The Best Private Schools in Wells, Vermont
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Wells. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Long Trail School
Independent
Long Trail School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving southern Vermont communities including Wells. The school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention. Students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum including 15+ Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs in visual arts, theater, and music, and competitive athletic teams. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The school emphasizes character development and community engagement, with a strong track record of college placements at selective institutions.
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Burr and Burton Academy
Independent
Burr and Burton Academy is one of Vermont's premier independent secondary schools, serving students from multiple towns including Wells through its tuition program. The school offers a diverse academic program with over 150 courses, including Advanced Placement, honors, and specialized programs in business, technology, and health sciences. The 30-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including a performing arts center, athletic complex, and modern classrooms. With a strong emphasis on both academic excellence and character development, Burr and Burton provides extensive extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and community service.
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Christ the King School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
Christ the King School provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving families throughout Rutland County and surrounding areas, including Wells. The school offers a strong academic foundation integrated with faith-based values and character education. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, science, literacy programs, and technology integration. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and the school maintains modern facilities including computer labs, library resources, and dedicated spaces for art and music. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and supportive environment that fosters both academic achievement and spiritual growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Wells, Vermont
What are the realistic private school options for a family residing in Wells, Vermont, given that the top-named schools are in neighboring towns?
While Wells itself is a small town without a private school within its borders, families commonly consider schools in the surrounding region. The most accessible options include Long Trail School in Dorset (a Pre-K-12 independent, college-preparatory school), Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester (a renowned independent high school serving a consortium of towns), and Christ the King School in Rutland (a Catholic Pre-K-8 school). For Wells residents, Burr and Burton is a particularly significant option as it serves as the designated independent high school for several area towns, potentially offering a tuition arrangement. Transportation to these schools is typically the family's responsibility.
How does the tuition structure for Burr and Burton Academy work for a student from Wells, Vermont?
Burr and Burton Academy (BBA) operates under a unique "tuition town" system. Wells is one of the sending towns that has a contractual agreement with BBA. This means that for Wells residents, the town pays a tuition voucher to BBA, similar to how it would fund a public high school. Families are responsible for a "tuition differential," which is the difference between the full tuition rate and the voucher amount. This differential is significantly lower than the full private school tuition, making BBA a more accessible private option. The exact differential amount changes annually, so contacting BBA's admissions office is essential for current figures.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Wells, VT, offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools in this region of Vermont often integrate the natural landscape and local culture into their programs. Long Trail School emphasizes environmental science and sustainability, with outdoor education and field studies in the Green Mountains. Burr and Burton Academy features a prestigious Mountain Campus at the former Merck Forest for immersive environmental study. Both schools also have strong arts programs that connect with the vibrant artistic communities of Manchester and Dorset. For families in Wells, this means access to private education that deeply values experiential learning and Vermont's rural character.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for a kindergarten student at Long Trail School or Christ the King School for a family from Wells?
For both schools, planning well in advance is key. Long Trail School (Dorset) typically begins its application process in the fall for the following academic year, with a deadline in early winter. The process includes a parent interview, student visit/assessment, and submission of recommendations. Christ the King School (Rutland) also has a rolling admissions process but encourages applications by early spring. As neither school provides district transportation from Wells, securing your child's spot early allows time to coordinate carpools or other travel arrangements. It's highly recommended to attend open houses, often held in the fall, to understand each school's culture and logistics.
How do the private school options near Wells, VT, compare to the public Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School in terms of class size and curriculum flexibility?
The public Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School serves Wells for grades K-8 and offers a solid, standardized education. The primary differentiators with nearby private options are scale and specialization. Private schools like Long Trail (Pre-K-12) and Christ the King (Pre-K-8) offer much smaller average class sizes, often 12-15 students, allowing for highly individualized attention. Their curricula are not bound by the same state-wide frameworks, offering greater flexibility—such as Long Trail's interdisciplinary courses or Christ the King's integrated faith-based learning. For high school, the comparison shifts to Burr and Burton versus the designated public high school (likely Fair Haven Union High), with BBA offering extensive elective choices, advanced placement courses, and facilities more typical of a premier independent school.
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