The Best Private Schools in Essex Junction, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Essex Junction. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Vermont Commons School
Independent
Vermont Commons School is a highly-regarded independent middle and high school serving the greater Burlington area, including Essex Junction. The school emphasizes project-based learning, environmental stewardship, and global citizenship. With small class sizes averaging 12 students, the school offers personalized attention and a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Notable programs include wilderness expeditions, international travel opportunities, and community-based learning projects. The school consistently sends graduates to top-tier colleges and universities.
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Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Waldorf Education
The Lake Champlain Waldorf School offers a comprehensive Waldorf education from early childhood through high school, serving families throughout Chittenden County including Essex Junction. The school's holistic approach integrates academics, arts, and practical skills while emphasizing developmental appropriateness. Facilities include beautiful campus grounds, dedicated art studios, and extensive outdoor learning spaces. The high school program features college preparatory academics with strong emphasis on ethical leadership, environmental science, and community engagement.
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Rock Point School
Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
Rock Point School is a coeducational boarding and day school located on a beautiful 130-acre campus overlooking Lake Champlain. While offering boarding options, the school serves day students from Essex Junction and surrounding communities. The school specializes in working with students who benefit from small class sizes (5:1 student-teacher ratio) and personalized attention. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, environmental education, and college preparation. Unique features include wilderness programming, community living emphasis, and a supportive environment that helps students develop confidence and academic skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Essex Junction, Vermont
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Essex Junction, Vermont, and what are their educational philosophies?
Essex Junction, VT, is served by several notable private schools, though many are located in nearby Burlington and the surrounding Chittenden County. The top schools often considered by Essex Junction families include Vermont Commons School (in South Burlington), which emphasizes global citizenship and project-based learning; Lake Champlain Waldorf School (in Shelburne), which follows the Waldorf educational model focusing on artistic expression and developmental stages; and Rock Point School (in Burlington), a small, supportive boarding and day school known for helping students who may thrive in a more personalized setting. While Essex Junction itself has a strong public school system, these private options provide distinct pedagogical alternatives within a reasonable commute.
How does tuition for private schools in the Essex Junction, VT, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Essex Junction/Chittenden County area varies significantly by school and grade level, generally ranging from approximately $15,000 to $30,000+ per year for day students. This is broadly in line with or slightly above Vermont's private school averages, reflecting the region's cost of living. Importantly, Vermont has a unique tuitioning system for towns without public high schools, but Essex Junction is not one of these towns, so public funds are not directed to private choice. However, most schools, like Vermont Commons and Lake Champlain Waldorf, offer robust need-based financial aid and scholarship programs. Additionally, Vermont's Act 166 provides universal public pre-K funding that can be used at qualified private preschools, which is a key consideration for younger children.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Essex Junction offer that differentiate them from the local public schools?
Private schools in the Essex Junction vicinity often leverage Vermont's landscape and community ethos to create unique programs. For example, Vermont Commons School integrates environmental stewardship and "place-based" learning into its curriculum, with frequent outdoor and community engagement projects. The Lake Champlain Waldorf School offers specialized arts, music, and handwork programs woven into daily learning, along with a strong outdoor education component. Rock Point School utilizes its 130-acre campus on Lake Champlain for experiential learning and environmental science. These schools typically offer smaller class sizes and more individualized attention than the larger Essex Junction public schools, allowing for tailored learning paths that may not be as feasible in a larger district setting.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Essex Junction, VT, and are there key dates parents should know?
The enrollment process for private schools in this region often begins in the fall, a full year before desired entry. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (usually held September-November). 2) Submitting applications by January or February deadlines for the following fall. 3) Completing student visits/interviews and submitting records. 4) Receiving admissions decisions in March. 5) Securing a spot with a deposit by April. It's crucial to apply early, as spaces, particularly in lower grades, can be limited. Some schools, like Lake Champlain Waldorf, may have waiting pools. We recommend contacting admissions offices at schools like Vermont Commons or Rock Point directly in the early fall to get specific dates and understand if they offer rolling admissions for certain grades.
For families in Essex Junction, what are the main considerations when choosing between the highly-rated Essex Junction public schools and area private schools?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific student needs. The Essex Junction School District (part of the Essex Westford School District) is consistently highly rated, offering robust academics, athletics, and arts at no direct tuition cost. Choosing a private school often involves seeking a specific pedagogical approach (e.g., Waldorf or progressive project-based learning), a much smaller student-to-teacher ratio for more personalized attention, or a different social-emotional environment. For students who may not thrive in a larger setting, schools like Rock Point provide an alternative. The trade-off involves cost, commute to schools mostly located outside Essex Junction, and potentially fewer extensive extracurricular offerings compared to the large public district. Many families visit both types to feel the distinct community cultures.