Verde Valley School
Verde Valley School is a private, co‑educational International Baccalaureate boarding and day school in Sedona, Arizona, known for its global focus, experiential learning, and stunning red‑rock campus.
Verde Valley School (VVS) is an IB World School serving grades 9–12, located on a 140–175‑acre campus surrounded by Sedona’s iconic red rock landscape. Founded in 1948, the school was built on a progressive vision emphasizing internationalism, cultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and community.
Mission & Philosophy - VVS educates students to become intellectually curious, globally aware, and socially responsible. Its founding principles—shaped by educators influenced by the progressive education movement—center on:
Academic excellence, world citizenship, environmental stewardship, physical labor, and service to others.
The school’s architecture and outdoor‑integrated campus reflect its belief that students learn best when connected to the natural world.
Academics - VVS offers a rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, adopted in 1990, with small class sizes (typically 8–12 students) and interdisciplinary learning. The curriculum encourages critical thinking, global perspectives, and hands‑on exploration.
Campus & Student Life - The campus provides direct access to hiking, biking, climbing, and horseback riding trails. VVS is known for one of the most diverse equestrian programs in the West, offering both Western and English riding, trail experiences, and horse care education.
Students also engage in arts programs including music, performance, and creative fabrication; Global service trips, such as work in Malawi supporting education and health initiatives; and Outdoor adventures integrated into daily life and extracurriculars
Community & Diversity - VVS maintains a deeply international community, with students from around the world and a long tradition of fostering intercultural understanding. Its founders envisioned a school where diverse cultures learn together—an ethos still central today.
