Academics . . . the cornerstone of the Orme experience.
The heart of any college preparatory school is the academic program. The Orme School emphasizes personal mastery of fundamental concepts and skills prior to advancing in any discipline. Qualified students may enrich their studies by enrolling in Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Orme's size provides ample opportunity for flexibility, while small classes offer individualization and more direct involvement with faculty members. The School believes that learning is not confined to the classroom. Thus, Orme takes advantage of its unique setting in the Southwest with frequent trips and many other outdoor educational experiences. All students, except seniors, are required to be enrolled in at least five credit courses during any given semester. Students entering Orme with limited study skills will be assigned to a skill-building program at the discretion of the Academic Office.

100% of Orme graduates are college bound: 98% of the graduates enter four-year institutions, and 2% enter two-year institutions.

We are proud that 100 percent of our graduates are accepted to colleges, universities, or junior colleges.

EDUCATION IN THE ARTS IS CRITICAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BALANCED, WEll-INFORMED LIFE. CREATIVITY ENHANCES OUR APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.

The Horsemanship Department would like to welcome Craig Murdock to the "Up Top" team. He has already established himself as an invaluable and much appreciated part of our staff. He provides the maintenance, construction and re-engineering ideas that a facility such as ours needs on a daily basis. We feel very fortunate to have him on board. Welcome, Craig!

We would also like to thank the B-Cross Performance Horses owned by Tanner Bryson Ranch for their extremely generous donation of a 2000 gallon water truck. This will prove to be a huge asset to us in the maintenance of our arenas.

The Orme School Equestrian Program offers opportunities for all student riders, from the most inexperienced beginner through the serious and more accomplished equestrian. The beginner will be assigned a horse or they may bring their own in order to learn all of the basics of horseback riding and horse management. Each student will discover that, even as they come to understand and respect their horse, they will also acquire values of self-discipline, pride, self-esteem, responsibility and nurturing. A more skilled rider can learn advanced techniques of riding. Lessons and practice are offered in various areas of Western riding: pleasure, roping, reining, barrels and gymkhana games; in English riding: pleasure, jumping, dressage and equitation are offered. All students will be offered the opportunity to show their skills by competing in horse shows, junior rodeos and gymkhanas.

For many students, exploring the high desert country surrounding The Orme School is an ideal balance to the rigors of the academic day. The outdoors is also an arena for learning and growth. Orme's Outdoor Programs mission is to foster leadership development, personal responsibility, and teamwork. Programs emphasize an understanding and appreciation for our natural environment so students can form their own environmental ethic.

There are several components of The Orme School Outdoor Programs which all work to achieve the above mission: Outdoor Leadership Activity, Outdoor Leadership Class, Weekend Adventures, Outdoor Learning Experience, Caravan, and Fall Outing.

Dear Applicants and Families,
Thank you for your interest in The Orme School.

Choosing the right school for your child is an incredibly important decision, involving clear communication between you and the school. The Admissions Staff at Orme is committed to making this dialogue as informative and helpful as possible.

Your child's passage from enrollment to graduation is our specialty. Our faculty and staff are able to provide a comprehensive program that challenges and supports each student at every juncture of their education. Small class sizes and individual attention, both in and out of the classroom, allow Orme teachers to be a dedicated part of each student's intellectual growth and character development.

For 80 years, Orme students have been engaged in a challenging academic curriculum, combined with opportunities in athletics, fine arts, horsemanship, outdoor leadership, and service to others. As a nonsectarian school, Orme attracts a diverse student body that mirrors the world around us. At Orme, each student's physical, aesthetic, and spiritual life is emphasized through high expectations and a strong sense of personal and community responsibility. The families we serve are proud of the personal integrity and leadership qualities our graduates embody.

Information on our website will give you a brief overview of Orme, yet I highly encourage you to visit our beautiful 300 acre campus surrounded by a 26,000 acre horse and cattle ranch. We are located within an hour of Phoenix and are in close proximity to Sedona, Prescott, and Flagstaff. If you think Orme offers the right opportunities for you and your family, please continue with the application process as outlined on the website.

Please feel free to contact us at 928-632-7601, with any additional questions or interest you may have. We look forward to meeting you soon.

Sincerely,
Alex Spence, M.A.
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

It is well known that we are greatly influenced by our environment. The Orme School sits at the center of a forty-thousand-acre working cattle ranch that is carefully tended through holistic range management practices. On the campus itself, are towering trees, flowering bushes, and grassy lawns, as well as hummingbirds, hawks, and an occasional family of javelina.

Our surroundings affect the way we feel and think. The stunning natural beauty of the Southwest surrounds The Orme School. From any spot on the campus, a student can see mysterious mesas, riparian ribbons of tree-lined creek beds, dark mountains; they are all out there, shimmering in the sunlight. It is an open, uncluttered land inviting reflection and study.

Orme's location is an important asset to our educational programs. The vast open country is the perfect outdoor laboratory for research in geology, biology, and ecology. The night sky is ideal for the study of astronomy and sparking the sense of awe that comes from gazing at the Milky Way. On the Orme Ranch are ancient ruins, petroglyphs (rock art), and remnants of early pioneer days that make history, archeology, and anthropology come alive. Nothing creates a sense of wonder quite as well.

But Orme is not isolated. Phoenix, Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff are an easy drive, providing cultural and recreational opportunities to our students on a regular basis.