Putney stands for a way of life, and we realize that this life must be an environmentally sustainable one. Throughout our history, the land use program has been a key element of a Putney education. Everyone works on the farm, in the gardens, and in the woods. New technology and old are combined to find ways to live more lightly on the land. Our curriculum includes Physiological Ecology, American Environmental History, Complex Systems: Agroecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology, and Environmental Philosophy. Biology and chemistry classes use the natural world as their laboratories and many of our students dig deeply into field study as part of independent work.
Think green. Live green. Build green.
Sustainability Squad
Our Sustainability Squad is one of many student leadership opportunities available at Putney. The Squad works on projects to improve campus environmental performance, and lead trips off campus to conferences and rallies. Here are just some of the green initiatives they’ve led over the years.
ESG Investment
Students were at the heart of a move toward more environmentally and socially sound investment practices with a call to divest from fossil fuels. Working together to align the school’s endowment fund, beliefs and investment policies, Putney now invests its portfolio using ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) lenses with the company Glenmede.
Pollinator Garden
Students initiated a garden to provide food and shelter for pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, helping to increase native biodiversity and support the natural ecosystem.
Recycling
The Sustainability Squad conducted an assessment of the school’s recycling program and wrote a proposal to replace all old recycling and waste bins with new, easier to use ones. The metal bins with liners were positioned across campus as a result of their work.
Sustainability Education
Students have planned and hosted a professional level Climate Justice Conference addressing topics such as climate change, racial justice, food justice careers and urban revitalization. They have also designed and led tours of our solar array and our net-zero field house, highlighting its unique features.
Net Zero Dorms
Hepper House and Gund House, Putney’s two net zero dorms that were erected in 2023, are designed to be be high performance and reflect current architectural thoughts around environmental efficiency and sustainability. They run on electricity generated from our solar sites on campus and nearby. Other green aspects include high standard building materials such as “certified” wood sourced from managed forests and composting toilets for the students populations. Both dorms provide housing for 22 students along with spacious apartments for faculty members and their families.
Our Field House
The Field House was the first net zero, LEED Platinum certified school building in the country. It consumes less energy than it produces, and is a place for movement, sports, and physical activity accessible to all and usable 365 days a year. It has been in many publications and we’ve hosted visits from other interested educational institutions, businesses, and organizations who want to see how it has been constructed. We hope it serves as an example to everyone planning a new building in the future.
Solar Panels
Our 446 kW solar array contains more than 1,400 solar panels, and provides enough energy to offset 65 percent of the school’s electrical needs. Tucked into a field at Lower Farm since 2016, the initiative has been a cornerstone of our master plan to become a net zero campus. The project was financed through Power Purchase Agreement in partnership with The Atmosphere Conservancy, which helps non-profit organizations carry out renewable energy projects. The array was constructed by Namasté Solar, in collaboration with Vermont-based E&S Electric.
Elm Lea Farm
The majority of the vegetables, milk and dairy products served in our dining hall is sourced directly from Elm Lea Farm. Every student at Putney spends at least one semester engaged in all aspects of our diversified farm, including planting and harvesting crops, foraging, gardening, milking and feeding our dairy cows. The farm to table connection is embedded in our culture and instills a deep sense of community and appreciation for the food we consume.
Cabin Program
We have five cabins — two of which were designed and built entirely by students — that provide an opportunity for Putney seniors to experience what it means to truly live sustainability. Each cabin is solar powered, highly-insulated, and heated with a wood burning stove. Selected students develop a hands-on understanding of their energy consumption, and learn to thrive in a rustic environment that illuminates the charm of a simple lifestyle.
Keep Exploring
Student Leadership
At Putney you will practice leadership and learn through experience. Students apply for and are elected to over 50 leadership positions all of which lead vital work at the school.
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Work Program
Our Work Program has been a unique part of Putney since the beginning. Every student contributes to our community through work, which instills leadership, resilience, and teamwork. We work hard,
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Project Weeks
During the end of each academic semester, students have the opportunity to complete two projects that employ skills they have acquired in their academic and non-academic program during the semester.
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Outdoor Experiences and Stewardship
With our 600 acres nestled in the eastern foothills of the Green Mountains, Putney students spend a lot of time outside. We weave our beautiful natural surroundings into our classrooms
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