The Best Private Schools in Burlington, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Burlington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Rock Point School
Independent Episcopal-affiliated school
Rock Point School is a highly-regarded independent boarding and day school serving grades 9-12 with a strong focus on personalized education. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes (average 6:1 student-teacher ratio) and individualized attention. Located on a beautiful 130-acre campus on Lake Champlain, the school emphasizes experiential learning, outdoor education, and character development. Students benefit from extensive arts programs, community service opportunities, and a supportive residential life program. The school is known for its inclusive community and strong track record of college acceptance.
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The Schoolhouse
Independent progressive education
The Schoolhouse is a highly-rated independent school serving students from pre-K through 8th grade with a progressive, project-based approach to education. Located just minutes from downtown Burlington, the school emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and social-emotional development. The curriculum integrates traditional academic subjects with arts, technology, and community engagement. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the school is particularly noted for its strong middle school program that prepares students for competitive high schools. The Schoolhouse has earned recognition for its innovative teaching methods and strong parent satisfaction.
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Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Waldorf Education
Lake Champlain Waldorf School is a well-established independent school serving students from early childhood through high school, located just south of Burlington in Shelburne. As a Waldorf school, it offers a developmentally-appropriate curriculum that integrates academics with arts, music, movement, and practical skills. The school emphasizes holistic education, environmental stewardship, and community values. Students benefit from extensive outdoor education programs, foreign language instruction from early grades, and a strong focus on creative thinking. The high school program prepares students for competitive colleges while maintaining the Waldorf philosophy of educating the whole child.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Burlington, Vermont
What are the distinctive educational philosophies of the top private schools in Burlington, VT, and how do they differ from each other?
Burlington's leading private schools offer diverse pedagogical approaches. Rock Point School is a small, independent boarding and day school focused on experiential, project-based learning and supporting students who may thrive outside a traditional setting. The Schoolhouse, located in nearby South Burlington, emphasizes a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and a strong sense of community. The Lake Champlain Waldorf School, based on Rudolf Steiner's philosophy, integrates arts, movement, and hands-on learning into all academic subjects and emphasizes developmental stages. This variety allows Burlington parents to choose an environment that closely aligns with their child's learning style and their family's educational values.
How does the tuition for private schools in Burlington, VT, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for Burlington-area private day schools generally ranges from approximately $15,000 to $25,000 per year for lower/middle schools, and can be higher for high school or boarding programs. This is somewhat above the Vermont state average for private school tuition, reflecting the higher cost of living in the Chittenden County area. Importantly, most Burlington private schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust financial aid programs. Families are encouraged to apply for aid, which can significantly reduce the cost. Additionally, Vermont has a unique town tuitioning program for some towns without public high schools, but this does not typically apply to Burlington residents. Direct consultation with each school's admissions office is essential for understanding specific aid packages.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Burlington, and are there long waitlists?
The admissions process for Burlington private schools often begins in the fall, with application deadlines between January and February for the following academic year. Key steps include submitting an application, school records, teacher recommendations, and often a student visit or interview. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular early childhood and elementary programs like those at Lake Champlain Waldorf School, waitlists are common. It is highly advisable for parents to begin research and attend open houses a full year in advance. Some schools, like Rock Point School with its rolling admissions for boarding students, may have more flexibility, but planning ahead is the best strategy for securing a spot in Burlington's sought-after private schools.
How do Burlington private schools leverage the local Vermont environment and community in their academic and extracurricular programs?
Burlington private schools deeply integrate the local landscape and community into their curricula. This can include outdoor education utilizing the Lake Champlain waterfront, the Green Mountains, and local farms for science, ecology, and physical education. Schools often partner with University of Vermont (UVM) professors, local artists, and tech startups for specialized programs. The Schoolhouse might emphasize Vermont's civic engagement, while Lake Champlain Waldorf School incorporates seasonal festivals and gardening. Rock Point School uses its 130-acre lakeside campus for environmental studies and outdoor leadership. This connection to place fosters environmental stewardship, practical skills, and a strong sense of community involvement unique to the Burlington area.
For families considering both options, what are the key factors when comparing the Burlington School District's public schools to the city's private school offerings?
The decision often hinges on class size, specialized programming, and educational philosophy. Burlington public schools offer diverse, tuition-free education with specific magnet schools (like the Sustainability Academy) and are accountable to state standards. Private schools offer much smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students), distinct pedagogical missions (e.g., Waldorf, progressive), and can provide more tailored support. A practical consideration is that some Burlington private schools (e.g., Rock Point, Waldorf high school) are located just outside the city in neighboring towns, potentially involving a commute. Parents should assess their child's need for a specific learning environment against the cost, while also considering the vibrant diversity and resources of the larger BSD system. Visiting both types of schools is crucial for a Burlington-specific comparison.
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