Colorado Rocky Mountain School (2026 Profile)

Q: How much does Colorado Rocky Mountain School cost?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School's tuition is approximately $71,000 for boarding students and $44,500 for day students.

Q: What is the acceptance rate of Colorado Rocky Mountain School?

The acceptance rate of Colorado Rocky Mountain School is 55%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

Q: Who are famous alumni from Colorado Rocky Mountain School?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School famous alumni include: Oliver Platt '78, Conrad Anker ’82 and Susan Meiselas ’66.

Q: What sports does Colorado Rocky Mountain School offer?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Equestrian, Freestyle Skiing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Riding, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming and Tennis. Colorado Rocky Mountain School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.

Q: What is Colorado Rocky Mountain School's ranking?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student, Most sports offered, High SSAT scores and High ACT scores.

Q: When is the application deadline for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?

The application deadline for Colorado Rocky Mountain School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

5.00 (8 reviews)

Tel: (970) 963-2562

500 Holden Way
Carbondale, CO 81623

www.crms.org

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SAVE SCHOOL

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #1 - With 174 students, relationships are at the core of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School experience. This close-knit community resides on a 320-acre historic ranch, at the confluence of two rivers and base of Mount Sopris, providing not only an outdoor learning laboratory but a launch point for boundless outdoor adventure.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #2 - We provide endless opportunities to experience a broad range of mountain sports such as skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking this exposure to the outdoors helps our students to develop life-long passions.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #3 - As a small school, relationships are at the core of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School experience. Our faculty members are not only teaching classes but are mentors in our outdoor and active program in addition to serving as dorm parents.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #4 - Learning at Colorado Rocky Mountain School also means heading into the great outdoors three times a year. Our outdoor trips focus on the natural areas near the school for hiking, biking, climbing, and river sports.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #5 - From assisting in the garden or kitchen to making mugs in ceramics or trail building to repairing bikes or skis, you will positively contribute to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School community through service.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #6 - Robotics is one of several computer science offerings here at Colorado Rocky Mountain School.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #7 - At Colorado Rocky Mountain School, we focus on inclusion and access. All students have the opportunity to try a new sport or take their passion to the next level. Whether you are a beginner or ready to join our state championship climbing or mountain biking teams - there is a place for everyone!

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #8 - The culture of music is organic and permeates so much of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School community. In addition to music classes, students can perform during All School Meetings, Coffee Houses or jam with teachers and peers during free time.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #9 - Whether discovering your creative side for the first time or wanting to pursue an art career in college and beyond, Colorado Rocky Mountain School enjoys a robust and unique range of offerings including glassblowing, blacksmithing, silversmithing, printmaking and more.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo #10 - 100% of Colorado Rocky Mountain School graduates are admitted to 4-year colleges and universities.

Colorado Rocky Mountain School is an independent boarding and day school that challenges students to excel in an academic curriculum balanced within a program of the arts, athletics, physical work, service to the community, and enriching wilderness experience.

A college-preparatory curriculum taught by a committed residential faculty prepares students to enter the wide range of selective colleges and universities.

The 320-acre campus, located on a historic ranch outside of Carbondale, Colorado, makes this the ideal place for wilderness and experiential learning opportunities as well as a variety of mountain and river sports.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 174 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,000
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,500
Acceptance rate: 55%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Colorado Rocky Mountain School ranks among the top 10 schools with < 200 students (out of 97 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Colorado Rocky Mountain School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1953

1909

Campus Size

300 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment

174 students

300 students

% Students of Color

17%

25%

% International Students

12%

20%

% Students Boarding

60%

70%

Average SAT Score

1221
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

SAT range (25th-75th percentile)

1170 - 1560

Average ACT score

26
(Out of 36)

*National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

12 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

58%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC

AP Environmental ScienceAP Language and Composition

AP US History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$38 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$71,000
(Financial aid is available on the basis of need.)

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$44,500
(Financial aid is available on the basis of need. )

$33,500

% Students on Financial Aid

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$32,700
(Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need. )

$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

SSAT Required

Yes

Average Percentile SSAT

70%

Acceptance Rate

55%

58%

Director of Admissions

Molly Dorais

Associate Director of Admissions

Julie Wiley

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

Alpine SkiingClimbing

Cross CountryCross Country Running

CyclingEquestrian

Freestyle SkiingKayaking

Mountain BikingMountaineering

Nordic SkiingRiding

Rock ClimbingSnowboarding

SoccerSwimming

Tennis

Show More (1)Hide

Colors

White, Green

School Mascot

Rocky Mountain Oysters

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Community Service ClubDiversity Club

Peer TutoringRecycling

River WatchStudent Government

Arts and Music Programs:

BlacksmithingCeramics

Drama ProductionGlassblowing

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Frisbee GolfSnowboarding

Winter Travel

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

Univerity of Colorado at Boulder

Montana State University

Colorado College

University of Denver

Lewis and Clark College

University of Puget Sound

University of Vermont

Colorado School of Mines

New York University

Middlebury College

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

Our Mission: Colorado Rocky Mountain School cultivates a learning environment in which students discover their potential to excel as individuals, contribute to their communities, and thoughtfully participate in the world we share.
Academic Curriculum: Our academic curriculum features rigorous college-prep academic and visual and performing arts classes, with an emphasis on classroom discussions, hands-on work, and research and study. Our unique active curriculum embraces our afternoon work crews and sports, as well as backcountry trips.
Arts Curriculum: Visual and performing arts are an integral part of life at Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Together classes and experience in the arts enhance our students' abilities to enjoy and excel in all parts of our program. Students can try their hands at hand at blacksmithing, silversmithing, painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, music, drama, and much more.
Residential Curriculum: Boarding students live in age-specific, single-sex residences where they are cared for by dedicated residential faculty. Our six dorms are small for an independent school, with some housing as few as 11 students. Students here quickly feel part of a caring and supportive environment. We encourage our students to develop lasting friendships with each other and to get to know their teachers as mentors and role models.
Outdoor Program: We believe that the classroom must open out onto the world, that a scholar's life should encompass action as well as quiet study. In a tradition as old as the school, our students and faculty spend 21 days in the backcountry each year.
College Counseling: We offer a comprehensive college counseling program to guide you and your parents through the complex process of applying for college. Through our college planning handbook and regular meetings with our college counseling staff, we'll work with you on a year-by-year plan. Some of our recent graduates have been accepted to Dartmouth, Pamona College, Smith, Swarthmore, Middlebury, Wellesley, New York University, Yale, the University of Chicago, and Colorado College.
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Oliver Platt '78 - attended CRMS for three years. After graduating, he majored in drama at Tufts University where he made his professional debut on stage. His credits include: “Flatliners” (1990) as Randal Steckle; “Indecent Proposal” (1993) with Robert Redford/
- Conrad Anker ’82 - is a leading figure in climbing. He is a professional mountaineer who has made breakthrough first ascents throughout the world, from the Himalayans to Antarctica, and Patagonia. He co-authored the book “Lost Explorer.”
- Susan Meiselas ’66 - is an internationally acclaimed photojournalist. She has been published in Time, the New York Times, Life, and Paris Match. She earned a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. in visual education from Harvard University.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Colorado Rocky Mountain School cost?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School's tuition is approximately $71,000 for boarding students and $44,500 for day students.

What is the acceptance rate of Colorado Rocky Mountain School?

The acceptance rate of Colorado Rocky Mountain School is 55%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

Who are famous alumni from Colorado Rocky Mountain School?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School famous alumni include: Oliver Platt '78, Conrad Anker ’82 and Susan Meiselas ’66.

What sports does Colorado Rocky Mountain School offer?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Equestrian, Freestyle Skiing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Riding, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming and Tennis. Colorado Rocky Mountain School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.

What is Colorado Rocky Mountain School's ranking?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student, Most sports offered, High SSAT scores and High ACT scores.

When is the application deadline for Colorado Rocky Mountain School?

The application deadline for Colorado Rocky Mountain School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Alumni #1
Class of 2019
5.007/9/2019
n/a

One especially unique part of CRMS are our mandatory after-school activities-- twice a week, you have a Work Crew (internal community service), and twice a week you have an Active (intramural or team sports). Students. . .

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Alumni #2
Class of 2019
5.005/2/2019
Currently finishing High School

One aspect that CRMS has is that we are a very outdoors school. This means that twice a year we have trips into the wilderness based on the type of sport your interested in. This. . .

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Alumni #3
Class of 2019
5.005/2/2019
N/A

The atmosphere that CRMS has is one that values outdoor education as much as indoor education. We get outside in the wilderness more than any other school that I know of. . .

Show more reviews (5 reviews)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 174 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,000
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,500
Acceptance rate: 55%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

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