Founded in 1997, Vermont Commons School is an independent, college-preparatory school, located in South Burlington, Vermont for students in grades 6 - 12.
At Vermont Commons School, we believe in engagement; engagement in our school community, in academic classes, in the natural world, in our towns, our state, the country and the world at large. Through small classes and individualized curriculum, mini-buses and public transit, projects both local and international, we engage students in multi-disciplinary academics, in community service and action, and most importantly, in the journey of self-discovery.
VCS is proud to educate students who are academically motivated and intellectually curious.
The average class size is 12-14, and each year 100% of the graduating class gains acceptance to college.
The school primarily serves students from the greater Chittenden County area, although some students travel from as far away as Middlebury, Waitsfield, towns along the Canadian border and Plattsburgh, New York.
Approximately 30% of the student body receives need-based financial aid to attend the school.
Courses are offered on a semester and yearlong basis.
Enrollment for the 2022 academic year is 105 students.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked VT School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 113 students
- Yearly Tuition: $27,900
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 20 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Vermont Commons School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Vermont for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
Advanced Degrees
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
Year Founded
1997
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
113 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
20 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
82%
Average Class Size
12 students
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Chinese, Diploma Program in Global Citizenship, Diploma Program in Natural Sciences, Diploma Program in the Visual Arts, Spanish
Average SAT score
1245
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
30
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 20 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$27,900
Tuition Notes
Price for the 2023 - 2024 academic year:
Grades 6 - 8: $27,900
Grades 9 - 12: $31,900
% on Financial Aid
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$12,000
Admissions Director
Kat Nelson
Sports
Total Sports Offered
4 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Book Club, Climate Club, Junior Iron Chef, LGBTQ Alliance, Model UN, Model United Nations, Racial Justice Alliance, Robotics Club, Student Senate
Arts and Music Programs:
Jazz Band
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine Skiing
Book Club, Climate Club, Junior Iron Chef, LGBTQ Alliance, Model UN, Model United Nations, Racial Justice Alliance, Robotics Club, Student Senate
Arts and Music Programs:
Jazz Band
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine Skiing
School Notes
- The academic program at Vermont Commons incorporates genuine life experiences with challenging academic offerings taught by a dynamic faculty, most of whom have advanced degrees. The central purpose of all academic activities is to provide students with exceptional skills, knowledge, and experiences in each academic discipline. Classes at VCS are writing intensive, hands-on, and focus on critical thinking skills across the curriculum. Students move from acquiring skills and understanding systems, to analyzing and communicating solutions.Vermont Commons presents a challenging college preparatory curriculum for grades 6 - 12. The curriculum offers courses in a variety of subjects and uses material in ever increasing depth and complexity throughout a student's career. At each stage in the process students enjoy strong mentoring relations with their teachers. By junior and senior year they experience the expectations of college level coursework. We offer a Contract Honors Program, which was implemented at the onset of the 2012-2013 academic year, and this program is an opportunity for students to gain extra challenge, complexity, and coursework in grades 10-12. Students "contract" for additional studies and earn an Honors designation for that course on their transcript.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Vermont Commons School cost?
Vermont Commons School's tuition is approximately $27,900 for private students.
What sports does Vermont Commons School offer?
Vermont Commons School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
What is Vermont Commons School's ranking?
Vermont Commons School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Vermont for: Highest average SAT score and Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for Vermont Commons School?
The application deadline for Vermont Commons School is Feb. 20 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 20 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
School Reviews
5 7/21/2021
My child attended Vermont Commons for 5 years. It was a positive experience from start to finish. The faculty challenged her, appreciated her, and saw her for who she was as a student and person. The student body is an energetic collective of scholars. Encounter Weeks are fabulous learning opportunities for students to explore the world - and their place in it. Overall, it was the best high school journey we could have had as a family. AND she is well prepared for and loving college. Thank you VCS!
5 5/17/2016
Vermont Commons School has made a huge difference in my son's life. He was not particularly motivated by the academics or his peers at our public high school. At VCS he has become engaged in the academics which are more rigorous, more thought-provoking, and more fun than what he had before. The teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach and they are there to help the students learn and grow. He has close friends now. The sports program is perfect for him. The basketball team is coed and all the kids practice and play. He signed up for it happily and he is in better shape and healthier due to the program. He went on a school trip canoeing in the Adirondacks for a week which again was both fum and good exercise. He is getting a solid base for college both in terms of a wholesome community in which to thrive and academics in which he is given college level assignments.
5 7/24/2015
My child loves attending Vermont Commons, great teachers who are thoughtful and creative. The program is rigorous and my child works hard, but the end result is that she is happy! Great college placement, too.
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