At Putney, you are learning all the time: inside and outside, with teachers and fellow students, through your jobs and leadership roles, in independent study, around campfires, and in classrooms.Here, you are encouraged to pursue your creativity and intellect and discover how your ideas can take shape in the world.
With hands-on projects at the center of the experience, you explore your interests, challenge yourself, and develop a deeper understanding of how you learn best.Your teachers focus on giving you the tools not just to answer questions, but to ask good ones, pursue the answers independently, and share your work and ideas with others.
Along the way, you learn how you thrive and how to apply those strengths in everyday life.
Whether in the classroom, on the farm, or in the community, you have the freedom to express yourself in meaningful and individual ways.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 220 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $80,200
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $50,100
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events and News
- Virtual Event - Sun., September 20, 2026 5:00pm (EDT) - get more information!
- Virtual Event - Sun., October 04, 2026 5:00pm (EDT) - get more information!
- Open House - Sat., October 24, 2026 - get more information!
- Virtual Event - Sun., November 08, 2026 5:00pm (EST) - get more information!
- Open House - Sat., December 05, 2026 - get more information!
- Virtual Event - Tue., January 05, 2027 7:00pm (EST) - get more information!
- Virtual Event - Tue., January 26, 2027 7:00am (EST) - get more information!
- Virtual Event - Tue., February 16, 2027 7:00pm (EST) - get more information!
- ...read more
- Harvest Festival Returns - October 11th, - 04/01/2026On Sunday, October 11, 2026, The Putney School will come together with food, music, crafts, games and good cheer for Harvest Festival, our annual fall celebration. Activities will take place ...morefrom 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., rain or shine, and include a bounce house, face painting, vendors, games and more.Harvest Festival is a tradition that dates back to the school's founding in 1935. hide
- Putney School Receives $2M to establish Norwood Hinkle Faculty Chair in Music - 01/27/2026The Putney School has received a transformative $2 million endowment gift from alumna Carol Stein '61 to establish the Norwood Hinkle Faculty Chair in Music, honoring the legendary educator who ...moreshaped the school's music curriculum for more than three decades. hide
- Putney Post - Alumni News - 11/15/2025In our most recent issue, we explore how Putney's unique mission and fundamental beliefs serve as our north star. They are as resonant today as they were at Putney's founding.
Read ...moremore issues at our website. hide
Top Rankings
The Putney School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 275 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Secondary Immersion Language
Spanish
n/a
Year Founded
1935
1907
Campus Size
600 acres
130 acres
School Motto
Progressive Education for a Sustainable Future
Student Body
Enrollment
220 students
320 students
% Students of Color
25%
27%
% International Students
13%
20%
% Students Boarding
81%
66%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Weekly
Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
7:1
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
73%
73%
Summer Program Details
Accreditations
Tuition & Financial Aid
Endowment Size
$33 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$80,200
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$50,100
$38,700
Summer Program Cost
$9,950
(Cost is for applications received before January 15)
(Cost is for applications received before January 15)
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$23,000
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
60%
64%
Director of Admissions
Patrick Noyes
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
17
Colors
Green and White
School Mascot
Elm Tree
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
17
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Dungeons and Dragons ClubInternational Ambassadors
Literary MagazinePrism
Putney Outdoor ProgramPutney Outreach
Student Weekend Activity PlannersSustainability Squad
Arts and Music Programs:
Mainstage TheaterMainstage Theatre (Fall Play & Spring Musical
Vocal Ensemble
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine Skiing & SnowboardingHorseback Riding
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Smith College
11
Bard College
6
Barnard College
6
University of Vermont
6
Marlboro College
5
Sarah Lawrence College
5
Carnegie Mellon University
4
Dartmouth College
4
Mount Holyoke College
4
Rhode Island School of Design
4
School Notes
- Conventional education is not enough. For you, for us, or for the world. We are an independent private boarding and day school situated in southeastern Vermont that has spent 90 years on the forefront of progressive education. We work to set up students for their own success. And the way we work, works.
- This is a place of constant growth where students find their full selves. Taking control of their education through project and experience-based learning, embracing their creativity on a campus constantly making, leading, and becoming active community members through our work program - Our way of learning can't be found anywhere else.
- The result of a Putney education is a person who is adaptable, resilient, and prepared. Ready to do right by themselves and the world around them.
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Putney School cost?
The Putney School's tuition is approximately $80,200 for boarding students and $50,100 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Putney School?
The acceptance rate of The Putney School is 60%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
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 16 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Ballet, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Equestrian, Mountain Biking, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
Does The Putney School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Putney School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is The Putney School's ranking?
The Putney School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student-teacher ratio.
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 ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
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. . .
Show more reviews (13 reviews)
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The nearest boarding school to The Putney School is Northfield Mount Hermon (22.0 miles away)
School
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Miles
Quick Facts
One Lamplighter Way
Mount Hermon, MA 01354
(413) 498-3227
Mount Hermon, MA 01354
(413) 498-3227
22 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 13 students Acceptance rate: 31% Tuition listed
204 Main Street - P.O. Box 500
Andover, NH 03216
(603) 735-6652
Andover, NH 03216
(603) 735-6652
48.1 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 48% Tuition listed
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
106.5 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 859 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 16% Tuition listed
180 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4050
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4050
75.7 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 1,165 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Avg. class size: 13 students Acceptance rate: 13% Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
One Lamplighter Way
Mount Hermon, MA 01354
((41) 3) -498-3227
Mount Hermon, MA 01354
((41) 3) -498-3227
22 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 13 students Acceptance rate: 31% Tuition listed
18 Lehmann Way, PO Box 522
Dublin, NH 03444
(603) 563-7075
Dublin, NH 03444
(603) 563-7075
25.4 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate: 46% Tuition listed
94 Old Main Street, PO Box 8
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-4209
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-4209
30.5 miles
Gr: 3-9 | K-9 (day) | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
7 Boyden Lane
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-1400
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-1400
31.1 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 13% Tuition listed
7 Campus Center Drive
Meriden, NH 03770
(603) 469-2100
Meriden, NH 03770
(603) 469-2100
32.4 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 28% Tuition listed
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