What is The Putney School? We are both creative and grounded, visionary and practical. We are a community of people who think for themselves, invent, design, experiment, compose, write, build and chase down new ideas.
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Danny O'Brien, Head of School
Student Profiles
Ibrahim
Senior
Massachusetts
The art curriculum has shown me that there are other important things to society, and to learning about each other, and to life in general, because, through art, people express how they feel or express what they see.
Isanna
Junior
New Hampshire
You work alongside your friends, and you get to interact with new people that you might not otherwise have met.
Julian
Junior
Vermont
Putney has taught me that I need to be a person who takes an active role in our world.
Luna
Junior
Vermont
My favorite class this term is actually calculus, which is strange because I’ve never loved math, ever. But I’m really understanding everything, and my classmates are super funny and collaborative.
Sandy
Junior
China
Putney really allows you to come up with your own ideas. You’re not going to be judged. It’s like you’re free.
Josephine
Sophomore
Massachusetts
That’s something that I really appreciate about boarding schools like this, because we have international students and people that come from all different places.
Francis
Sophomore
Utah
I think that Putney is best for someone who wants to take learning into their own hands.
Sam
Sophomore
New York
I looked up at how pretty the stars were and decided that I was going to message all my friends and just get them to come to the pasture and dance under the stars with me.
David
Junior
China
I think I’m more brave and willing to try new things after coming to Putney.
Issy
Sophomore
Rhode Island
I often say Putney is what you make of it. You get from it what you give.”
Corinne
Senior
Maryland
At Putney it’s normal to be so multi-faceted. I really love the people, and how tight knit we are. I’ve learned that self advocacy is a real thing.
Progressive High School Education for a Sustainable Future
For more than 75 years, The Putney School has been at the forefront of the progressive school movement. With a mission to create active, critical thinkers and members of a democratic society, our goal is not to merely convey information but to engage our students in the learning process so they become the makers of their own education.
Our teachers encourage students to pursue essential pieces of knowledge by researching and analyzing the information around them and presenting their findings and original ideas in engaging ways.
The Putney School takes a holistic approach to education. To achieve this, our students partake in a variety of leadership and decision-making roles, work on our 500-acre farm, participate in sports, apprentice with local artisans, and express themselves through the performing arts. With sustainability, community building, and diversity woven into the fabric of our life here at Putney, students develop a well-rounded view of the world and the skills needed to thrive in it—and shape it. Come join us to learn, play, build and create community together here in beautiful Vermont.
Think / Do
At Putney we believe people learn best by doing, rather than being told. Our students flourish with the freedom they have here.
Joy / Meaning
We see the joy that comes from meaningful inquiry and meaningful work. It’s happening all over campus. It can happen for you.
Lead / Work
We value collaboration more than competition. Everyone plays an active role in running the community. Learn more about the leadership opportunities available to our students.
Self / Others
At Putney you will learn the art and skill of self-motivation and self-direction while working with others in an inclusive environment.
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