Viewbook 2023

Opportunity Meets Adventure

Welcome

Welcome to Fountain Valley School!

I truly believe our school provides the most incredible educational environment in the world. There is simply no place like Fountain Valley – a boarding and day school on an 1100-acre working ranch, surrounded by short grass prairie with views of the snow-capped Rockies from Pikes Peak to the Sangre de Cristos.

As vast as our spectacular campus is, so are the opportunities to explore, adventure, grow and be nurtured. A thriving and diverse Colorado community is your classroom: from the Art Barn to the science labs, from teachers and coaches who help you conquer new heights on our world-class climbing walls to new frontiers academically; from expeditions into the West’s most spectacular national parks to weekends in our own mountain campus at the foot of multiple “14ers,” a sense of possibility and freedom rooted in the wide-open spaces of the West pervades our community.

Students at Fountain Valley learn, work, explore and play together, developing not only as individuals, but as one in a community where all belong.

We hope you will come explore our classrooms and look to the mountains for inspiration. We await your arrival.

Why Independent School in Colorado?

Exploring and learning on our Colorado campus in the Rocky Mountain West builds an incredible foundation for personal growth.

As our world becomes increasingly globally-focused, there are many advantages to developing the independence fostered within our community, where students are supported as they prepare for college and the path beyond into global citizenship. Our student body brings a global perspective to their classes, Interim expeditions, advisory, and boarding experiences, as they represent 24 countries and 29 states!

Our working ranch setting is unique among boarding schools and provides countless resources and opportunities for truly immersive learning. On campus, students can begin their day by navigating to the top of our world-class rock climbing wall or spend their afternoon in the saddle, riding along a prairie trail. An adventurous education is a signature feature of the Fountain Valley journey.

Students will flourish alongside their peers in this pristine environment, surrounded by faculty that supports and mentors them along the way.

Our teachers come from diverse backgrounds and offer high-level academics supplemented by their own professional experiences. Small class sizes allow for academic depth far beyond teaching to any test, because that is not the metric we use to measure student growth. FVS students learn by doing, as we emphasize experiential learning throughout our curriculum.

My daughters were blown away by the experience of discussing the Cold War in a history class along with students from such countries as China, Vietnam, and Russia.

Welcome Home!

Adobe-style architecture welcomes you throughout campus providing a beautiful Southwest setting. Our boarding dorms house no more than 16-20 students and each provides a full kitchen and large common area to gather.

Benefits of a Boarding Program

Families exploring the idea of boarding school can find plenty of evidence-based research supporting its benefits: exceptional student growth and preparation for high-level academics and college. We encourage you to come see for yourself, as we welcome visitors to view our classrooms, tour our dormitories, meet our staff, and experience boarding life!

Residential Life

Our family is very close, and we were concerned leaving for those important years would drive a wedge in our connection. Our experience was the opposite, though; spending four years in an incredibly supportive environment, we saw new sides to him and our family got closer. We HIGHLY recommend FVS to everyone we meet.

Benefits of a Day Program

Day students attend Fountain Valley from all over the Pikes Peak region, and FVS offers transportation to and from various locations. All campus programs and support services are inclusive of day and boarding students during the week. In addition, if a family has relocation needs due to a military move or other family dynamics, FVS offers an easy transition from day to boarding to provide their children with a consistent high school experience.

Life on Campus

Our campus culture celebrates individuality and inspires students to pursue their passions. We encourage our international and domestic students to get involved, make new friends, explore, and learn from one another.

Unity Day Celebration

Learn about our Unity Day celebration, a full-day event where we explore a variety of cultural experiences on campus first-hand.

Our Unity Day speaker, Zahra Arabzada from Kabul speaks about her education in a United States boarding school, attending college, working in medical research, and returning to Afghanistan. Scan the QR Code to hear her incredible story!

My child attended FVS, and the teachers, staff, and administration really went above and beyond to support her both academically and personally. The campus is absolutely gorgeous, and she thrived in the horseback riding program. The sense of community is also very strong at FVS, and every time I visited, I found the students and teachers to be openminded and inspiring.

Programs at Fountain Valley School

Distinctive Programming

CHAPTER 1: 9th Grade Experience

Kick off your freshman class retreat at our Class of ’69 Mountain Campus, setting the foundation for your experience at FVS. Discover the Rocky Mountain wilderness with this curriculum-based first-year program that blends nature, art, and community alongside your new classmates and teachers.

WESTERN IMMERSION: The Sophomore Experience

The sophomore class embarks on a week-long trip to the Class of ’69 Mountain Campus, centered around further immersive learning in the natural sciences, art, ecology, and life-science programming.

GLOBAL SCHOLAR DIPLOMA: Juniors and Seniors

Seniors can distinguish themselves by earning an optional Global Scholar Diploma (GSD). Beginning their junior year, GSD scholars dive into investigating a global issue of their own choosing with our guided, research-based curriculum. The Global Scholar Diploma serves as the student’s Senior Capstone.

Capstone Project & Senior Seminar

All seniors complete a final Capstone Project: a passion project on a topic of their choice that they will share with the school community. Seniors’ final class trip concludes with Senior Seminar , where they engage in community service, reflection, and bonding at the Class of ’69 Mountain Campus leading up to their graduation events.

Academic Programs

Our brand of education teaches students how to think, not what to think. Interdisciplinary classes will expand your insights into learning. Everyone’s opinion counts in lively, small-class discussions, and our global curriculum spans the departments—from art, to math, to history—to offer a well-rounded perspective.

Academics at FVS are challenging and comprehensive, offering honors and advanced courses in all disciplines while providing a flexible approach to ensure appropriate course placement for all students.

Scan to view our course catalog

Science

From our location along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, students will explore the diverse ecosystems and geology of Colorado, including environmental issues specific to the West and their global implications. Students can also delve into the principles of robotics and engineering, examine how science and medicine converge, or investigate aerodynamic properties.

Math

The Math program is designed for a range of student interests and aptitudes. Honors and advancedlevel programs are available for students who seek the strongest possible preparation in math, even beyond Multivariable Calculus.

Language

We prepare students to function effectively in another language through immersion-style classes, during which students develop communicative competency using a multi-sensory approach to master all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). FVS currently offers Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese.

English

Our English curriculum features seminar-style classes and emphasizes reading, writing, analysis, and critical-thinking skills. The program balances studies in World, British, and American Literature and relies upon representative genres to establish a foundation for further literary study, understanding, and appreciation.

The Language Department also supports our International students with our ESL (English as a Second Language) program, which helps them integrate seamlessly into campus life. Our ESL students are exempt from the foreign language requirement.

History

The history curriculum aims to instill in students an understanding of the rich variety of human experiences. The department is committed to historical accuracy, which acknowledges that the present is the result of historical processes and events.

Fine Arts Department

Our Fine Arts programs strive to build confidence and exposure to various artistic skills and mediums in order to develop a sense of personal creativity. Learning opportunities extend to all levels of experience in the fine arts, theatre, jewelry/ metalsmithing, photography, film-making, choral and instrumental music.

Visual Arts

Our visual arts classes include: Honors Studio Art, Darkroom & Digital Photography, Introduction to 2D Techniques, Multi-Medium Introduction, Video Production, Metalsmithing, Ceramics, Pottery, building an Art Portfolio and Art on the Prairie. Fountain Valley’s natural surroundings often serve as an extended classroom and a source of inspiration for students and faculty alike.

Performing Arts

Our Black Box theater and historic Chapel host a variety of performing arts programs on campus. We offer Select Ensembles, Music Theory and Composition, Modern Orchestra, Concert Choir, Introduction to Music, and Theatre I, II, III+.

All students participate in daily afternoon programs. FVS takes full advantage of our Rocky Mountain landscape for many Western outdoor sports opportunities on the prairie and our secondary Class of ’69 Mountain Campus near Buena Vista, Colorado. Scan the QR code to learn more!

Athletics & After-School Programs

Athletic Offerings (Competitive)

Soccer Tennis

Volleyball Swimming & Diving Basketball Lacrosse

Equestrian (Western & English)

Mountain Biking Rock Climbing

Cross Country Track

Athletic Offerings (Non-Competitive)

Outdoor Education General Fitness

After-School Programs (Non-Competitive)

Theater/Tech Theater Yearbook (The OWL) Broadcasting (Digital Media) Ski & Snowboard trips (Weekends Only)

Signature Programs at FVS

Equestrian at FVS

For over 90 years, the school’s distinguished Equestrian program has continued to thrive on our ranch property, housing 55 school-owned horses, with boarding options for your own horse. Both English and Western riding are offered, with Equestrian being the longest-running athletic program at Fountain Valley School. Students are able to ride every day, which gives them an edge in the competitive arena.

Rock Climbing & Mountain Sports

Fountain Valley School gained an early foothold in the fastgrowing competitive climbing circuit, winning multiple state championships and building a state-of-the-art 6,000 sq.ft. climbing gym – one of the largest high school facilities in the country.

Students can also enjoy the campus’s extensive trail system covering the school’s 1,100 acres of rolling prairie.

FVS competes in the Colorado High School Cycling League

Class of ’69 Mountain Campus

The Class of ’69 Mountain Campus is a lodge that invites adventure and brings students and faculty together in a spectacular setting.

It is located outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, only a two-hour drive into the Rocky Mountains from our main campus, and at the foot of the majestic Collegiate Peaks. The Mountain Campus serves as a scenic home base for many FVS outings, ski weekends, seminars, and class retreats—it’s a place for learning, camaraderie, and fun. Generations of students have bonded at this extraordinary place, and alumni have dedicated their time and resources to the upkeep of this historic treasure.

Global Education

The combination of our international student body and Western setting sets us apart.

Our global education approach provides on-campus cultural events, excursions throughout the region, and opportunities for international travel each spring during our Interim Expeditions.

Our Western location offers a unique twist on the traditional boarding school experience and offers immediate access to countless natural resources.

Scan to learn more about our Interim Expeditions

Campus Culture “ ”

The Fountain Valley School community commits to the ongoing process of creating an inclusive culture by providing equitable opportunities to be successful, grow as humans, and be challenged in everyday life.

-Fountain Valley School Statement of Inclusion

College Counseling & Beyond FVS

Learn more about where our students go after FVS

A Guided Discovery

With decades of combined experience, our college counselors are experts at finding the match that fits and lasts, so that our students can focus on their education. Our counselors know our kids, but—just as importantly—they know the colleges and spend countless hours researching and visiting universities, meeting with college representatives, and learning the cultures of schools around the world.

FVS students and their parents use the SCOIR College Network, which connects students, parents, counselors, and colleges for a smooth admission process.

After Fountain Valley School

FVS alumni carry forth the best traditions of the school by maintaining lasting connections and friendships with each other. FVS graduates become a part of our worldwide alumni network and celebrate annually at our FVS Alumni Reunion Weekend, as well as alumni events held consistently throughout the year.

Adventure Awaits!

Admission Process

Complete a common application: SAO (Standard Application Online): admission.org or Gateway to Prep Schools: gatewaytoprepschools.com

Plan your school tour and register to attend our admission events

Admission Counselors will arrange an interview (virtual or in-person)

Teacher Recommendations (School, English, and Math) and Transcripts (two full years and current year)

Contact the Admission Department to plan your visit and follow the steps below to apply. Visit our website for more information on applying, financial aid, and scholarship programs. 719.391.5251 fvs.edu/admission admission@fvs.edu

SSAT Test (optional, required for Summit Scholarship): SSAT.org