The Best Private Schools in Campton, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Campton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Holderness School
Independent School
Holderness School is a highly respected co-educational boarding and day school located just 15 minutes from Campton. Founded in 1879, this prestigious institution offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school emphasizes character development through its unique outdoor education program, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletics. With a beautiful 600-acre campus featuring state-of-the-art facilities including modern academic buildings, art studios, athletic complexes, and outdoor adventure resources, Holderness provides a comprehensive educational experience. The school maintains a strong college placement record and is known for its dedicated faculty and inclusive community atmosphere.
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The White Mountain School
Independent School
Located approximately 30 minutes from Campton in Bethlehem, The White Mountain School is a distinguished college preparatory school serving day and boarding students. Founded in 1886, the school combines rigorous academics with a unique focus on environmental stewardship and outdoor leadership. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, experiential learning, and character development through programs like field courses, mountain adventures, and community engagement. The campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, art studios, and extensive outdoor spaces for environmental studies. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school prepares students for top colleges while fostering environmental responsibility and leadership skills.
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New Hampton School
Independent School
New Hampton School, located about 25 minutes from Campton, is one of New England's oldest and most respected independent schools. Founded in 1821, this co-educational boarding and day school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with advanced placement courses and innovative learning initiatives. The school features a beautiful 350-acre campus with modern academic buildings, science and technology centers, performing arts facilities, and extensive athletic complexes. New Hampton is particularly known for its strong arts programs, competitive athletics, and global education opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, ensuring personalized attention and strong student-faculty relationships that contribute to excellent college placement outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Campton, New Hampshire
What are the primary private school options for families living in or near Campton, New Hampshire?
Campton itself is a small town, but it is situated in a region renowned for its prestigious independent boarding and day schools. The top private schools proximate to Campton include **Holderness School** (in Plymouth, ~10 minutes away), **The White Mountain School** (in Bethlehem, ~30 minutes away), and **New Hampton School** (in New Hampton, ~40 minutes away). These are all college-preparatory schools with strong academic, arts, and athletic programs. For younger students, there are also smaller local private academies and parochial schools in surrounding towns. Most families in Campton looking for private education consider these regional boarding schools, many of which have robust day student programs.
How does the tuition for private schools near Campton, NH, compare to the state average, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at the premier schools near Campton (Holderness, White Mountain, New Hampton) is generally above the New Hampshire private school average due to their boarding nature and extensive facilities. For the 2024-25 academic year, full boarding tuition ranges from approximately $65,000 to $75,000, while day student tuition is typically between $35,000 and $45,000. However, these schools are committed to accessibility and offer substantial need-based financial aid. It is common for 30-40% of the student body to receive aid, with packages that can significantly reduce the cost. Families in Campton should apply for aid through the **School and Student Services (SSS)** platform and are also encouraged to inquire about merit scholarships, which some schools offer for specific talents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Campton, NH, area offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Campton region uniquely integrate the natural landscape of the White Mountains and Lakes Region into their curricula. **The White Mountain School** has a renowned "Field Course" program where students engage in week-long, interdisciplinary learning expeditions. **Holderness School** features a mandatory outdoor program, including skiing, rock climbing, and mountain biking, deeply connected to its ethos. **New Hampton School** offers innovative programs like its "Husky Innovation Lab" for hands-on STEM projects, often with an environmental focus. All these schools utilize nearby resources like the Pemigewasset River, Franconia Notch, and local ski areas for science, leadership, and wellness programs, providing an education deeply rooted in the New Hampshire environment.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for day students applying to schools like Holderness or White Mountain from Campton?
The enrollment process for day students in Campton follows the standard independent school timeline but requires planning due to competitive admission. The key steps are: 1) **Fall (Year Prior)**: Attend open houses and virtual tours. 2) **December-January**: Complete applications (SAO or Gateway), which include essays, recommendations, and transcripts. 3) **January-February**: Schedule student interviews and visits, which are crucial. 4) **February/March**: Admission decisions and financial aid awards are released. 5) **April 10th**: Common Reply Date for boarding schools. For Campton families, it's vital to initiate contact early, as day student spots at these popular schools are limited. Some schools also have rolling admission for day students if spaces remain after the main round.
For a family in Campton, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Plymouth Regional High School) and a nearby private school?
The decision hinges on several Campton-specific factors. **Plymouth Regional High School** offers a solid, tuition-free education with strong AP offerings and local community integration. In contrast, private schools like Holderness provide a lower student-to-teacher ratio (often 5:1 or 6:1), extensive college counseling, and specialized facilities (e.g., robotics labs, art studios). The private option often involves a significant commute (10-40 minutes) and cost but may offer a more tailored, immersive preparatory experience with a diverse, often international, student body. Families should consider their child's need for individualized attention, interest in specialized programs (e.g., elite athletics, outdoor leadership), and the value they place on a residential-style community day environment versus a traditional public school setting in the heart of the Lakes Region.
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