Arizona has two principal private boarding schools: Verde Valley School in Sedona, an IB school with a strong international cohort, and The Orme School in Mayer, a ranch-based school with an equestrian program. Both charge $55,000–$65,000 per year in 2026. Federally funded boarding schools also serve Native students at no tuition cost.
Key facts about Arizona boarding schools
- Arizona has two main private boarding schools, both outside the Phoenix metro area.
- Boarding tuition runs $55,000–$65,000 per year for 2025–26.
- Verde Valley School offers the IB Diploma with Southwest and intercultural studies.
- The Orme School operates on a working ranch with an equestrian program.
- Bureau of Indian Education boarding schools serve Native students at no tuition cost.
Which are the boarding schools in Arizona?
| School | Town | Type | Boarding tuition | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verde Valley School | Sedona | Coed, 9–12 (IB) | ~$62,000 | IB Diploma; international enrollment; Southwest studies |
| The Orme School | Mayer | Coed, 8–12 | ~$58,000 | Working ranch; equestrian program |
| Bureau of Indian Education schools | Various | Native students, grades vary | $0 tuition | Federally funded; tribal eligibility required |
Verde Valley School
Verde Valley School pairs the IB Diploma with a curriculum rooted in its setting: Southwest studies, field trips to Indigenous communities and Mexico, and a student body drawn substantially from outside the US. For families wanting an internationally portable qualification, the IB is more useful abroad than AP coursework — see international boarding schools.
Federally funded boarding schools
Separate from the private market, the Bureau of Indian Education funds boarding schools in Arizona serving students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, at no tuition cost. These schools have a complicated history — the federal boarding school system was historically an instrument of forced assimilation, documented in the Interior Department’s 2022 investigative report — and contemporary BIE and tribally controlled schools operate very differently, many with Indigenous language and culture programs at their center.
Families considering them should contact schools and tribal education departments directly; eligibility and programs vary. Other no-cost models are in free boarding schools. All states: best boarding schools by state.
Arizona boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Arizona?
Arizona has two main private boarding schools: Verde Valley School in Sedona, an IB school with a strong international cohort and Southwest studies focus, and The Orme School in Mayer, a ranch-based school with an equestrian program. Both charge $55,000–$65,000 per year.
How much do Arizona boarding schools cost?
Arizona boarding schools charge $55,000–$65,000 per year in 2025–26. Verde Valley School runs approximately $62,000 and The Orme School approximately $58,000. Bureau of Indian Education boarding schools in the state serve Native students at no tuition cost.
Are there free boarding schools in Arizona?
Yes, for eligible Native students. The Bureau of Indian Education funds boarding schools in Arizona, including Sherman-affiliated and tribally controlled schools, at no tuition cost to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. These are separate from the private boarding market.
What is Verde Valley School known for?
Verde Valley School in Sedona is known for combining the IB Diploma with Southwest and intercultural studies, including field trips to Indigenous communities and Mexico. It enrolls a high proportion of international students on a red rock campus outside Sedona.
Sources
- Verde Valley School and The Orme School: published tuition and program data.
- Bureau of Indian Education: federally funded school directory and eligibility.
- US Department of the Interior — Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative: historical investigative report.