Apply

An Overview of the Process

Should you apply, you will be required to have an interview, preferably in person. Along with the completed application form, you will submit:
  • School records.
  • Recommendations—one from your English or History teacher, another from a Math or Science teacher, one from your parents or guardians, and a fourth from your guidance counselor or principal.
  • Brief essays in response to questions on the application form.
  • Test scores - we require that all 9th and 10th grade applicants take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) as part of the application to The Putney School. 11th and 12th grade applicants may submit PSAT or SAT scores in lieu of the SSAT.

    To save time, please have your SSAT scores sent directly to our office. Putney's school code is 5950 and can be entered when you register for the test.
    SSAT practice tests are available at Test Prep Review

We base our admission decisions on personal promise and demonstrated academic achievement. Students who apply before January 15th will be notified of our decision on March 10th. After that date, we will review applicants on a rolling basis. We welcome applications from transfer students for grades 9-12.

Prospective students are urged to visit, preferably on a school day so that they have the opportunity to tour the campus, talk with students and teachers, and visit classes. A personal interview follows.

Contact the Admission Office to arrange a visit. 802 387-6219 or Email

Financial Aid

We offer Financial Aid on a case-by-case, need-only basis, making Putney accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. Each year about 40% of all Putney students receive financial aid. Families that wish to apply for tuition reduction grants should request the necessary forms from the Admission Office at the beginning of the application process. Lois Barber, the Director of Financial Aid, will work with you once you have completed the application materials. You may contact Lois at 802/387-6243 with any financial aid questions.

Homeschooled Applicants

Many students with a homeschool background thrive in our close-knit, hard-working community. However, we ask that applicant families meet the following criteria to assure fulfillment of graduation requirements and minimize difficulty in the college application process:

  • If applying for higher grades, homeschoolers must be working with an accredited umbrella organization that can provide a transcript and certify course credit.
  • Ninth grade applicants are also urged to work with an umbrella organization. At the completion of the 8th grade, please provide us with a final copy of the curriculum covered, and any final assessments done to allow us to properly place the applicant in classes.
  • If you have not been working with such an organization, please provide us, at the time of application, with a complete description of the curriculum used, which should include syllabi, textbooks, and evaluation procedures. We require references from outside adults with whom the student has had a working relationship.

Our School

Putney enrolls boarding and day students from grades 9 through 12. Currently, students represent 23 different states and 15 different countries. We have two levels of ESL classes, and fully 20 percent of the student body is international. The Putney School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We do not discriminate in the administration of our educational policies and scholarships