The Best Private Schools in Middlebury, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Middlebury. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Waldorf Education
Lake Champlain Waldorf School provides a holistic, developmentally appropriate education based on Rudolf Steiner's principles, serving families from Middlebury and the Champlain Valley. The school fosters creativity, intellectual growth, and social responsibility through an integrated curriculum that includes hands-on arts, music, and outdoor activities. With a focus on nurturing the whole child, it features dedicated teachers, beautiful campus facilities, and a strong sense of community, leading to high parent and student satisfaction.
Programs:
The Sharon Academy
Independent
The Sharon Academy is a highly regarded independent secondary school serving students from Middlebury and the broader Upper Valley region. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum, the school emphasizes critical thinking, personalized learning, and community engagement. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, it offers a robust arts program, competitive athletics, and outdoor education opportunities. Parents consistently praise its supportive environment and strong college preparation, contributing to its high satisfaction ratings.
Programs:
Vermont Commons School
Independent
Vermont Commons School is an independent middle and high school that attracts students from Middlebury due to its innovative, experiential learning approach. The school emphasizes project-based education, environmental sustainability, and global awareness, preparing students for future challenges through collaborative and inquiry-driven programs. With a commitment to small class sizes, individualized attention, and a diverse extracurricular offerings, it has built a reputation for academic excellence and strong community involvement, reflected in its positive parent reviews.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Middlebury, Vermont
What are the primary private school options serving families in Middlebury, Vermont, and what are their educational philosophies?
While Middlebury itself is home to Middlebury Union Middle/High School (a public school), the surrounding Addison County area offers several notable private options. The most prominent include The Sharon Academy (in Sharon, about 15 minutes away), which emphasizes a progressive, project-based learning community for grades 7-12; the Lake Champlain Waldorf School (in Shelburne, about 35 minutes north), offering a Waldorf education from early childhood through 8th grade; and the Vermont Commons School (in South Burlington, about 45 minutes north), a 6-12 school focused on "scholarship, community, and global stewardship." Many Middlebury families consider these schools for their distinct pedagogical approaches not typically found in the local public system.
How does tuition at private schools near Middlebury, VT, compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for day schools in the Middlebury area varies significantly by grade level and school. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $15,000 to $25,000+ for grades 6-12. Vermont has a unique tuitioning system for some towns, but Middlebury is not a tuitioning town, meaning families are responsible for full private tuition. However, all major private schools in the region have robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. It's crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission. Additionally, Vermont's Act 166 provides universal public funding for pre-K programs, which some private preschools, like the Lake Champlain Waldorf School's early childhood program, can accept, offsetting costs for those years.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Middlebury offer that leverage the local Vermont environment?
Schools in this region deeply integrate Vermont's landscape and community ethos into their curricula. The Sharon Academy has a strong focus on sustainability and outdoor education, with local field studies and a farm-to-school program. The Lake Champlain Waldorf School incorporates farming, gardening, and woodworking into daily learning, emphasizing hands-on, nature-based education. Vermont Commons School in South Burlington has a renowned "Commons Term" where students engage in intensive, week-long projects often involving environmental science, local agriculture, or community service in the Champlain Valley. These programs provide experiential learning that is distinctly rooted in the ecology and culture of Vermont.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Middlebury, VT, families?
The admission process for schools like The Sharon Academy, Lake Champlain Waldorf, and Vermont Commons School generally begins in the fall, with application deadlines between January and February for the following academic year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held in fall and early winter), submitting an application with essays and teacher recommendations, a student visit/interview day, and a financial aid application if needed. Decisions are typically released in March. Due to the smaller size of these schools and limited spaces, especially in middle school entry grades, starting the process early is highly recommended. Many schools also welcome inquiries for mid-year enrollment, depending on availability.
For a family in Middlebury, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation and community when choosing a private school outside the town?
Choosing a private school often involves a significant commute, as the closest options are 15-45 minutes from Middlebury. Most families carpool, and some schools, like The Sharon Academy, may organize van pools from specific areas. It's important to consider the impact of drive time on extracurricular participation and daily routines. On the community side, these schools draw students from a wide geographic area, so your child's peer group will be regionally diverse rather than neighborhood-based. This can be a benefit, fostering broader connections, but requires intentional effort to build social networks outside of school. Many families find the unique educational community worth the logistical planning.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities