Read more details about The Putney School on their 2025-26 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Putney's core curriculum makes it a leader in the field of progressive education. Because most students live at the school, that means they are steeped in this from the time they get up in the morning to the time they go to sleep.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I shared the achievements above...As for ways I changed and grew: as my mother once put it "I'm so glad you didn't go to Andover, you'd have become such a nerd!" (I got into every school I applied to.)I went into Putney as a shy, academics-obsessed girl, and emerged confident in my skills as a writer, and wanting to make a difference in the world. Putney taught me in many ways to think beyond myself and to think of what my place in the world should be.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
I feel bad for kids today because when I was a kid, I didn't have a phone; to talk to my parents I had to wait in line at the one pay phone on campus. That was a good thing. (I did write them letters.)My advice to kids today is to immerse yourself in the privilege of living on a campus. There are so many ways to learn that go beyond the classroom. I am so glad I went to Putney.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The people. (Or perhaps more intellectually, "the ethos.") To this day I believe there is a "Putney person." From teachers, to staff, to students, the 'Putney person' is deeply engaged with the Putney community, while also keeping an eye on the world at large. A Putney person keeps an eye out for friends or those who might be struggling. A Putney person laughs and works and plays hard, while addressing academic topics with curiosity and humility. A Putney person leaves campus wanting to be, as Mr. Rogers put it, "a helper."
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
I'd advise anyone visiting to check out the barn, and then across the way, one of the new dorms. Hepper House is a net-zero dorm that has top notch faculty apartments and comfortable common space for students. Also Currier Center has art displays ...honestly see everything!
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I appreciated how the teachers met you where you were and allowed you to take what you'd learned further or in a different direction.Being on a first-name basis with teachers (not common in the 70s) also meant - to me anyway - that classroom discussions were deeper because there was a level of trust.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I was not a sports-oriented person, and I appreciated that Putney made uniforms optional and emphasized the love of movement. I ended up loving soccer. (One of our team mates ended up making t-shirts for the team so we did end up having uniforms!) You could at that time also take courses that were not strictly sports but still involved physicality and movement. I don't know if cow-walking is still a sport, but it's not as easy as you'd think to teach a calf how to walk on a lead!
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
To this day, the quality of the arts, music and theatre programs astound me. I can read the literary magazine - which included art - and see the quality still there. I wish there had been film of some of the theater performances because they were really special. I think it was because Putney let you go as deep as you wanted to - within the confines of a 24 hour day - that produced such high artistic quality. (My identity as a writer was solidified then; I'm a writer to this day.)
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
I liked the variety of activities that were open to you. Again it's so long ago that it's hard for me to remember but I remember the range of Evening Activities being across the spectrum - usually arts-based such as knitting, dance, music - but also if I recall correctly, there were some science-based ones. I remember one friend was allowed to use a computer connected to Dartmouth during evening activities.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Some of my best friends today are ones I met in the dorms I lived in. Not that we had much time in dorms!
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
In the 70s, we actually had sit-down dinners, with waiters and head waiters. (I remember because I was one.) The KDU where all meals were held continues to be a warm welcoming space and the food was always delicious. I learned to like corn on the cob for the first time because it had just been picked, and our milk came from the cows at the school.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
The town of Putney and Brattleboro were full of cheap eats and places to shop. On Saturdays, buses from the school went into Brattleboro. It's also of course beautiful in Vermont.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
When you're living on a hill with 200 other people, you get to know everyone, and you get to know your friends especially well of course. I think I learned how to be a good friend there because you had to address any issues head on - there was no place to hide! The school also held movie nights and "social dances" (instead of prom), as well as square dances etc. My very best friends to this day are from Putney.
Read more details about The Putney School on their 2025-26 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
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Description
Putney's core curriculum makes it a leader in the field of progressive education. Because most students live at the school, that means they are steeped in this from the time they get up in the. . .
In addition to a progressive education, two of the most unique aspects of Putney are the work program and arts program. The work program has students working in the kitchen, on the farm, and in. . .
Putney is a vibrant community where teachers and students are actual friends. It’s conducive to personal growth and a place where I and other students found our passions. Everyone is excited and working on something. . .
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