited to the Julie & Spencer Penrose Athletic Center with the largest indoor climbing facility of any high school in the nation and an eight-lane swimming and diving pool; an indoor riding arena and three outdoor riding arenas (one covered); an outdoor track; a performing arts center; a newly renovated Dining Hall with views of Pikes Peak; 10 residence halls; and a three-story Art Barn.
  • All students are required to participate in the afternoon program, which includes interscholastic sports, outdoor education, climbing, equestrian training (English and Western), fitness, community service, and the creative arts.
  • Residence halls are based on a family-like house system, where groups of 16-20 students and one or two faculty families live in a residential unit. Spacious double and triple dorm rooms, common rooms, a kitchen, dining area, bathrooms, laundry facilities and a computer lab are laid out in floor plans unique to each house.
  • Planned weekend activities include exploration of the beauty of Colorado, skiing, shopping trips to Denver, and even "spontaneity" trips where students decide at the last minute where to go. Popular on-campus activities include Cupid and Stupid Weekends, which are creative and fun-filled seasonal celebrations; Club Frautschi; the Danesapalooza music festival; an End-of-Summer BBQ; winter formal; "make your own pizza, or burrito, or sundae nights;" and special events put on by individual dorms.
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 $39,000 for private students and $1,600 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The acceptance rate of Fountain Valley School of Colorado is 75%, which is lower than the national average of 91%. Fountain Valley School of Colorado's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Colorado with low acceptance rates.
What sports does Fountain Valley School of Colorado offer?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado offers 18 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball and Weightlifting. Fountain Valley School of Colorado is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for most sports offered.
What is Fountain Valley School of Colorado's ranking?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado?
The application deadline for Fountain Valley School of Colorado is Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is Fountain Valley School of Colorado located?
Fountain Valley School of Colorado is located in the Fountain Valley neighborhood of Colorado Springs, CO.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CO School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 239 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $39,000
  • Acceptance rate: 75%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Colorado Springs, CO is $6,510 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Colorado Springs, CO is 87% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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