The Best Private Schools in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in North Ferrisburgh. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
The Lake Champlain Waldorf School is a highly regarded independent school offering education from early childhood through high school. It emphasizes holistic development, creativity, and hands-on learning through its Waldorf curriculum. The school is known for its strong arts integration, environmental stewardship programs, and dedicated faculty. Located just minutes from North Ferrisburgh, it serves students from across Chittenden County with a focus on nurturing individual potential and community engagement.
Programs:
The Vermont Commons School
Independent
The Vermont Commons School is an independent middle and high school renowned for its innovative, student-centered approach to education. It features project-based learning, a strong STEM curriculum, and college preparatory programs that emphasize critical thinking and real-world applications. The school boasts small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a vibrant community that draws students from North Ferrisburgh and surrounding areas. Extracurriculars include outdoor education, arts, and leadership opportunities.
Programs:
The Burlington School
Independent
The Burlington School is a premier private institution offering pre-K through 12th grade education with an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It provides a rigorous academic environment combined with extensive arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The school is celebrated for its diverse community, global citizenship focus, and modern facilities. Serving families from North Ferrisburgh and the greater Burlington area, it maintains high parent satisfaction through personalized learning and a commitment to student success.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in North Ferrisburgh, VT, and what are their general educational approaches?
While North Ferrisburgh itself is a small, rural town, families have access to several notable private schools in the broader Chittenden County area. The most prominent options include The Lake Champlain Waldorf School (located in nearby Shelburne), which emphasizes holistic, arts-integrated education based on Rudolf Steiner's philosophy; The Vermont Commons School (in South Burlington), known for its project-based learning and focus on global citizenship and sustainability; and The Burlington School (in Burlington), offering a rigorous college-preparatory program from pre-K through 12th grade. Given North Ferrisburgh's location, most families should anticipate a commute of 20-40 minutes to these schools, making transportation planning a key consideration.
How does Vermont's Town Tuitioning Program affect private school options for North Ferrisburgh residents, and what are the typical tuition ranges?
Vermont's unique Town Tuitioning Program allows towns without public high schools (or sometimes elementary schools) to pay tuition for students to attend approved public or private schools. North Ferrisburgh operates its own elementary school but tuition is provided for grades 7-12. However, this tuition is typically paid to designated public schools or specific approved private academies. The top local private schools like Waldorf, Vermont Commons, and The Burlington School are generally independent and not part of this tuitioning program, meaning families pay full tuition. For these schools, annual tuition ranges significantly, from approximately $15,000 to over $30,000 depending on the grade level and school. Financial aid and scholarships are available at each institution, and Vermont also has a K-12 education tax incentive that can provide some state tax benefits for private school expenses.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from North Ferrisburgh that leverage Vermont's unique environment?
Private schools in this region deeply integrate Vermont's landscape and values into their curricula. The Lake Champlain Waldorf School has a strong outdoor education program, with gardening, farming, and nature immersion tied to its campus near the lake and mountains. The Vermont Commons School is distinguished by its "Commons" curriculum, focusing on environmental science, social justice, and hands-on local projects—students might study Lake Champlain's ecology or engage with Vermont's sustainable agriculture community. The Burlington School offers advanced STEM programs but also emphasizes outdoor leadership and environmental stewardship. All schools take advantage of proximity to Lake Champlain for science studies and the Green Mountains for outdoor activities, making the Vermont environment a central classroom.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the North Ferrisburgh, VT area, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment process for schools like The Lake Champlain Waldorf School, The Vermont Commons School, and The Burlington School generally begins in the fall, a full year before desired entry. Key steps include open houses (often held September-November), submitting applications by January or February, and student visits/interviews. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain. Admission competitiveness varies: The Burlington School, as a pre-K-12 college-prep school, can be selective, especially in middle and upper grades. Waldorf and Vermont Commons, being smaller and mission-focused, seek families aligned with their educational philosophies. For North Ferrisburgh families, applying early is crucial, as some schools give consideration to siblings and legacy families. It's also important to inquire about transportation options during the process, as bus service from North Ferrisburgh may be limited or require private arrangements.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near North Ferrisburgh compare to the local public school system?
The private schools accessible to North Ferrisburgh families offer significantly smaller class sizes and distinct community environments compared to the larger regional public school districts. For example, classes at The Vermont Commons School often have 12-15 students, fostering close student-teacher relationships. The Lake Champlain Waldorf School maintains mixed-age classrooms with a strong, family-like cohort model. In contrast, public middle and high school students from North Ferrisburgh typically attend larger regional schools like Vergennes Union High School. The private school communities are often built around specific educational philosophies, attracting families with shared values, which can create a tight-knit feel. However, the public system offers broader extracurricular offerings and no tuition. The choice often comes down to prioritizing a specific pedagogical approach and small-scale community versus the comprehensive programs and cost savings of the public pathway.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities