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The Putney School
418 Houghton Brook Road, Putney, VT 05346 - View a map of this school Map
tel: 802-387-6219

Putney is about living fully: intellectual engagement, creative play, progressive learning for a sustainable future.

Definition of Terms
Overview:
School Focus College Preparatory College Preparatory
Grades Offered 9-12, PG 9-12
School Type Co-ed Co-ed
Support for ADD/ADHD Students No No
Supports Learning Differences (LD) Yes Yes
Religious Affiliation Non-denominational Non-denominational
Year Founded 1935 1900
Campus Size 500 acres 135 acres
     
Student Body    
Enrollment 227 students 300 students
Percent Students of Color 14% 18%
Percent International Students 21% 16%
Percent Students Boarding 75% 70%
Average SAT Score 1725 *National Avg. » View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile) 1580 - 1890 -
Offers Post-Grad Year Yes No
     
Academics and Faculty    
Saturday Classes Yes No
Frequency of Saturday Classes Weekly Less than once a month
Classroom Dress Code Casual Casual
Average Class Size 15 12
*National School Avg. » 20
Teacher : Student Ratio 1:6 1:7
ESL Courses Offered Yes Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree 73% 60%
Summer Program Offered Yes Yes
     
Finances    
Endowment Size $15 million $15 million
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) $42,500 $39,900
Yearly Tuition (Day Students) $27,700 $22,560
Percent Students on Financial Aid 43% 31%
Average Financial Aid Grant $19,000 $18,000
Merit Scholarships Offered No No
     
Admission    
Application Deadline Jan. 15 / rolling Jan. 15
SSAT Required Yes Yes
Acceptance Rate n/a 60%
Director of Admissions Rick Cowan
Associate Director of Admissions Lois Barber
Course Listings:
List of Courses Offered Link to List of Courses
Sports:
Total Interscholastic Sports Offered 8 13


BasketballCrew
Cross Country RunningCycling
LacrosseNordic Skiing
SoccerUltimate Frisbee
Extracurricular:
Total Extracurricular Organizations 9 23
 
 
Alpine Skiing & SnowboardingChamber Music
Drama & Drama TechFencing
Literary MagazineMadrigals
Mountain BikingOrchestra
Yearbook 
College Matriculation:  
Year: 2005-2009
Columbia University
5
Bard
4
College of the Atlantic
3
University of Chicago
3
Dartmouth College
2
Hampshire College
2
Oberlin College
2
Reed College
2
Sarah Lawrence College
2
Smith College
2
Link to Matriculation Data
School Notes:
  • The Putney School is unique. We value broad learning experiences. Our founder, Carmelita Hinton, was a great believer in John Dewey's philosophy of learning by doing, better known as a progressive education. At Putney we discuss more than we lecture. We won't just teach you science. You, your peers and your teacher will explore science, the history of science and the ramifications of using science for the common good. And that's just science. Arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, weaving, pottery, music and dance are integral parts of our rigorous academic program.
  • The classroom curriculum is reinforced daily with a student work program on our 500-acre dairy farm, outdoor sports in the afternoon and visual and performing arts activities in the evening. It's a full day, but there's plenty of room to focus on special interests. Project Week (ten days, actually) takes the place of final exams at the end of each semester. Students design or choose two projects related to their academic and out-of-classroom endeavors. Guided by faculty sponsors, you'll work in groups or alone to delve deeper into the areas you'd really like to own. Last year, students planned, assembled and installed a one-kilowatt-hour wind generator that powers the lights in our dining hall. (Visit our website to see more projects.)
  • Our graduates go to Ivy League schools but only if they really want to. They're just as likely to attend Reed or Oberlin or the Rhode Island School of Design. We help them discover their next destination. If you'd like to have a unique educational experience on the way to yours, and know how to work hard when you get there, give us a call and arrange a visit.
  • LD types supported: Mild Learning Differences
  • Sample of notable school alumni:
    • Tim Daly - film, television, and theater actor
    • Wally Shawn - writer, actor, director
    • Jonathan Schell - author, The Fate of the Earth
    • Izumi Mori - Japanese fashion model
    • Kerry Kennedy Cuomo - Director Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Hum. Rights
    • Tea Leoni - actress
    • Tim Weiner - Pulitzer Prize winning journalist
  • Profile last updated: 11/03/2009
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