Sixty years ago, a few passionate families envisioned an education that had yet to exist in Dayton. The Miami Valley School was born out of the desire to provide experiential learning in an intimate environment where the educational focus was directed to the individual needs of the student. That vision became the MVS culture and personality.
When you walk onto the MVS campus today, you`ll experience our joyful community. You`ll see that our culture celebrates everyone for what they bring to the table. We have a diverse student body and we embrace and respect different heritages and learn from one another. And transformation happens. In our safe environment, students learn from their mistakes and become empowered to take chances again and again. Our accomplished teachers have high expectations of their students and our students rise to that challenge and excel at MVS and beyond.
Come visit campus and see us in action. There is no better way to experience MVS than through our students` and teachers` stories. We welcome you to the MVS admissions process and we will guide you every step of the way with personal attention. We`ll unfold the many reasons why this is the best educational opportunity for your child.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked OH School
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
- Enrollment: 478 students
- Yearly Tuition: $23,000
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Average class size: 14 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Miami Valley School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
Extracurriculars
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
Year Founded
1964
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
478 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
31%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
75 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
Average Class Size
14 students
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Advanced Topics in Biology (Bio II), Advanced Topics in Chemistry (Chem II), Algebra II Honors, American Authors - Embedded Honors, American History Honors, Art of the Essay - Embedded Honors, Europe in a Global Context - Advanced Seminar, French V, Geometry Honors, Mandarin V, Multivariate Calculus (Calc III), Spanish V, Topics in Senior English - Embedded Honors, World Literature - Embedded Honors
Average SAT score
1309
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$23,000
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $10,900 to $25,900. Financial aid is available K-12.
% on Financial Aid
49%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$13,000
Acceptance Rate
60%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Anne Dettmer
Admissions Associate
Caitlin Lewis
Endowment Size
$9 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
11 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
34 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Assorted, Black Student Union, Chess Club, Chinese National Honor Society, Diversity Club, Dungeons and Dragons Club, Film Club, French Honor Society, Games Club, GSA, International Student Organization, Junior State of America, MathCounts, Music Club, Muslim Student Association, Newspaper, Power of the Pen, Prom Committee, Quiz Bowl, Robotics Team, Ski and Snowboard Club, Spanish Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Student Ambassadors, Student Government, Student Service Club, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
A Cappella Choir, Improv, Jazz Ensemble, Strings Ensemble
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Assorted, Basketball clinic, Soccer Clinic
Assorted, Black Student Union, Chess Club, Chinese National Honor Society, Diversity Club, Dungeons and Dragons Club, Film Club, French Honor Society, Games Club, GSA, International Student Organization, Junior State of America, MathCounts, Music Club, Muslim Student Association, Newspaper, Power of the Pen, Prom Committee, Quiz Bowl, Robotics Team, Ski and Snowboard Club, Spanish Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Student Ambassadors, Student Government, Student Service Club, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
A Cappella Choir, Improv, Jazz Ensemble, Strings Ensemble
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Assorted, Basketball clinic, Soccer Clinic
School Notes
- Since 1964, The Miami Valley Schoolhas challenged young people of promise to becomeself-sustaining learnersandcompassionate global citizens. The school`s nationally-recognizedImmersion Method is a signature pedagogy affirming the shared belief that students learn best throughdirect experience. At MVS, students discover their true passions in an empowering learning community that encourages young people to express themselves.
- The Miami Valley School student body represents the diversity of the greater Dayton area, drawing students from 50 local ZIP codes and 10 countries. 49% of MVS students identify as students of color, and 49% of students receive financial aid.
- MVS' alumni base is rich with political leaders, Broadway performers, entrepreneurs, global thinkers, CEOs, scientists, and industry leaders, all of whom were helped along the way by passionate faculty and staff.
- MVS is Dayton's only independent, non-sectarian college prep school for students in grades Pre-K through 12. The school has earned numerous accolades from national and regional ranking organizations, with MVS being recognized as the Dayton region`s #1 high school, #1 PreK-12 school, #1 school for STEM programs, and #1 school for college preparation in 2023.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Allison Janney '77 - Award-winning actress
- Cameron Porter '11 - MLS soccer player (Montreal Impact, Sporting KC)
- Stefan Cleveland '12 - MLS Soccer player (Seattle Sounders, Chicago Fire)
- Talvin Wilks '80 - Award-winning playwright, director, and dramaturge.
- Bruce Heyman '75 - Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada
- Ken Williford '94 - Director of NASA’s Astrobiogeochemistry Laboratory and Deputy Project Scientist for Mars 2020 Mission
- Jenell Ross '88 - Automotive pioneer and philanthropist
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Miami Valley School cost?
The Miami Valley School's tuition is approximately $23,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Miami Valley School?
The acceptance rate of The Miami Valley School is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 89%. The Miami Valley School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Ohio with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from The Miami Valley School?
The Miami Valley School famous alumni include: Allison Janney '77, Cameron Porter '11, Stefan Cleveland '12, Talvin Wilks '80, Bruce Heyman '75, Ken Williford '94 and Jenell Ross '88.
What sports does The Miami Valley School offer?
The Miami Valley School offers 11 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, E-sports, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is The Miami Valley School's ranking?
The Miami Valley School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for The Miami Valley School?
The application deadline for The Miami Valley School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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People that viewed The Miami Valley School also viewed these schools: East Dayton Christian School, Temple Christian School, Spring Valley Academy, Chess Christian School and Cincinnati Country Day School.
The nearest high school to The Miami Valley School is Archbishop Alter High School (1.6 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is St. Charles Borromeo School (1.4 miles away)
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School Reviews
5 3/10/2023
MVS prepared me for college and life in numerous ways, not least because of the opportunities I had during Immersion. Teachers care about their students and go out of their way to help, and they have such interesting lives and backstories. MVS gave me the ability to be self-sufficient, advocate for myself with professors in college, and feel comfortable speaking and writing at the college level. Truly a unique school environment.
5 1/31/2022
We are delighted to have discovered VMS as an option to start our son in kindergarten. What a unique community! This school practices what they preach-they have core sets of values like celebration and integrity, which they bake into their schedule and activities. My son, even in kindergarten, feels seen and included with the entire school. They have weekly assemblies and immersion programming that combines grade levels. These give ample opportunities to celebrate individuals in a big way and cater to each student's strengths. The teachers and administrators all appear to care deeply and sincerely for the students.
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