The Best Private Schools in Cambridge, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Cambridge. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Stowe Mountain School
Stowe Mountain School
Stowe Mountain School is a highly regarded independent private school located just minutes from Cambridge, offering a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with outdoor and experiential learning. Known for its small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong college placement record, the school emphasizes character development and environmental stewardship. It serves students in grades 6-12 with programs that include advanced STEM courses, visual and performing arts, and extensive outdoor activities, making it a top choice for families in the Lamoille County region.
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The Vermont Commons School
The Vermont Commons School
The Vermont Commons School is an independent private school in South Burlington, serving the broader Cambridge area with a focus on innovative, project-based education. It offers a diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, community engagement, and sustainability, with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school is known for its strong academic outcomes, extensive extracurricular programs, and a supportive environment that fosters student growth and global awareness, making it a popular option for families seeking a progressive education.
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The Burlington School
The Burlington School
The Burlington School is a well-established private school in Burlington, serving students from Cambridge and the surrounding region with a nurturing and academically rigorous environment. It emphasizes individualized learning, arts integration, and technology, offering a comprehensive curriculum from preschool through eighth grade. With a strong focus on community engagement and parent satisfaction, the school features dedicated teachers, modern facilities, and a range of extracurricular activities, ensuring a well-rounded education for its students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Cambridge, Vermont
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Cambridge, VT, given that the top-named schools are in other towns?
While Cambridge, VT, itself is a small town without a major private school campus, families commonly consider schools within a reasonable commute. The closest and most frequently considered options include Stowe Mountain School in Stowe (approximately 30 minutes away), The Vermont Commons School in South Burlington (~45-60 minutes), and The Burlington School in Burlington (~45-60 minutes). It's important for Cambridge parents to factor in the daily commute, especially during Vermont winters. Some families also explore smaller, local independent programs or homeschooling cooperatives in the Lamoille County area as alternatives.
How does tuition at private schools near Cambridge, VT, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are uniquely available in Vermont?
Tuition for the schools accessible to Cambridge families ranges significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect approximately $20,000 - $35,000+ for day schools, with boarding options at Stowe Mountain School being higher. Vermont has unique state-supported financial aid programs like the "Vermont Independent Schools Tuition Payment Program" for towns without public high schools, but Cambridge is not one of these designated towns. However, all major private schools offer robust need-based financial aid. Additionally, Vermont's Act 166 provides universal public pre-K funding that can sometimes be used at qualified private preschools, potentially offsetting early education costs.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Cambridge, VT, offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region deeply integrate Vermont's landscape and ethos into their curricula. Stowe Mountain School prominently features mountain sports and environmental science, with direct access to ski and mountain bike training. The Vermont Commons School has a strong focus on global citizenship and sustainability, often using the Lake Champlain basin and local farms as living laboratories. The Burlington School emphasizes project-based learning with community partnerships in the greater Burlington area. Common threads include outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and experiential learning that takes advantage of Vermont's rural character, which is a significant draw for Cambridge families seeking this connection.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Burlington/Stowe area for a Cambridge resident?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For fall admission, most schools have application deadlines between January and February, with decisions released in March. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (often in the fall), 2) Submitting an application with essays and recommendations, 3) Student visits and interviews (scheduled in winter), and 4) Completing financial aid applications (like SSS) by February deadlines. For Cambridge families, planning for the commute is a critical part of the interview and visit process. We recommend initiating contact with admissions offices 12-18 months before desired enrollment, especially for middle or high school entry.
For a Cambridge, VT family, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school, Cambridge Elementary School and Lamoille Union Middle/High School, with the private school options?
The decision hinges on several local factors. Cambridge public schools are part of the Lamoille South Supervisory Union, offering a traditional, community-centered K-12 pathway with no tuition. Private options offer smaller class sizes, specialized curricula (like college-prep or outdoor focus), and often more extensive arts or language programs. A major practical consideration is the commute: public school involves local busing, while private school requires a significant daily drive to Stowe or Burlington. Financially, private tuition is a substantial investment versus tax-supported public education. Many Cambridge families value the strong local community in public schools but may seek private options for specific academic approaches or before/after-school care structures not as readily available locally.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Schools Near Cambridge, Vermont: A Parent's Guide
When you find yourself searching for the "best private schools near me" from your home in Cambridge, Vermont, you are embarking on a journey that is deeply personal and profoundly important for your family. Cambridge, with its tight-knit community and stunning natural backdrop, offers a unique lifestyle, and the choice of a private school is an extension of that value system. It’s about finding an educational environment that aligns with your child’s needs and your family’s aspirations, often looking beyond town lines to the broader region for the right fit. Fortunately, the area around Cambridge is home to several exceptional private institutions, each with a distinct character, that are well within a reasonable commute.
One standout option is the Stowe Mountain School, located just a short drive away in Stowe. This school offers a remarkable model that seamlessly integrates rigorous college-preparatory academics with a world-class mountain sports program. For the active family who values discipline, outdoor education, and a tight community bound by a passion for the environment and athletics, this school presents a compelling choice. It exemplifies how private education in Vermont can leverage our unique geography to foster resilience, time management, and profound personal growth. Another excellent consideration is The Vermont Commons School in South Burlington. Its focus on global citizenship, sustainability, and project-based learning resonates with families seeking an education that is both intellectually engaging and socially conscious. The commute from Cambridge is manageable, and the school’s ethos often aligns with parents who want their children to understand their role in a larger world, connecting local Vermont values to global issues.
For families considering a slightly longer drive into Burlington, The Burlington School offers a continuous, progressive education from preschool through twelfth grade. This school is known for its innovative curriculum, strong arts programs, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. It provides a vibrant, urban educational setting that can be a wonderful contrast and expansion for a student from Cambridge, offering resources and opportunities typical of a larger city while maintaining a supportive, close-knit feel. As you evaluate these options, consider the daily rhythm of your family. The drive from Cambridge to these schools winds through some of Vermont’s most beautiful landscapes, which can become a part of your child’s educational experience—time for conversation, reflection, or simply appreciating the changing seasons.
Ultimately, the search for the best private schools near you in Cambridge is less about finding a top-ranked list and more about discovering the right environment where your child will thrive. We encourage you to visit, ask detailed questions about classroom culture, and observe how students interact. Speak with other Cambridge families who have made the journey; their insights into the commute, community integration, and their child’s happiness are invaluable. The investment in a private education here is an investment in a philosophy of learning, a community, and a future that honors both the individuality of your child and the distinctive spirit of our Vermont home.
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