Southwestern Academy vs. Verde Valley School
Should you attend Southwestern Academy or Verde Valley School? 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
Southwestern Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Verde Valley School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Advanced Degrees
Sports offered
School History
Overview
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.
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.
Grades Offered
6-12
9-12
Blue Ribbon School
No
No
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
No
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
No
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences
n/a
Year Founded
1924
1948
Students Body
Total Students
70 students
99 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
% Students of Color
61%
32%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Grade 6 Students
3
-
Grade 7 Students
9
-
Grade 8 Students
3
-
Grade 9 Students
8
18
Grade 10 Students
20
25
Grade 11 Students
10
28
Grade 12 Students
17
28
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
17 teachers
24 teachers
% Faculty with Advance Degree
n/a
95%
Average Class Size
8
12
Number of AP Classes
6
n/a
Teacher : Student Ratio
1:4
1:4
Average SAT score
n/a
1141
Average ACT score
n/a
22
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
(slacks, button up shirts, tennis shoes, dresses, skirts, blouses)
(slacks, button up shirts, tennis shoes, dresses, skirts, blouses)
Casual
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
None / Rolling
Tuition Cost
$47,700
$54,000
Tuition Notes
Cost is for US boarding students; aid is available for outstanding applicants. International boarding student tuition and fees $50,500
Day admission tuition is $20,500
% on Financial Aid
20%
45%
Average Financial Aid Grant
n/a
$18,500
Acceptance Rate
50%
65%
Admissions Director
Elena Lopez
Kim Hollingsworth
Admissions Associate
Daisy Barrios
Sabrina Campbell
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7
17
Extracurriculars
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
9
5
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Ambassadors, Chess Club, Drama, Interact Club, International Club, Photography, Southwestern Arts Association (SAS), Southwestern Environmental Associates, Student Government
Coffee House Poetry Club, Model UN, Organic Gardening, Theater, UN Millennium Development Goals Committee