Academics

College Counseling

Just as the teachers at Verde Valley School create a student-centered learning environment, our college counseling team helps to foster active and open-minded collaboration with both students and parents during the college search and application process.
In this supportive environment, students learn how to identify their goals and interests, to manage a complex process, and to make healthy and confident decisions about their next steps after leaving VVS. Fundamentally, we believe that each student should control the self-evaluation, research, and application writing that are essential components to a successful college selection.
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Most families are surprised to learn that with a little planning, they can significantly lower out-of-pocket college costs, maximize grants and scholarships, and minimize debt. 

We’re providing the SMARTTRACK® College Funding High School Initiative to assist our families with the financial piece of college planning. If you’re concerned that you won’t qualify for financial aid, haven’t saved enough, or don’t have an effective plan to cover the considerable costs of educating all your children, SMARTTRACK® can help.

Click here to create your complimentary account.




The formal process begins in January of junior year with weekly workshops. At this time students are given access to Naviance Family Connection, a web-based college-counseling tool that helps students search for colleges, assess suitability and keep track of their applications. Juniors also meet individually with a counselor in the spring. The goal by the end of junior year is for each student to have developed a list of appropriate colleges and universities that meet his or her goals and abilities. Workshops, weekly group meetings and individual meetings continue in the fall and winter of senior year. Monthly email newsletters keep students and parents updated on important tips and deadlines throughout the process, and parents are encouraged to stay in regular contact with counselors.

VVS graduates matriculate to selective colleges and universities around the world, as evidenced by our list of acceptances. What makes us most proud of our approach however, is following the idea that the journey is as important as the destination and a good fit between college and student allows for great success.
Verde Valley School is an International Baccalaureate boarding and day high school for students in grades 9-12.