The Best Private Schools in Fairfax, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fairfax. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Compass School
Independent
The Compass School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students in grades 7-12 from throughout the Franklin County region, including Fairfax. Known for its innovative project-based learning approach, the school emphasizes hands-on, experiential education with strong arts integration and outdoor learning components. The school maintains small class sizes with a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, fostering personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. Their curriculum focuses on developing critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills through interdisciplinary projects and community engagement.
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Rock Point School
Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
Rock Point School is a coeducational Episcopal boarding and day school serving students in grades 9-12, with many day students commuting from throughout northwestern Vermont, including Fairfax. The school is renowned for its supportive, inclusive community and personalized approach to education. With an average class size of 6 students and a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, Rock Point provides intensive academic support and individualized attention. The curriculum emphasizes college preparation while incorporating their 130-acre campus on Lake Champlain for outdoor and environmental education. The school is particularly strong at supporting students who benefit from close-knit, nurturing educational environments.
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Bellows Free Academy - St. Albans
Maple Run Unified School District (Private Academy)
Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans is a historic private academy that serves as the designated high school for several Franklin County towns, including Fairfax. While operating as a public academy for sending towns, it maintains private school characteristics with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. BFA offers robust STEM programs, extensive Advanced Placement course options, competitive athletics, and vibrant arts programs. The school combines traditional academic excellence with modern facilities and has a strong track record of college placements. Many Fairfax families choose BFA for its comprehensive offerings and established reputation in the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fairfax, Vermont
What are the private school options for families residing in Fairfax, VT, and are there any located directly in town?
Fairfax itself is a small town without a private school campus within its immediate borders. However, families in Fairfax have access to several well-regarded independent and independent-town academies in the surrounding Chittenden and Franklin Counties. Notable options include The Compass School in Westminster (approx. 30 min south), a progressive K-8 school; Bellows Free Academy - St. Albans (approx. 25 min north), an independent-town high school that accepts tuition students from outside its designated towns; and Rock Point School in Burlington (approx. 45 min west), a unique boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Many Fairfax families also consider private schools in the greater Burlington area.
How does Vermont's Town Tuitioning Program affect private school options for Fairfax residents?
Vermont's unique Town Tuitioning Program is a critical financial consideration. Fairfax is a "tuitioning town," meaning it does not operate its own public high school. Instead, the town provides a tuition payment for each Fairfax student in grades 9-12 to attend an approved public or independent school. This means families can apply this tuition payment (set annually by the state) toward the cost of an approved private school like Bellows Free Academy - St. Albans or Rock Point School, significantly reducing the out-of-pocket expense. This program does not typically apply to elementary schools, so tuition for a school like The Compass School would be primarily private-pay.
What specialized academic or environmental programs are offered by private schools near Fairfax, VT?
Private schools in the Fairfax region often leverage Vermont's landscape and educational philosophy. The Compass School emphasizes place-based, experiential learning rooted in the local environment and community. Rock Point School, located on a 130-acre peninsula on Lake Champlain, integrates its natural setting into all aspects of its program, focusing on project-based learning and student wellness. Bellows Free Academy - St. Albans offers a more traditional comprehensive high school curriculum with robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways through the nearby Northwest Career and Technical Center. This blend of progressive, environmental, and traditional college-prep models provides distinct choices.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Fairfax, VT, families?
Timelines vary by school. For high schools like Bellows Free Academy - St. Albans (BFA) that accept Town Tuition students, the application deadline for out-of-district tuition students is usually in early to mid-winter (e.g., January/February) for the following fall. The process involves submitting an application, academic records, and often a shadow day. For private independent schools like The Compass School and Rock Point School, admissions are rolling but priority is given to applications submitted by February or March. Given the limited seats and Fairfax's tuitioning situation for high school, initiating inquiries by the fall prior to the desired enrollment year is strongly advised.
For a family in Fairfax, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public elementary school and a private option like The Compass School?
The primary considerations are educational philosophy, cost, and community. Fairfax Elementary School (part of the Maple Run Unified School District) offers a tuition-free, community-centered public education. In contrast, The Compass School offers a progressive, project-based model with smaller class sizes, which comes with a significant tuition cost. Parents should consider their child's learning style, the value they place on a specific pedagogical approach, and their budget. For middle school, this remains a private vs. public choice. The dynamic shifts for high school, where the Town Tuitioning Program makes private/independent options like BFA or Rock Point financially comparable to a public high school in another district.