Colorado Rocky Mountain School United States Flag

B+ 5.0 3 Reviews Recommended Colorado, US

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Admission Office admissions@crms.org

School Overview

Data & methodology
Overall B+
Matriculation B+
Academics A-
Extracurriculars B+
Geo & Community B-
Reviews B+
Strong Academics Beautiful Campus 16 AP Courses Independent Studies Love the Outdoors Close Partnership with Faculty
Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), founded in 1953, is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school for grades 9–12. Situated on a stunning 300+ acre riverfront campus in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, CRMS offers an ideal setting for learning, experience, and adventure.

CRMS cultivates a learning environment in which students discover their potential to excel as individuals, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and thoughtfully engage with the world they share. Intentionally sized at approximately 170 students, the school places relationships at the center of the educational experience. The academic experience is defined by close faculty–student relationships and a collaborative, inquiry-driven approach to learning.

The CRMS curriculum stands on four pillars: Academics, Arts, Outdoors, and Service. Academics are at the core of a CRMS education, blending experiential and traditional approaches to inspire intellectual curiosity and rigor. As a liberal-arts school, CRMS offers a challenging course of study that includes Advanced Placement courses, Interim Immersion, Senior Project, and a strong emphasis on outdoor learning as an extension of the classroom. Graduates leave CRMS as confident, independent thinkers—well prepared for college and life beyond.

Outdoor education is a defining element of the CRMS experience. Students participate in three multi-day outdoor trips each year: Wilderness Orientation for all new students, Fall Trip (five days in nearby mountains, deserts, and rivers), and Spring Trip (seven days in late April). These experiences serve as outdoor classrooms while fostering leadership, exploration, resilience, and camaraderie that carry back into academic life. In addition, the two-week Interim Program each February offers immersive learning and travel opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.

Creativity thrives at CRMS, with exceptional 2D and 3D art offerings that encourage students to explore and refine their artistic voice.

For families seeking a boarding school in an unrivaled mountain setting—offering rigorous college-preparatory academics alongside a powerful outdoor and service-learning program, grounded in meaningful relationships—visit crms.org to learn more.
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Colorado Rocky Mountain School | Carbondale, CO - Ranking | Tuition & Admissions (2026) | FindingSchool

Ranking

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School Stats

Average
Current school
Tuition
$77,500
Enrollment
170
International Students
10%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
70%
Teacher-Student Ratio
1:5
Endowment
$52 million
AP
14
Average SAT Score
1395
Average ACT Score
31
Class Size
12
Boarding %
60

Matriculation


College Matriculation

(2020-2025)
Ranking University/College Students
#5 Yale University 1
Art #8 Pratt Institute 1
#8 University of Pennsylvania 2
#13 Dartmouth College 2
#14 Brown University 1
LAC #4 Pomona College 4
#22 University of California: Berkeley 1
#23 University of Michigan 1
#25 University of Virginia 1

Academics

AP Scores

(2024-2025)
Number of students who took AP tests
55
Number of tests taken
106
25%
36%
27%
Score 5
Score 4
Score 3
Other scores

AP Courses

(14)
Environmental Science
Physics C: Mechanics
Calculus AB
United States History
English Language and Composition
Spanish Language and Culture
Environmental Science
Physics C: Mechanics
Calculus AB
United States History
English Language and Composition
Spanish Language and Culture
Chemistry
Calculus BC
Computer Science A
Statistics
World History
English Literature and Composition
United States Government and Politics
Studio Art: Drawing
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AP Equivalent and Beyond

(6)
Honors History 12
Comparative Government and Politics
Advanced Digital Arts
Geology
Social Justice Statistics
Advanced Music

Sports

(11)
Canoeing
Climbing
Cross Country
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Riding
Canoeing
Climbing
Cross Country
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Riding
Running
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Yoga
View all

Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

(30+)
Community Service Club
Diversity Club
International Club
Peer Tutoring
Recycling
Student Government
Community Service Club
Diversity Club
International Club
Peer Tutoring
Recycling
Student Government
Blacksmithing
Drama Production
Yearbook
Frisbee
Golf
View all

Arts

(10)
Music
Ceramics
Photography
Performing
Digital Art
Drawing
Music
Ceramics
Photography
Performing
Digital Art
Drawing
Video
Jewelry Design
Design Metals
Metal
View all

Contact Colorado Rocky Mountain School


Admissions Officer
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2.
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School Link

Apply

Colorado Rocky Mountain School is a member of SAO (The Standard Application Online) platform. Click the button below to apply.

Basic Info

Co-ed
Boarding Grades: 9-12
Rural
IB: No
ESL: Yes
Year Founded: 1953
Campus Size: 300 acres acres
Boarding Rate: 60%
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Religious Affiliation: No Religious Affiliation

Application Info

Deadline: 02/01
Interview: Zoom, On Campus, International Admission Visits
Pre Interview: No Requirement
Other Accepted Scores: Duolingo and TOEFL Jr
School Code:
TOEFL: 6782
SSAT: 2506
Spots for Chinese Students Next Year: 5

Reviews

5.0 wreath Overall Rating

FindingSchool Anonymous User
Anonymous User (Parent)
5 / 5
03/01/2026
CRMS is set in a safe, welcoming environment surrounded by nature and close to a town that feels just the right size.
With small advisory groups, students feel comfortable turning to teachers for guidance and support whenever they need it.
The close connections among teachers, students, and parents create a strong sense of community, and as a parent, I found great reassurance in knowing that everyone truly takes care of the students.
Beyond the initial orientation camp, students take part in three seasonal trips each year, camping in the outdoors and engaging in a wide range of activities. These experiences are invaluable in helping them develop independence, teamwork, and resilience.
Because of CRMS, my son has grown tremendously—both emotionally and physically.
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FindingSchool Anonymous User
A student
5 / 5
03/03/2026
Reviews from other languages
I graduated from CRMS in 2024. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Berkeley, and I want to share how CRMS's education has influenced me. Personally, my three years at CRMS were very happy, where I enjoyed the most beautiful scenery in the wilderness; I also met wonderful mentors and friends whom I still admire today, and learned many life lessons from them. The classroom atmosphere at CRMS is close-knit and very student-focused, and their AP courses also helped me understand college course content more quickly.

Considering that many parents will visit this website, I want to briefly mention that although my parents are usually very open-minded, they became even more so during my high school years, focusing on my long-term growth and life experiences. My time at CRMS made my parents and me realize that personal growth, sports, crazy experiences hiking in the forest, and human connection are just as important as getting into a good university. All in all, CRMS gave me a unique adolescence, and I am very grateful to my parents for supporting me and providing me with this precious opportunity.

(Note: This content was generated by Google Translate, so the expression might be slightly stiff. Please understand.)
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A FindingSchool User
4 / 5
10/17/2019
Reviews from other languages
Colorado Rocky Mountain School was founded in 1953 and is located in Colorado, in the central United States, surrounded by beautiful mountains.

The school is small, with a total of 165 students, and a boarding rate of 60%. The student-teacher ratio is 1:5. The school provides college counseling to students starting from 9th grade, and due to the high student-teacher ratio, every student receives sufficient attention.

Thanks to its unique geographical location, the school offers distinctive outdoor adventure activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and equestrianism. Winter skiing programs are even more diverse, including alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing.

The school's arts program is also very distinctive. In addition to regular art courses like music, drama, photography, painting, and ceramics, the school also offers specialized courses such as glass blowing, silversmithing, and ironwork. The glass tableware in the school cafeteria is all made by the students themselves.

Academically, it is a traditional AP school, and the school provides intermediate and advanced ESL courses for international students.
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Frequently Ask Questions about Colorado Rocky Mountain School

Tell me a bit about Colorado Rocky Mountain School.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School is Co-ed private boarding school located in Colorado, US. It was founded 1953 , and currently has about 170 students, 10.00% of whom are international students.

For more official information, please visit http://www.crms.org.
Does Colorado Rocky Mountain School have rigorous academic requirements?
Colorado Rocky Mountain School is offering 14 AP courses.

In recent years, 36 of their students score 4 and 5 in AP exams.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School also have 70% of faculties whose degrees are master and above.
Where do Colorado Rocky Mountain School students typically go for their colleges?
Based on the most recent matriculation data, 8.91% go to top 50 US universities and colleges*, 3.1% go to top 25, and about 2.33% go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT.

*Ranking is based on the 2024 US News College Ranking.
What is the application requirement for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
Similar to most private schools in the US, Colorado Rocky Mountain School’s typical admission requirements include school transcript, recommendation letter, application essay, and interview (often optional, but highly recommended).
What is the Boarding Tuition for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
The total fee for Colorado Rocky Mountain School in 2024 is $77,500 which typically includes tuition, boarding fee, student management fee and a few other fees associated with managing international students.

For more information, please contact school’s admission team at admissions@crms.org .
Where is Colorado Rocky Mountain School located?
Colorado Rocky Mountain School is located in the State of Colorado of USA.
How popular is Colorado Rocky Mountain School on the FindingSchool network?
Based on FindingSchool monthly traffic data as well as onsite search record, Colorado Rocky Mountain School is among the most popular schools, within top 284 for all schools on FindingSchool.

Also Colorado Rocky Mountain School has been favorited by 67 users.
How do I complete an application for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
The first stop is to carefully review the school profile on FindingSchool to learn more about Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Most of them are directly provided by the school.

Also it is highly recommended to visit Colorado Rocky Mountain School’s official site: http://www.crms.org or call them at 970-963-2562.
What is the FindingSchool rating for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?
The overall rating for Colorado Rocky Mountain School is B+.

The section ratings of Colorado Rocky Mountain School are:
B+ for Matriculation
A- for Academics
B+ for Extracurriculum
B- for Community
B+ for Students and Parents reviews

Nearby City

Denver, the capital of Colorado, is a vibrant city blending modern culture with Old West heritage. Known for its historic Larimer Square and iconic 19th-century architecture, Denver offers a rich arts scene with institutions like the Denver Art Museum, celebrated for its indigenous collections. The city is also a gateway to outdoor adventures, with nearby ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains. Denver’s diverse neighborhoods, craft breweries, and cultural landmarks make it a dynamic hub for both residents and visitors.

Population (2022) 598,707
Cost of Living Higher than average 12%

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