The Putney School

418 Houghton Brook Road

Putney, VT 05346

6 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on September 18, 2024

Putney remains an unparalleled educational, community, and lifetime experience even after a B.A., masters, and 10 years out from Putney graduation. The friends I made there remain in my life with a unique bond, and the appreciation for culture, arts, diversity, learning, and kindness I learned follow me throughout my life. From the arts I got to try to the interests I honed, from the mentors I leaned on to the teachers that pushed me to learn, from the animals and outdoors to the leadership positions I gained invaluable experience from... there is not enough good things I can say about Putney. I was more prepared than my peers heading into college and whenever I describe my high school most people respond that they wish they could go back and do it over the way I got to do it.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2024

Putney is a gem. On a beautiful hill, in rural Vermont, three hundred lucky students work, learn and play together. We've had two kids go through Putney and they are as different as possible. Both were challenged, supported and guided through a very nearly perfect high school experience and into great colleges. Putney teachers are the heart and soul of the school. They foster deep and genuine connections with students and see each one as an individual. The work program is also a special feature of the school, where kids learn that showing up and doing a great job is for everyone. Neither of my kids picked Putney for the incredible art offerings, but both loved their sculpture, woodworking, photography, ceramics and handiwork classes. Putney is not for everyone---it's not for kids who shirk or want to slip under the radar. It's not for students afraid of getting their hands dirty or wearing a hat in the wintere. But if you have a creative, kind kid, who is looking for a welcoming school, Putney may well be for them.
Submitted by student on December 06, 2015

The Putney School is the very best thing that has ever happened to me. Here, I learned so many things that I was interested in, but never had the chance to get involved with before. For examples, my Fiber Arts teacher helped me so much while I tried to learn fashion design (fashion design is not offered as a class) and have opened so many new doors in that art for me; our inhouse graphic designer sponsored my project week (what we have instead of exams) to learn graphic design without having any prior experience. The Putney School is a place where kids are expected to just go out there and create amazing opportunities for themselves, with tremendous supports from amazing faculty. Teachers don't tell you what to do, but inspire you to do things, and then help you to realize it. Not a single time, has a teacher looked down on my ideas. Over my two years here, I have witnessed how this place shapes wonderful kids into independent, strong, determined individuals who are all pursuing very different things. Yet, these are also people who value working together for the community.
Submitted by student on September 12, 2013

I just read what someone wrote about Putney, and I'd point out several points to prevent misunderstanding. This person said, "There was never a spare moment for my personal artwork advancement," but that's not at all true. Although school does not emphasize on grades, but I got straight As on all of the courses I took. I took a lot of time getting prepared for calsses, I still had plenty of time to get prepared for SAT on my own and read great literature. I haven't seen someone who manages time wisely among who say they don't have time because of work. Manage your time wisely. If you work on your assignment during the conference blocks and the second half of the lunch time, you will always have more than three hours for yourself in the afternoon or evening. Of course, I had jobs, afternoon activities, and evening arts. And many schools emphasize on athletics, and Putney is one of the few schools that are not so entrenched in athletics. They will tell you to do it, because it's good for your health. Unless your in varsity, you only have to do 3 hours a week. I cannot process how this would take all of your free time to work on your art pieces.
Submitted by student on July 21, 2013

This school is not what you think it is. They may seem to be a progressive independent school meant for individuals. However, there is such an emphasis on work and arts that the students do not have time to find their true passions. I was forced into athletic afternoon activities, when I wished to focus on my artwork. There was never a spare moment for my personal artwork advancement. When I had problems with my self-esteem and the school, I would email the dean of students. He was very slow in responding and never once met with me in person. My mother had to force him to have a meeting with me for him to even consider it. The school has one focus, and that is work. The student's health or goals hardly matter to the staff. In my time at Putney, I noticed that while the school is small there are noticeable friend circles that exclude others. It is not an inclusive environment for anyone to thrive in. Use your own judgement, but be careful when making a decision about sending your children to the Putney School.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2010

Putney is truly one of a kind, offering an exceptional context for the development of well rounded, engaged, thoughtful and hard working teenagers. Teachers at Putney do not just pay lip service to the lofty ideals of progressive education: they very definitely walk the walk. The current Head of School sets a wise and compassionate tone for the community. Things like the work program (all students have jobs!), project weeks (replacing conventional exam periods) and "Long Fall" expeditions set Putney apart.