Boarding School Review - Established 2003

North Country School

4382 Cascade Road Lake Placid NY 12946
Tel: (518) 523-9329
northcountryschool.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 4-9
  • Enrollment: 88 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $85,575
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $28,500
  • Acceptance rate: 65%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
North Country School Photo #4 - While remaining intentionally low-tech outside of the classroom, NCS still offers students the chance to take STEM courses, including robotics, coding and 3-D design.
North Country School Photo #5 - Engaging curriculum taught by passionate teachers where students are invited to actively participate in every lesson and take a lead in the learning process.
North Country School Photo #6 - North Country School's horseback riding program includes 10 horses, two riding rings, and miles of mountain trails.
North Country School Photo #7 - North Country School students come from diverse backgrounds, cultures and countries - and they are known well by the dedicated, multi-talented adults who teach, live with and care for them.
North Country School Photo #8 - North Country School students live with a roommate in small houses of 8-10 children. The house becomes the place for much of a student's learning and growth. Wednesdays are "home nights" when each house prepares and eats dinner together and enjoys house games and activities.
North Country School Photo #9 - North Country School's annual spring theatre production involves the entire school and highlights student actors and sophisticated theatre technology. Students may choose to be actors, set designers, musicians, or members of the stage crew. NCS provides students with many avenues for creative expression that promote a life-long love of the arts.
North Country School Photo #10 - North Country School offers students an opportunity to be outside every day and learn in a natural environment.
North Country School Photo #11 - NCS operates a working farm and extensive vegetable gardens that teach students lessons about responsibility and community.
North Country School Photo #12 - Learn by doing on our 333 acres campus
North Country School Photo #13 - We invite you to visit our campus and see first-hand what the NCS experience is like!
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About the School

  • North Country School (NCS) is a progressive boarding and day school in Upstate New York. Serving grades 4-9.
  • We prepare today's students for tomorrow's challenges. Our student-centered, personalized learning is complemented by experiential and place-based education in our signature programs across the arts, outdoor and farm and garden.
  • Our 333-acre campus' is located in the heart of the Adirondacks and includes a working farm, extensive organic gardens, a private lake, a rock climbing ledge, an alpine ski hill, and extensive hiking and cross-country trails.
  • NCS students come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and countries, and graduates attend competitive independent schools.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 4-9
  • Enrollment: 88 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $85,575
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $28,500
  • Acceptance rate: 65%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

North Country School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 271 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Small student body (number of students)
Student Attention
Small average class sizes
Student Attention
Low student-teacher ratio

School Overview

2026 School Data
North Country School
School Focus
Junior Boarding School
Grades Offered
4-9
School Type
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1938
Campus Size
333 acres
School Motto
Art every day

Student Body

Enrollment
88 students
% Students of Color
25%
% International Students
35%
% Students Boarding
66%

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
8 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
30%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
# of AP Courses Offered
1
Courses

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$16 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$85,575
(Tuition includes all activities, meals, and services such as laundry. Extra costs include transportation to and from campus, specialized learning skills, and optional ski/snowboard rental)
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$28,500
(Tuition includes all weekend activities, skiing, music lessons, technology fees, meals and snacks etc.)
Tuition international students
$89,900
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$65,250
Summer Program Cost
$11,900
(There is a 7-week session that costs $11900 and a 4-week session that costs $8850. Financial aid is available.)
% Students on Financial Aid
32%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$32,000
(Typical awards range form 15%-35%)
Merit Scholarships Offered
n/a

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
Acceptance Rate
65%
Director of Admissions
Catherine Bemis
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
Sports
Alpine SkiingBasketball
ClimbingCross Country
DanceEquestrian
Freestyle SkiingMountain Biking
MountaineeringNordic Skiing
Rock ClimbingSki Jumping
SkiingSnowboarding
SoccerUltimate Frisbee

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
27
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Creative Writing


Arts and Music Programs:
Art ClubCeramics Club
ChorusDarkroom Photography
Fiber ArtsFilm and Video
Improv TheatreIndustrial Arts
Jewelry MakingMetal Sculpture
Rock BandStudio Art
TheaterTheatre Arts
Theatre TechTreehouse Design


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine Skiing & SnowboardingBasketball Club
Camping ClubHiking Club
Music Theatre ClubOutdoor Leadership
Rock ClimbingSki Jumping
SnowboardingUltimate Frisbee

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Westtown School
5
Northwood School
4
The Putney School
4
Dublin School
3
Gould Academy
3
Buxton School
2
Holderness School
2
The Darrow School
2
Cate School
1
The Lawrenceville School
1
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • ACADEMICS: Our traditional core curriculum, enriched by hands-on projects and activities, focuses on the acquisition of solid academic skills. Small classes allow for attention and instruction that challenge and support each child as an individual. Children learn by doing, and they grow by exploring new things, all with the guidance of caring, creative adults. In our academic program, the emphasis on experiential learning is evident in hands-on projects and lessons that focus on our location. In North Country School classes, math students learn about measurement and acquire new computer skills when they record and track the weights of newborn lambs in the barnyard. Science students learn the physical properties of snow pack during a winter term unit on avalanches. In English class, students write persuasive letters to elected officials about current issues they have researched; they create hand-bound, hard-cover journals of their writing and artwork. In arts electives, students paint barn murals, renovate a rowboat in disrepair, or dye wool from our sheep to use in knitting and felting projects. To help students acquire the skills they need in all core academic disciplines, NCS teachers employ a mix of instructional strategies. From collaborative group work to lectures to hands-on labs and projects, students experience innovative teaching strategies on a daily basis. Learning support services are also available to meet students` needs. Finally, while remaining low-tech outside of the classroom, North Country School embraces the use of computer technology as a critical learning tool. Homework and other class projects are posted on Google Classroom, facilitating student-teacher communication. The computer lab is equipped with modern video and photo editing software. While NCS keeps current with technological advances, the school takes pride in a judicious use of technology in order to minimize students' unproductive computer time.
  • RESIDENTIAL LIFE - Students at NCS live with a roommate in one of six small houses of 8-10 children. A team of faculty houseparents works carefully to support and supervise each child. Sharing living spaces and the daily routines of morning wake-up, evening study hall, and bedtime creates strong relationships among the children and adults in the house. The house becomes the place for much of each student's learning and growth. "Home nights" every Wednesday - when each house prepares and eats dinner together and enjoys special activities - help students feel a sense of family and a "home away from home."
  • ARTS: "Art every day" are words we live by at North Country School. For a school our size, we have an unusually large group of arts teachers (more than one-third of the faculty teaches an arts class) and an impressive array of course listings. All students have the equivalent of at least one art class every day, with younger students rotating through core classes in music, theatre, painting and drawing, ceramics, fiber arts, photography, and woodshop. 7th-9th graders choose from electives that provide opportunities for advanced mastery of core arts, as well as exposure to new offerings. Students of all ages have opportunities to submit their work to juried art shows sponsored by local arts organizations. 
  • FARM & GARDEN: Our students all contribute to the community with daily chores, helping care for the animals on our farm and planting, weeding and harvesting food from our gardens. As a founding member of the Edible Schoolyard program, we have long valued incorporating education around food, cooking, and sustainability into our programming. Our horseback riding program allows all students to learn to ride and allows experienced riders to progress to more advanced skills such as jumping.
  • OUTDOORS & ATHLETICS: Taking full advance of our spectacular mountain setting, the Outdoor Program offerings range from a walk in the woods to ambitious multi-day hiking and backpacking trips. We offer team sports such as soccer, basketball, cross-country skiing and ultimate frisbee, as well as an equestrian program with ten horses, two riding rings and miles of mountain trails. In the winter months we have extensive snow sport offerings, including skiing and snowboarding on our own ski hill and at Whiteface Mountain, Nordic skiing, skating, and ice climbing. The outdoor program encourages students to take risks, acquire new skills, and gain confidence. All gear, except for personal clothing, is provided so that all children have the opportunity to participate in all offerings.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • David Loud - Musician and Conductor
    • Richard Rockefeller - Physician and philanthropist
    • Robel Teklemariam - Olympian (cross-country skiing)
    • Hayden Herrera - Art historian and biographer
    • Matt Salinger - Actor, son of author JD Salinger
    • David Sloan Wilson - Evolutionary biologist
    • Yasmin Aga Khan - Philanthropist
    • Adam Guettel - Composer and lyricist; Tony award winner
    • Jessica Tuck - Actress
    • Guillaume de Ramel - Philanthropist
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does North Country School cost?
North Country School's tuition is approximately $85,575 for boarding students and $28,500 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of North Country School?
The acceptance rate of North Country School is 65%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from North Country School?
North Country School famous alumni include: David Loud, Richard Rockefeller, Robel Teklemariam, Hayden Herrera, Matt Salinger, David Sloan Wilson, Yasmin Aga Khan, Adam Guettel, Jessica Tuck and Guillaume de Ramel.
What sports does North Country School offer?
North Country School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Freestyle Skiing, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Ski Jumping, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.
Does North Country School offer a summer program?
Yes, North Country School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is North Country School's ranking?
North Country School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students), Small average class sizes and Low student-teacher ratio.
When is the application deadline for North Country School?
The application deadline for North Country School is Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 4-9
  • Enrollment: 88 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $85,575
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $28,500
  • Acceptance rate: 65%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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