The Orme School

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The Orme School Photo #1 - Caravan offers a unique outdoor adventure and academic program for students. Led by faculty, class-sized trips explore Southwest's stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and rich history. Camping in National Parks or wilderness, students gain outdoor skills and delve into the region's natural and human history. Caravan grants academic credits for graduation.
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The Orme School Photo #1 - Caravan offers a unique outdoor adventure and academic program for students. Led by faculty, class-sized trips explore Southwest's stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and rich history. Camping in National Parks or wilderness, students gain outdoor skills and delve into the region's natural and human history. Caravan grants academic credits for graduation.
The Orme School Photo #2 - Whether you are an experienced equestrian or a novice, all Orme students participate in our legendary Horsemanship Program. Orme Horsemanship, recently featured in Western Horseman Magazine, offers our students the full breadth of equestrian opportunities, educating even the most timid non-horse enthusiast into comfort and confidence in the saddle.
The Orme School Photo #3 - Three hundred naturally beautiful acres in the high Sonoran desert of the Southwest. The historic Orme School is an inspiring college preparatory education and life experience.
The Orme School Photo #4 - Sustainability is not a catchphrase here at Orme. Instead, it is a commitment woven into your daily life, from Sustainability Classes to your meals.
The Orme School Photo #5 - We are members of the AZCAA Conference and we compete in cross-country, swimming, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and horsemanship barrel racing. Orme has won many State championships. If team sports are not your thing, we also offer weight training, tennis, coed soccer, horseback riding, recreational swimming and outdoor adventuring.
The Orme School Photo #6 - Each spring, nationally-respected artists travel to The Orme School, as is tradition since 1969, and lead week-long workshops in the creative arts for all students. Workshops may include painting, drawing, stained glass, photography, poetry, creative writing, ceramics, glass blowing, metal arts, sculpture, dance, drama, songwriting, and world music.
The Orme School Photo #7 - Our graduates are competent, confident and well positioned to meet the challenges of college and the world beyond.
The Orme School Photo #8 - At an elevation of 4,000 ft, The Orme School experiences all four seasons.
The Orme School Photo #9 - Life at Orme provides positive and healthy choices within a framework and philosophy that has proven successful since 1929.
The Orme School Photo #10 - At The Orme School, we believe that learning extends beyond the four walls of a classroom.
Established in 1929, The Orme School is a unique, college-preparatory, co-educational boarding school for grades 8 through 12, set on 300 acres in rural Arizona.
Our mission is to develop sound character, scholastic growth, and intellectual curiosity, as well as enable students to succeed at the college of their choice, and in life.
Our community is structured, supportive, and diverse.  We awaken untapped potential, encourage inner resourcefulness, integrity, respect and accountability for self and others.
Our challenging curriculum features a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning and both environmental and aesthetic awareness.
From the academic program to residential and community life, the guiding principles of Excellence, Tradition, and Character are applied to every facet of an Orme education.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked AZ School
  • Grades: 8-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $51,500
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Orme School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Arizona for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 8-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild to Moderate Learning Differences
Year Founded
1929

Student Body

Total Students
n/a
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
33%
State avg.: 40%

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
71%
Average Class Size
9 students
Number of AP Courses
16 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP US Government, AP US History, AP World History
Average SAT score
1280
Average ACT score
28
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Collared Shirts, Jeans, Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Orme School tuition includes textbooks, additional evening academic support by faculty, and most after-school activities and sports. Tuition also covers Orme’s specialty signature programs, such as Orme Games and Fine Arts Festival.
% on Financial Aid
55%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$24,000
Acceptance Rate
70%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Jara Ruiz-Anchia
Endowment Size
$2 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
12 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Gardening, Horsemanship

Club or Organization:
International Club, Mathletes

Arts and Music Programs:
Art, Blacksmithing, Choir, Dance, Glassblowing, guitar, Piano, Theater

School Notes

Established in 1929, The Orme School is a unique, college-preparatory, co-educational boarding and day school for grades 8 through 12 & PG.
  • An hour north of Phoenix, the Orme campus is seton anaturally socially distanced26,000-acre cattle ranch in the high desert of Arizona set on 300 acres in rural Arizona.
  • Our mission is to develop sound character, scholastic growth, and intellectual curiosity, as well as, to enable students to succeed at the college of their choice, and in life.
  • From the academic program to residential and community life, the guiding principles of Excellence, Tradition, and Character are applied to every facet of an Orme education.Our community is structured, supportive, and diverse. We awaken untapped potential, encourage inner resourcefulness, freedom of expression, integrity, respect, and accountability for self and others.
STUDENT PROFILE
Students are admitted into The Orme School as 8th graders through a Post Graduate year, forming a small, diverse, and global college-bound community. Approximately 105 students from all inhabited continents and religious and cultural backgrounds make up the student body. 16 countries, 4 Native American tribes, and 16 U.S. states are represented on campus.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Our challenging AP curriculum features a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and both environmental and aesthetic awareness.APcourses offered at The Orme School in recent years have included Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Physics, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Studio Art, United States Government, and United States History. Students took 108 AP Exams in 16 subject areas in 2019, and 104 AP Exams in 12 subject areas in 2020.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Many students come for specialty programs such as Horsemanship, Sustainability, and Outdoor Education, while others come seeking a small, interactive, experiential learning environment. SustainabilitySince the school`s founding, sustainability has always been at the core of life at Orme. Our beautiful 300-acre campus supports an incredibly biodiverse community of plants and wildlife, in addition to the vibrant community of people. From taking sustainability-focused courses to spending a chores period in the garden or kitchen for our Farm-to-Table program, or simply sorting food waste into the compost bins in Founders, students participate daily in a variety of opportunities that teach them how to contribute to and positively impact the environment and their communityHorsemanship Students can learn to ride, take care of horses, and trail ride throughout the Orme Ranch and Prescott National Forest. Students work as cowhands on the Orme Ranch during roundups. Our Horsemanship Team participates in English and Western competitions, including Gymkhanas, Hunter/Jumper, Barrel Racing, Roping, and Team Sorting. Caravan Outdoor adventures, or Caravans, are a core tradition, building confidence, character, and leadership skills. Experiential and outdoor educational goals are achieved throughout the year with the after-school, weekend, and weeklong outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, skiing, backpacking, camping, surfing, archeological digs, and horseback riding.

ATHLETICS
All students are welcome to participate in the Canyon Athletic Association (CAA) in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball. Students also enjoy Coffee Houses, recitals, and debate, and Mathletes Teams.

ARTS
Orme is a fantastic environment for teaching (and learning) art. For decades, international artists have been drawn to the beautiful Southwest to draw and paint, and Orme is nestled right in the middle of their geographic and aesthetic inspiration. Your Fine Art curriculum credits may also be earned in Music with individualized and small group instruction provided in piano and guitar, whether you are a beginner or accomplished in either instrument.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Orme School cost?
The Orme School's tuition is approximately $51,500 for private students and $1,500 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Orme School?
The acceptance rate of The Orme School is 70%, which is lower than the national average of 88%. The Orme School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Arizona with low acceptance rates.
What sports does The Orme School offer?
The Orme School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Archery, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Weightlifting. The Orme School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Arizona for most sports offered.
What is The Orme School's ranking?
When is the application deadline for The Orme School?
The application deadline for The Orme School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked AZ School
  • Grades: 8-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $51,500
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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The average private school tuition in Yavapai County, AZ is $13,407 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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