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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Emily Jones, Head of School
Think / Do
At Putney we believe people learn best by doing, rather than being told. Our students flourish with the freedom they have here.
Lead / Work
We value collaboration more than competition. Everyone plays an active role in running the community. Learn more about the 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.
Home / World
We promote presence in community, in work, right now. We take what we learn off the hill and out into the world. Just like you, we want to make the world a better place.
News and Events
Student Profiles
Noa
Freshman
Maine
There’s value placed on work, and it feels connected to the essential aspects of living.
Sophia
Junior
Colorado
Sophia is insatiably curious. Whether exploring computer coding, translating German poetry, or investigating new techniques for photography, Sophia lives on the edge of what she doesn’t yet understand or know how to do.
Nathan Zweig, English Teacher
William
Freshman
China
At Putney, everyone is so friendly and open that I have become more open, too. It’s been such an easy community to join.
Piper
Sophomore
Vermont
Having new and different experiences makes you more adaptable for sure, which is very important when going out on your own for the first time.
Triana
Freshman
Mexico
I’m friends now with people from all over the world—China, Japan, Madagascar, and all over the U.S.—so we’re able to talk about cultural contrasts and have interesting discussions.
Max
Sophomore
Massachusetts
I don’t think of it as a failure, because I learned from the experience. I have a deeper understanding of the processes involved and if I were to try again, I would know how to do it better.
Patrick
Junior
Vermont
Everybody, as a part of the community, is working toward similar goals, which unifies us in a way.
Anna
Junior
California
That’s one cool thing I’ve learned here: even if Putney doesn’t start with what you want, you can find a way to make it happen.
Nayderson
Sophomore
Massachusetts
Because of the strong trust Putney has in its students, and the emphasis on students being leaders, it’s helped me realize that I have the power to start something.
David
Sophomore
Vermont
Putney really underscores that you shouldn’t be static, that you should be progressing at all times.