Rancho Solano Private Schools

Rancho Solano Preparatory School is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. It is a PK-12 international learning community for high achieving students. ^[1]

Quick stats

Rancho Solano has two campus locations.

• Middle/Upper School, 9180 E Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 (6th-12th)
• Early Learning/Lower School, 5656 E Greenway Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254 (PK-5th)

Established: 1954

Head of School: Dr. Paul Johnson, Head of School

Total faculty: 64

Enrollment: 550

Average Class Size: 15-16 students

Student to teacher ratio: 6:1

Number of athletic sports Offered: 9

Mascot: Blaze the Mustang

Average SAT score: SAT (1600) 1218; SAT (2400) 1804

Average ACT score: 27.70

Website: ranchosolano.com

Boarding program: yes

Associations: National Independent Private Schools Association; AdvancED Accreditation Commission by North Central Association & Commission on Accreditation & School Improvement, International Baccalaureate Programme, National Association for College Admission Counseling, Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling

Student body college acceptances: Arizona State University (Barrett Honors College), Brown University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Harvard College, Miami University-Oxford, New York University, Northeastern University, Princeton University, Pennsylvania State University, University of California at San Diego, Washington State University

Curriculum

RSPS offers students a personalized yet comprehensive educational experience in a small class size environment. The individualized academic approach develops students' passions and interests, emphasizes critical thinking and encourages personal growth and fulfillment.^[2] Class sizes tend to be small; at the Lower School the student/teacher ratio is 11.3.^[3] The ratio at the Middle/Upper School is 7:1.^[4] Unique aspects of RSPS are the Personalized Learning Plans, program offerings, and international learning community.

Many students participate in the academic summer programs. These programs are open to outside students when capacity permits. Students engage in a variety of science and technology oriented activities. Many of the exercises also emphasize team-building and creativity.^[5]

Athletics

RSPS participates in an athletic leagues with other local Arizona schools. The high school is a full member of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and National Federation of High Schools. The middle school is a member of the Vally Christian Schools League and Mountain Valley Athletic League.

High School: boys' soccer, girls' volleyball, boys' cross country, girls' cross country, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys lacrosse, girls' lacrosse, girls' sand volleyball, boys golf, boys' tennis, girls' tennis, strength and conditioning

Middle School: flag football, girls' volleyball, boys and girls' golf, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, Boys' soccer, girls' soccer, boys' lacrosse, girls' lacrosse, boys and girls' cross country, boys' and girls' tennis, strength and conditioning

HS: 6 boys' sports, 6 girls' sports MS: 7 boys' sports, 7 girls' sports

Athletic accolades

Tennis: Neha Alety, First State Champion in RS History. In her third opportunity in the Division III State Tennis Championship Match, Neha Alety finally finished her season with a victory. In winning the Girls Singles State Tennis Championship, Neha becomes the first State Champion in any sport in Rancho Solano History. Neha entered the 2016 State Championship match undefeated, something she had done twice before only to fall in the state championship match. This year, Neha was not to be denied defeating Sofie Linskey of Northland Prep (6-2, 6-4) in the finals. Over her 3 years, Neha has been named Division player of the year in 2016 and Section V player of the year in 2015, is a two-time State Runner-Up, has compiled a record of 48-2, and now adds State Champion to her list of achievements. This was the highest state tournament finish for any individual or team in Rancho Solano History.

Girls Volleyball: The Rancho Solano Prep girls' volleyball team won the school's first Section Title in 2015 and returned to the AIA State Tournament for the second time in program history. The team finished the season with a record of 18-2.

In 2014, the Rancho Solano girls' volleyball team made their first appearance in the AIA State Volleyball Tournament. They finished the season third in their section, with a 12-5 record. This was the first state tournament appearance for any Rancho Solano team since 2012 when the Mustangs’ High School Baseball Team qualified for the state tournament.

Senior Rancho Solano Prep volleyball player Shannon Gurley was named 3rd Team Small School All-America by MaxPreps in addition to being named 1st Team All-State and Section Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015. Gurley holds school records for Kills, Aces, Blocks, and Digs. Gurley was also named a Wendy's High School Heisman Finalist and the Fox Sports Arizona Athlete of the Month.

Boys' basketball: The Rancho Solano Prep boys' basketball team qualified for the AIA Division IV Section VI Tournament for the first time in school history in 2016. Senior Cameron Parmigiani was named 1st Team All-Section and was a participant in the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game.

Ownership

RSPS was acquired by Meritas in 2007.^[6] Meritas is a family of elite college-preparatory schools that provides a highly personalized education.

High school

RSPS started their first high school program in 2008, Rancho Solano Preparatory High School. It is the only private school in the greater Phoenix area to receive International Baccalaureate (IB) authorization.

References