Private School Review - Established 2003

The Putney School

5.00 (1 review)
418 Houghton Brook Rd Putney, VT 05346
Tel: (802) 387-6201
www.putneyschool.org

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked VT School
  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 225 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $82,600
  • Acceptance rate: 25%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
The Putney School Photo #1 - Putney is a co-educational boarding and day school for grades 9-12 founded in 1935 by Carmelita Hinton. We are a progressive school, in that we value the idea that education is something to be actively pursued rather than passively received. Our commitment to Ms. Hinton's fundamental beliefs have put Putney at the leading edge of education in America.
The Putney School Photo #2 - The Putney School is located on a working dairy farm. We value the dignity and relevance of physical work, which shows through our Work Program. Students carry out daily chores, collaborate in teams, learn skills, and sometimes lead crews in various areas: barn, kitchen, land-use, dining & maintenance.
The Putney School Photo #3 - We are not a 'prep' school. While many of our students head off to the top colleges in the country, their experiences at Putney are about engaging material, expanding interests, and gaining tools, not 'preparing' to be somewhere else.
The Putney School Photo #4 - Art is a part of every student's daily life. We take the arts seriously while supporting a spirit of discovery. We offer 20 art forms, including blacksmithing, ceramics, chorus, creative writing, dance, drama, fiber arts, jazz, jewelry, orchestra, Latin dance, photography, sculpture, stained glass & woodworking.
The Putney School Photo #5 - Sustainability is at the center of a Putney education. It is embedded in our campus, our community, and our curriculum. We are located on a 500-acre working dairy farm in southeastern Vermont, this serves as a laboratory and partner for studying the world around us and applying the lessons we learn about ecology, forestry, energy and agriculture.
The Putney School Photo #6 - The community at Putney is warm, open, mutually respectful and rousing. We come together as a whole school three times per week. Every Thursday is All School Sing (pictured here), a tradition dating back to Putney's founding in the '30's, which spans a fun and eclectic assortment of styles.
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Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked VT School
  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 225 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $82,600
  • Acceptance rate: 25%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

The Putney School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Vermont for:

Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Lowest average acceptance rates
Diversity
Highest percentage of students of color
Student Body
Largest student body

School Facts

School Type
Alternative School
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Other special emphasis association(s)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE)
Religious Affiliation
Nonsectarian
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Students By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade

GradeThe Putney School
941
1058
1162
1264
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
https://www.putneyschool.org/ctl/
Year Founded
1935
Colors
Green/White
First Day of School
Fri. Sep 4, 2026
Last Day of School
Sun. Jun 6, 2027
Campus Size
600 acres

Student Body

Total Students
225 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
37%
State avg.: 12%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
35 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
Average Class Size
12 students
List of Courses Offered
Link to List of Courses
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
View Matriculation Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$82,600
View national tuition avg.
Tuition Notes
Day students: $51,600
% on Financial Aid
37%
Acceptance Rate
25%
National avg.: 82%
College Acceptance Rate
99%
Admissions Director
Patrick Noyes
Application URL
Online Application
Endowment Size
$33 million

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Literary MagazineYearbook


Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber OrchestraMadrigals
Orchestra


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine Skiing & SnowboardingFencing
FitnessHorseback riding
Mountain BikingYoga

School Notes

  • We are a progressive school, in that we value the idea that education is something to be actively pursued rather than passively received.
  • When students learn by doing rather than being told, they develop confidence, deeper understanding, and resolve.
  • Our continued commitment to our fundamental beliefs, and our deliberate choices for our community and curriculum have put Putney at the leading edge of education in America.
  • School Mascot: The Elm Tree
  • The Putney School is designed for independent, motivated, and capable students seeking intellectual freedom, responsibility and opportunities for competence in a variety of fields. The school's 500-acre campus is situated on a working Vermont dairy farm that supports a rich curriculum in sustainability. As a progressive school, we think of our curriculum as everything we do. This includescourse work,student-driven projects, ourWork Program,Afternoons,Evening Arts,independent studies, and off-campus learning opportunities.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Ted Osius - U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
    • Wally Shawn - Writer, actor, director
    • Jonathan Schell - Author, The Fate of the Earth
    • Errol Morris - Documentary filmmaker
    • Kerry Kennedy Cuomo - Director Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Hum. Rights
    • Tea Leoni - Actress
    • Tim Weiner - Pulitzer Prize winning journalist
    • Tim Daly - Film, television, and theater actor
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Putney School cost?
The Putney School's tuition is approximately $82,600 for private students.
What schools are The Putney School often compared to?
The Putney School is often viewed alongside schools like Vermont Academy by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of The Putney School?
The acceptance rate of The Putney School is 25%, which is lower than the national average of 71%. The Putney School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Vermont with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from The Putney School?
The Putney School famous alumni include: Ted Osius, Wally Shawn, Jonathan Schell, Errol Morris, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, Tea Leoni, Tim Weiner and Tim Daly.
What sports does The Putney School offer?
The Putney School offers 11 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Climbing, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Nordic Skiing, Soccer, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
What is The Putney School's ranking?
The Putney School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Vermont for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of students of color and Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for The Putney School?
The application deadline for The Putney School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5  
Putney is a wonderful and nurturing school with a fantastic arts program. It's been more than 10 years since I graduated and every passing year increases my understanding of what a special place Putney is and how blessed I was to attend. I received so much personal, academic, and creative support. I was given space and fantastic resources to discover myself as a person and an artist. I met lifelong friends and mentors. I was taught the value of hard work and time management. They met the superficial 'prep school' goal of helping me get into a top college. Going to Putney altered the course of my life in a wonderful way. I am forever in their debt.
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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Windham County, VT is $23,213 for elementary schools and $40,186 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Windham County, VT is 57% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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