The Best Private Schools in Danville, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Danville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Burke Mountain Academy
Independent College Preparatory School
Burke Mountain Academy, located approximately 25 minutes from Danville in East Burke, is a world-renowned college preparatory school specializing in alpine ski racing and mountain sports education. As the first ski academy in the United States, BMA combines rigorous academic programming with elite athletic training, offering small class sizes, individualized attention, and a supportive residential community. The school serves motivated student-athletes from across the country while also accepting day students from local communities like Danville, providing exceptional college placement and producing numerous Olympic and World Cup athletes.
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St. Johnsbury Academy
Independent School
St. Johnsbury Academy is a renowned independent school located just 15 minutes from Danville, serving as the primary private school option for the Northeast Kingdom region. With over 180 years of educational excellence, the academy offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with 220+ courses including Advanced Placement, extensive arts programs, competitive athletics, and state-of-the-art facilities. The school serves both day students from over 30 surrounding communities including Danville and international boarding students, creating a diverse learning environment with personalized attention and outstanding college placement results.
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Lyndon Institute
Independent School
Located approximately 20 minutes from Danville in Lyndon Center, Lyndon Institute is a comprehensive independent day and boarding school serving grades 9-12. The school combines rigorous academic preparation with extensive career technical education programs, offering over 140 courses including Advanced Placement, hands-on vocational training, competitive athletics, and vibrant arts programs. With a 150+ year history, LI provides a supportive community environment with small class sizes and personalized learning pathways, making it a popular choice for families throughout the Northeast Kingdom region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Danville, Vermont
What are the primary private school options for families living in Danville, Vermont, and are they located directly in town?
While Danville itself is a small town without a large private school campus, families in the area primarily consider several notable independent schools in the surrounding Northeast Kingdom region. The most prominent are St. Johnsbury Academy (in St. Johnsbury, about a 20-minute drive), Lyndon Institute (in Lyndon Center, about a 25-minute drive), and the specialized Burke Mountain Academy (in Burke, about a 30-minute drive). These schools serve as the de facto private options for Danville residents, with St. Johnsbury Academy being a particularly common choice due to its comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs and historical role as a regional academy.
How does the tuition for private schools near Danville, VT, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for day students at schools like St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute is generally below the national private school average but is a significant consideration for Vermont families. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day tuition at these academies ranges from approximately $18,000 to $24,000. Vermont has limited state-funded voucher programs for private schools, so financial aid is primarily offered directly by the schools themselves through need-based grants and scholarships. Both St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute have substantial endowment funds dedicated to financial aid, making them accessible to a broader range of families in Caledonia County. It's critical to apply for financial aid early in the admissions process.
What unique academic or specialized programs are offered by private schools accessible from Danville, VT, that aren't typically found in local public schools?
The private schools in this region offer distinctive programs leveraging Vermont's environment and heritage. St. Johnsbury Academy features a renowned STEM-focused "Wheeler Block" program and extensive advanced placement (AP) course offerings. Lyndon Institute provides strong career and technical education (CTE) pathways in areas like sustainable agriculture, forestry, and automotive technology, directly tied to the local economy. Most uniquely, Burke Mountain Academy is a world-class ski racing academy that combines rigorous college-preparatory academics with elite athletic training, attracting students from across the globe. These specialized options provide Danville-area students with pathways that smaller local public schools may not have the resources to offer.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a private school like St. Johnsbury Academy for a family residing in Danville?
For schools like St. Johnsbury Academy, which is a popular choice for Danville residents, the process begins in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. Key deadlines are often in January or February for the following fall semester. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, and often a student visit and interview. Because these schools draw from a wide geographic area, including international boarding students, it is advisable for local day students to apply by the priority deadline to secure a spot. Rolling admissions may continue into the spring and summer if space allows, but popular grades fill quickly. Open houses are typically held in the autumn, and attending one is highly recommended for Danville families.
For a family in Danville, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public school (Danville School) and a private regional academy?
The decision often centers on program breadth, scale, and specific student goals. Danville School (a public PK-12 school) offers a close-knit, community-based education with small class sizes. In contrast, a private academy like St. Johnsbury Academy provides a much wider array of AP courses, world languages, arts, and athletic teams due to its larger size and resources. Transportation is a practical factor: the Danville School is within the town, while private options require a daily commute. Financially, the public school has no tuition, while private tuition is a major investment, though often offset by financial aid. Families might choose a private academy for specific academic rigor, specialized programs, or a boarding-school environment (even for day students), while others value the continuity and local focus of the town's public system.
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