The Best Private Schools in Concord, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Concord. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Sharon Academy
Independent
The Sharon Academy is a highly regarded independent day school serving grades 7-12, known for its rigorous academic curriculum and small class sizes that foster personalized learning. It emphasizes arts integration, outdoor education, and community engagement, with a strong focus on college preparation. The school offers diverse extracurricular activities, including sports, theater, and environmental clubs, and is praised for its dedicated faculty and high parent satisfaction rates. Its location in the Upper Valley region allows it to serve students from Concord and surrounding areas.
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The Mountain School at Winhall
Independent
The Mountain School at Winhall is a private K-12 school offering a Montessori-based education with a strong emphasis on experiential and outdoor learning. It features small class sizes, individualized instruction, and a curriculum that integrates STEM subjects with hands-on activities. The school is recognized for its supportive community, modern facilities, and commitment to developing well-rounded students through arts, athletics, and environmental stewardship. It serves families in the Southern Vermont region, including Concord, and has a track record of high academic achievement and parent approval.
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The Greenwood School
Independent
The Greenwood School is a private boarding and day school for boys with learning differences, providing a nurturing and structured environment tailored to individual needs. It offers specialized academic programs, therapeutic support, and a focus on building confidence through arts, technology, and outdoor activities. With small class sizes and experienced faculty, the school has a strong reputation for helping students achieve academic and personal success. It serves students from Concord and across Vermont, with a commitment to inclusivity and high parent satisfaction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Concord, Vermont
What are the private school options for families living in Concord, Vermont, and are there any schools directly in town?
Concord, Vermont, itself is a small, rural town without a private school campus within its immediate borders. However, families in Concord have access to several highly-regarded independent schools within a reasonable commuting distance. Notable options include The Greenwood School (approximately 30 minutes away in Putney), which specializes in educating boys with learning differences, and The Sharon Academy (about 45 minutes away in Sharon), a 7-12 grade day school known for its project-based learning and strong community. The Mountain School at Winhall (in Bondville) is another option, though a longer commute. Many Concord families also consider schools in the Littleton, NH, or St. Johnsbury, VT, areas. Transportation is typically the family's responsibility, which is an important logistical consideration in this region.
How does tuition at Vermont private schools near Concord compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for private day schools in the region surrounding Concord, VT, typically ranges from approximately $20,000 to $40,000+ per year, with boarding schools being significantly higher. Vermont has a unique school choice program, but it's crucial to know that the "Town Tuitioning" program does not apply to Concord, as the town operates its own public elementary and middle/high school (through the Concord School District). Therefore, families are not eligible for state tuition vouchers to use at private schools. However, all major private schools offer need-based financial aid. Parents should apply for aid directly through the school using the SSS (School and Student Services) form. Some schools also offer merit scholarships. It's essential to factor in commuting costs when calculating the total expense.
What unique academic or specialty programs are offered by private schools accessible from Concord, VT, that differ from the local public school?
The private schools near Concord often provide specialized educational approaches not typically found in a small public school district. For example, The Greenwood School offers a deeply tailored program for dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, with a 1:3 student-to-teacher ratio and Orton-Gillingham based instruction. The Sharon Academy emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning with a focus on sustainability and civic engagement, including intensive "Winterim" projects. These schools often have smaller overall class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention. In contrast, Concord's public schools provide a solid standard curriculum but with fewer resources for specialized, alternative pedagogies or intensive learning support.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Concord, VT, area?
The admissions process for schools like The Sharon Academy or The Greenwood School generally begins in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses or virtual tours (often held October-January). 2) Submitting an application by January or February for the following fall. 3) Providing student records, teacher recommendations, and often a personal essay. 4) Scheduling a student visit/interview and sometimes a shadow day. 5) Completing financial aid applications concurrently. Admission decisions and aid awards are typically communicated in March. For families in Concord, starting early is critical due to the limited seats available and the need to plan for transportation logistics. Some schools have rolling admission if spaces remain.
What are the key considerations for a Concord family when choosing between the local public school and a private school a significant drive away?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. First, evaluate the commute: a 30-60 minute drive each way, often on rural roads, impacts family time, extracurricular participation, and costs. Second, assess the child's needs: Concord School District offers a close-knit, community-based K-12 education. If a child needs a specialized program (like for learning differences) or a different pedagogical approach (highly experiential), the commute to a private school may be justified. Third, consider social integration: attending school outside the town can affect a child's local peer connections. Finally, weigh the financial reality: without Vermont town tuitioning aid, the full cost of private tuition plus transportation must be compared to the free public option. Visiting both the Concord school and the private campuses is essential.
Private Education Insights
Discover Concord's Top Private Primary Schools: A Parent's Guide
When you begin searching for "private primary schools near me" from your home in Concord, Vermont, you are embarking on a journey that is deeply rooted in the character of this beautiful region. The quest is about more than just proximity; it’s about finding an educational environment that aligns with the values of community, nature, and individualized growth that many families cherish here in the Northeast Kingdom. While Concord itself is a small, tight-knit town, the surrounding area offers a few exceptional private primary schools, each with a distinct philosophy that caters to different aspects of a child’s development.
One of the most well-regarded options within a reasonable drive is The Sharon Academy, though its middle and high school programs are often highlighted, its educational ethos of project-based, student-centered learning is a compelling model to consider for younger grades. It speaks to a style of education that fosters curiosity and critical thinking, qualities that resonate with Vermont’s independent spirit. Closer to the mountains, The Mountain School at Winhall provides a unique, nature-immersive experience. For families in Concord who prioritize outdoor education and environmental stewardship, this school integrates the stunning Vermont landscape directly into its curriculum, teaching children not just from books, but from the forests and streams that surround them. This approach can be particularly appealing for nurturing resilience and a deep connection to the local environment.
Perhaps the most specialized option near Concord is The Greenwood School in Putney. Greenwood is renowned for its focused mission of educating boys with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. For families whose children learn differently, discovering Greenwood can be transformative. It offers a highly structured, multisensory approach in a supportive residential setting, providing tools for academic success and building profound self-confidence. This underscores a vital point in your search: understanding your child’s unique learning profile is as important as the school’s reputation.
Your search for "private primary schools near me" in this part of Vermont will inherently involve embracing a commute. The rural nature of our area means that the perfect fit might be a 30 to 45-minute drive through scenic roads. This is a common consideration for Concord families and often becomes part of the routine, with carpooling becoming a new community-building exercise. When evaluating schools, we encourage you to look beyond the brochures and visit. Feel the atmosphere, talk to teachers, and observe the students. Ask about how the school engages with the local Concord community, perhaps through service projects or cultural exchanges. Inquire about their approach to the long Vermont winters—do they see them as a barrier or an opportunity for outdoor learning? The right school will feel like an extension of your family’s values, offering a nurturing yet challenging environment where your child can thrive academically, socially, and personally amidst the unique backdrop of rural Vermont life.
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