The Putney School Photo - 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.

Best Vermont Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 135 private schools serving 13,583 students in Vermont (there are 302 public schools, serving 77,231 students). 15% of all K-12 students in Vermont attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $18,962 for elementary schools and $33,352 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Vermont include Burke Mountain Academy, St. Johnsbury Academy, and Vermont Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 71% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 12% and the student-teacher ratio is 8:1.
22% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Overview

This State (VT)
US
# Schools
135 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
13,583 Students
5,693,709 Students
% Average Students of Color
12%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
1,569 Teachers
507,994 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
55%
Average Class Size
12 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
12 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1172
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$22,744
$14,913
Average Summer Program Cost
$7,900
$1,146
Average % on Financial Aid
38%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$7,523
$7,191
Average Acceptance Rate
71%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$35.75 million
$62.25 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.46
0.65
# American Indian Students
56 Students
29,825 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
604 Students
264,979 Students
% Asian Students
4%
5%
# Hispanic Students
301 Students
507,039 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
9%
# Black Students
348 Students
416,385 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
9,811 Students
2,931,618 Students
% White Students
71%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
8 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
2,744 Students
1,471,670 Students
% of Others Students
20%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked Vermont Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
8
293
6%
14
1,780
31%
9
1,762
37%
36
3,167
13%
2
47
10%
2
1,242
14%
6
286
8%
6
457
11%
3
119
3%
9
534
7%
14
868
10%
19
2,470
33%
7
558
8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Vermont?
The top-ranked private schools in Vermont include Burke Mountain Academy, St. Johnsbury Academy, and Vermont Academy.
How many private schools are located in Vermont?
There are 135 private schools are located in Vermont.
How much do private schools cost in Vermont?
The average private school tuition in Vermont is $18,962 for elementary schools and $33,352 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Vermont?
Approximately 12% of students in Vermont private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Vermont go to private school?
15% of all K-12 students in Vermont attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Vermont?
22% of private schools in Vermont are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in Vermont are often viewed compared to one another?

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