Verde Valley School vs. Southwestern Academy
Should you attend Verde Valley School or Southwestern Academy? 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% of private schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Advanced Degrees
AP Courses
Sports offered
School History
School Resources
Southwestern Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
School History
Overview
Verde Valley School is one of only a few International Baccalaureate Boarding Schools in the U.S. VVS educates students for college and for life by encouraging them to become intellectually curious, academically accomplished and creatively expressive.
Our academic and residential programs foster intercultural understanding and world citizenship, environmental stewardship, the value of physical labor, and service to humanity with a willing spirit.
VVS is accredited by the International Baccalaureate World School Organization and the North Central Accreditation Association.
Founded in 1924 when San Marino was covered in orange groves, Southwestern Academy has become a school rich in culture and diversity.
For 99 years, we have supported the educational needs of both domestic and international students in grades 6-12.
Our close-knit community of faculty and staff make every student feel like part of our family.
Southwestern Academy has a picturesque campus with boarding and day classes in San Marino, California.
Our unique campus provides a peaceful, safe, and beautiful space for students to thrive.
Our small class settings allow students to receive the attention they require while maximizing their abilities to develop. Academic programs on both campuses include college preparatory courses, ELL classes (for English Language Learners), and post graduate curricula.
Grades Offered
9-12
6-12
Blue Ribbon School
No
No
Offers Post-Graduate Year
No
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
No
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
n/a
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1948
1924
Students Body
Total Students
99 students
70 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
% Students of Color
32%
61%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Grade 6 Students
-
3
Grade 7 Students
-
9
Grade 8 Students
-
3
Grade 9 Students
18
8
Grade 10 Students
25
20
Grade 11 Students
28
10
Grade 12 Students
28
17
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
24 teachers
17 teachers
% Faculty with Advance Degree
95%
n/a
Average Class Size
12
8
Number of AP Classes
15
6
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
4:1
List of Courses Offered
Average SAT score
1141
n/a
Average ACT score
22
n/a
Matric. DataMatriculation Data
n/a
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Formal
(slacks, button up shirts, tennis shoes, dresses, skirts, blouses)
(slacks, button up shirts, tennis shoes, dresses, skirts, blouses)
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
None / Rolling
Tuition Cost
$54,000
$47,700
Tuition Notes
Day admission tuition is $20,500
Cost is for US boarding students; aid is available for outstanding applicants. International boarding student tuition and fees $50,500
% on Financial Aid
45%
20%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$18,500
n/a
Acceptance Rate
65%
50%
Admissions Director
Kim Hollingsworth
Elena Lopez
Admissions Associate
Sabrina Campbell
Daisy Barrios
Sports
Total Sports Offered
17
7
Extracurriculars
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
5
9
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Coffee House Poetry ClubModel UN
Organic GardeningUN Millennium Development Goals Committee
Arts and Music Programs:
Theater
DramaPhotography
Student Government
Club or Organization:
AmbassadorsChess Club
Interact ClubInternational Club
Southwestern Arts Association (SAS)Southwestern Environmental Associates