Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Top Ranked Private School for 2025-26)

6155 Fountain Valley School Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80911

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 Facts (2025-26)

Top Ranked CO School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 230 students
Yearly Tuition: $40,700
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 - 11/04/2024
Fountain 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 - 10/24/2024
In 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 - 09/18/2024
Through 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
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
...read more

Top Rankings

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

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Academic Skills Center

Year Founded

1930

Colors

White, Grey, Red

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

Student Body

Total Students

230 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

25%

State avg.: 25%

Students by Grade

Fountain Valley School of Colorado Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

36 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

63%

Average Class Size

10 students

Number of AP Courses

22 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Advanced BiologyAdvanced Calculus AB

Advanced Calculus BCAdvanced Chemistry

Advanced Chinese Language and CultureAdvanced English Language and Composition

Advanced English Literature and CompositionAdvanced Environmental Science

Advanced French Language and CultureAdvanced Physics C: Mechanics

Advanced PrecalculusAdvanced Spanish Language and Culture

Advanced Spanish Literature and CultureAdvanced Statistics

Advanced Studio Art: 2DAdvanced Studio Art: 3D

Advanced U.S. Government and PoliticsAdvanced United States History

Advanced World HistoryDifferential Equations

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Average SAT score

1280

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$40,700

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition for domestic boarding is $75,900; for day students it is $40,700; and for international students it is $79,900. Interim Expeditions, books and fees, and equestrian and athletic programs are extra.

% on Financial Aid

45%

Acceptance Rate

70%

National avg.: 81%

Admissions Director

Amy Walia-Fazio

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$50 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

17 sports

Sports

BasketballClimbing

Cross CountryCycling

DivingEquestrian

LacrosseMountain Biking

MountaineeringNordic Skiing

Rock ClimbingSnowboarding

SoccerSwimming

TennisVolleyball

Weightlifting

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Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

25 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Admission AmbassadorsChess Club

Chinese ClubCoffee House

Community CouncilEnvironmental Club

French ClubGay Straight Alliance

Global Affairs ForumGreen Team

Hispanic Honor SocietyInternational Students Club

Jazz BandMatchwits

Round SquareSpanish Club

Student Cultural OrganizationThe Athenaea

The OwlVarsity Club

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Arts and Music Programs:

Chamber StringsConcert Choir

TheaterWind Ensemble/Concert Band

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Ski/Snowboard

School Notes

School Mascot: Dane

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Fountain Valley School of Colorado cost?

Fountain Valley School of Colorado's tuition is approximately $40,700 for private 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 lower than the national average of 84%. 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 17 interscholastic sports: 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: Highest average ACT score, 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. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In 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.