The Best Private Schools in Westmoreland, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Westmoreland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Dublin School
Independent
Dublin School is a prestigious co-educational boarding and day school located just 15 minutes from Westmoreland. Founded in 1935, this independent school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school features exceptional STEM programs, comprehensive arts education, and competitive athletics. With a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Dublin School provides individualized learning experiences and strong college counseling. The 500-acre campus includes modern academic facilities, art studios, science labs, and extensive athletic facilities. The school is known for its close-knit community and emphasis on character development alongside academic excellence.
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Vermont Academy
Independent
Vermont Academy, located approximately 30 minutes from Westmoreland, is a distinguished independent boarding and day school serving students in grades 9-12. With a history dating back to 1876, the academy offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum including Advanced Placement courses and innovative programs in STEM and arts. The school's 500-acre campus features state-of-the-art academic buildings, science centers, art studios, and extensive athletic facilities. Vermont Academy is particularly noted for its strong ski and snowboard programs, taking advantage of the region's natural environment. The school emphasizes experiential learning and character development while maintaining small class sizes and personalized attention.
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The Putney School
Independent
The Putney School, located about 45 minutes from Westmoreland, is a renowned progressive independent boarding and day school serving grades 9-12. Founded in 1935, Putney offers a unique educational approach that integrates academic rigor with hands-on learning, arts, and environmental stewardship. The school's 500-acre campus includes a working farm where students participate daily, along with modern academic facilities, art studios, and performance spaces. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement. Putney is particularly known for its strong arts programs, environmental science focus, and project-based learning approach. The school maintains small class sizes and a supportive community atmosphere while preparing students for top colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Westmoreland, New Hampshire
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Westmoreland, New Hampshire?
While Westmoreland itself is a small town, it is situated in a region known for several prestigious independent schools. The most prominent options within a reasonable commuting distance include Dublin School (in Dublin, NH, approximately 25 minutes away), Vermont Academy (in Saxtons River, VT, about 30 minutes away), and The Putney School (in Putney, VT, roughly 40 minutes away). These are all private, co-educational boarding and day schools serving grades 9-12, offering a robust college-preparatory curriculum. For younger grades, families often look at day schools in the broader Monadnock Region or Keene area.
How does the tuition for boarding/day schools near Westmoreland, NH, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New Hampshire residents?
Tuition for the top-tier schools in the area is significant, typical of New England boarding schools. For the 2024-2025 academic year, comprehensive boarding tuition ranges from approximately $65,000 to $75,000. Day student tuition is lower, generally between $35,000 and $45,000. All these schools are committed to need-based financial aid and maintain substantial endowment funds to support families. While there are no major state-funded voucher or scholarship programs specifically for New Hampshire private K-12 education, these schools use their own funds to provide aid packages that can make attendance feasible for qualified students from Westmoreland and the surrounding region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by the private schools accessible from Westmoreland, NH?
The schools near Westmoreland are distinguished by their immersive, often experiential, learning environments that leverage the rural New England setting. Dublin School has a strong focus on its Mountain Classroom and outdoor leadership. Vermont Academy emphasizes its "VA Outdoors" program and a personalized "Math & Science Center." The Putney School is renowned for its progressive, hands-on approach, including a working dairy farm and a deep commitment to the arts and sustainability. All three schools offer extensive arts, athletics, and unique January-term or project-based learning opportunities that are hallmarks of the area's educational philosophy.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Dublin School for a Westmoreland-based student?
The process for these selective schools begins well in advance. For fall enrollment, families should start researching in the spring of the student's 7th or 8th-grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), registering for standardized tests (SSAT or ISEE) by early winter, completing applications (due typically between January 15 and February 1), and scheduling interviews and campus visits. Admissions decisions are released in mid-March. Given Westmoreland's location, planning for transportation as a day student is a crucial part of the decision process, and schools can often connect you with local carpool networks.
For a family in Westmoreland, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school, Fall Mountain Regional School District, with the nearby private boarding schools?
The comparison centers on educational approach, resources, and community. Fall Mountain provides a solid, tuition-free public education with a more traditional structure and strong local community ties. The private options offer much smaller class sizes (often 10-12 students), extensive college counseling, specialized facilities (like science labs, art studios, and athletic centers), and a diverse, often international, residential community. For Westmoreland families, the decision often hinges on seeking a highly personalized, immersive college-prep environment with global perspectives versus the community-based, comprehensive experience of the regional public high school. The daily commute to a private day school is also a significant practical factor to weigh.
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