When Santiago Bedoya-Correa’s older sister started at Fountain Valley School, the independent coed college prep academy for boarders and day students in grades eighth to 12th, he tagged along for a tour. “As soon as I saw the campus and the dynamics between teachers and students, I knew it was the school where I needed to be to promote my own growth,” Bedoya-Correa says.
Nestled within an expansive parcel of prairie land that was once a Colorado Springs ranch, Fountain Valley opened in 1930 as a boarding school for boys with generous financial support from philanthropists Spencer and Julie Penrose. Today, it maintains a reputation as one of Colorado's preeminent educational institutions, with small class sizes, athletic programs inspired by the Western lifestyle and teachings that encourage the values of American pioneers, like self-reliance and curiosity.
Now a senior, Bedoya-Correa begins his final year as Community Council President, serving as a liaison between students and faculty. He plans to double major in biomedical and mechanical engineering with a focus on prosthetics. Among his mentors on campus are Simon Walker, History teacher, and Missie Alley, Spanish professor who’s been with Fountain Valley for 19 years. Here, each of them shares why they love the school and what sets it apart.
The Fountain Valley difference.
Walker: Boarding schools have traditionally struggled with cohesion and lack of community when they have a majority of boarding and then a minority of day students. I think we've come a long way in trying to solve that. We have 10 boarding houses where our boarders live, and we also assign our day students to a boarding house. They can use the common room, facilities and kitchens.
On the school’s educational philosophy.
Walker: We provide a balanced college prep education that progresses, from finding a sense of place to becoming a leader. Kids dive into their local and regional environments, get out of the country for a global perspective and then start to turn the focus back to themselves. They’re part of a place that was discovered and settled. It’s that idea of writing your own history—what can they make of themselves in this environment?
Alley: We give them an opportunity to write their own story. They're given tools and values, then an introduction to the world. At the end of their senior year, they have an idea of who they are. And the competitive piece isn't there. Students aren’t looking at their peers saying, ‘You're my competition.’ That's a huge victory for us.
Instilling five core values: courage, compassion, curiosity, self-reliance and open-mindedness.
Walker: Our students really sustain themselves, whether it’s using the online system where their homework is posted, seeking extra help if they are encountering difficulties, having the courage to take classes that are challenging. Our values reflect American rugged individualism. The American West experience lends itself to the boldness of wanting to try something new.
The importance of unique learning environments.
Alley: Everyone who works in our dining hall comes from Ecuador, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico. My students interview them, then we’ll cook meals together to understand recipes and learn more of the culture and language. Students become friends with the people who are preparing their food, which I feel is very important.
Pros and cons of technology in the classroom.
Alley: It's a delicate balance. In my classroom, there's no technology allowed except for what I use. I’ve gone back to paper and pen. When students leave, I've given them a ton of tools because I do think technology is incredible. As a homework assignment, they record conversations with someone in fluent Spanish, but the person is actually AI. They also write poetry in the classroom, then take it home and use technology to turn their words into a song to play for class the next day.
An unexpectedly rewarding student experience.
Bedoya-Correa: I was captain of the swim team last year, and we lost a lot of our seniors. Our team didn't have much experience. But what I really valued was the ability for all of them to rally before our last meet. This wasn't as much about finishing first as it was about students coming together in a sport they love. That last meet, I was able to break one of the school records. Another thing I loved was the meal after the meet. We went to Chipotle and had a great time. That experience showed me what kind of school Fountain Valley is.
Advice for prospective students.
Bedoya-Correa: Allow yourself to be swallowed up by the Fountain Valley spirit. There's a ton of diversity here. We have a lot of land around us that students can use. On the first day of school, freshmen ride a horse. I had never been in the proximity of a horse until I came to Fountain Valley. It was scary, but it was an amazing experience.
Don’t be scared to try anything new. One of the best things about Fountain Valley is the uniqueness of what they offer. The summer of my sophomore year, I was able to go on a student exchange to Australia for six weeks. Be prepared to put yourself in situations where you're not comfortable, but expect to reap the benefits. We have so many things that you wouldn't find anywhere else.
Fountain Valley School
6155 Fountain Valley School Road
719.390.7035
fvs.edu