A History of The Orme School

The Orme School is one of the very few western independent schools of high academic standing whose origins are entirely in Arizona and the West. Long–time residents of Phoenix , Ariz. , The Orme Family moved to the remote Quarter Circle V-Bar Ranch in 1929. Faced with the problem of providing an education for their three children while operating a ranch remote from any nearby community, the Ormes arranged for the opening of a county accommodation grammar school. The number of students grew as friends in various parts of the country became interested in having their children share in the wholesome environment, home life, and outdoor living of the ranch and, at the same time, follow a rigorous college preparatory course of study.

The late 1940's and 1950's represented the developmental period for Orme. As Founding Headmaster, Charles H. Orme Jr. directed the physical plant design and construction of the 350-acre campus amidst the 26,000-acre working cattle ranch and farm. In 1952 the School graduated its first high school class and affirmed its objective of establishing a high–quality independent secondary school. During the early 1960's, it was decided that the School should establish itself as an independent legal entity from the Orme Ranch. Non-profit status was accomplished in 1962.

Today, The Orme School of Arizona has nearly 200 students and is building a dynamic future physically, socially and spiritually. The School has enjoyed over 90 percent retention of faculty and students the past three years and is in process of adding courses, required curriculum, AP courses and additional faculty. The entire campus is undergoing a face lift with every building receiving renovations, repairs and upgrades including all faculty homes and d or mit or ies. New athletic facilities, including baseball and softball fields, have been built and plans are being made f or additions to the gymnasium and a new track. A w or ld-class Rodeo and Equestrian facility is being built including the Kathryn Minna Orme Equestrian Center , a 45,000 square foot indo or arena. Also being planned is a new Arts Classroom Center and the conversion of the school theater into a 325 seat modern audit or ium. The School has attended to student’s social needs by returning to the founders’ mission of community service by rest or ing the traditional campus ch or e program. The spiritual needs of the student are also being attended to with the addition of a full-time minister who is overseeing a dynamic Monday Vespers that challenges as well as educates students and faculty on the imp or tance of spirituality in their lives. In addition over 33 percent of Orme’s students are recipients of scholarships to attend the School providing economic, religious, social and ethnic diversity.

For over 75 years, the Orme School has remained committed to the founding family’s traditional educational values of trust, community, responsibility, leadership, competition, and academics. A student who attends Orme today will meet the same challenges, reach the same goals and achieve the same level of scholastic excellence as expected of the first students who attended Orme over 75 years ago. Every year at Commencement the graduating class joins the ranks of Orme alumni who for three generations have pursued their college aspirations and become strong, active citizen leaders in their community and the world.