2024 Best Preschools in Vermont
Learn more about preschools in Vermont
A Parents Guide to Vermont Preschools
When it comes to finding a quality preschool, Vermont excels. With 259 total schools to choose from, the state is much better endowed than the national average of 985 and 74% higher than the average state. This means that parents have plenty of options to investigate when finding the best fit for their child. And, on average, the preschools here get a B rating, which is pretty decent and about the same as aveage school nationally. Most preschools in Vermont are between 100-200 students, with the precise average coming out at 198 students. This figure falls severely under the national average by about 46%, which can mean the state offers a much more close-knit environment than is typical in other states. A third of all Vermont preschools fall above the national average (33%), which means there’s a good 86 above average options for the active parent to choose from. This state also boasts a healthy 11 to 1 student to teacher ratio, which is 21% below the average class size in most states, this may contribute to great learning outcomes given the correlation between academic performance and individual attention from teachers.
What should you know about public preschools in Vermont?
Vermont's public preschools are an impressive group, accounting for an overwhelming majority of the state's educational institutions. With over 200 distinct schools to choose from, families have a plethora of options to consider. Interestingly, the average public preschool in Vermont is slightly smaller than the national norm, accommodating around 218 students, which is roughly 41% lower than the countrywide average. Despite this difference, the state's preschools still perform comparably to the rest of the nation, earning an average grade of B–
All about traditional public schools in Vermont
Vermont has more traditional public schools than any other type of public school in the country and it's no surprise that there are over 200 of them in this state alone. On average, these schools score higher than the national average, with a grade of B–. Although these metrics shouldn't be used as sole indicators when selecting a school, they do offer helpful information for families. In Vermont, around 38% of traditional public schools are rated above the national average, equating to approximately 78 different preschools. Interestingly, these schools tend to be slightly smaller than most preschools, with Vermont's average size being 41% smaller than others.
Vermont's Top Traditional Public Preschool: Weybridge Elementary School
In Middlebury, Vermont parents will find Weybridge Elementary School which is widely considered one of top traditional public preschools in this state. Weybridge Elementary School offers an excellent balance between classroom rigor and social development where children can be challenged intellectually but also feel comfortable and secure amongst their peers. With an enrollment 39 students and an even lower student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1 it provides personalized attention and fosters intimate cultures within classrooms that further encourages learning for its pupils. In fact, it boasts one of lowest student-to-teacher ratios in all of Vermont at 43% under national averages; it's no wonder parents love it so much! If Weybridge Elementary School isn't a fit there are plenty more traditional options out there like Killington Elementary School which also has good ratings making it another top choice for families seeking quality education in this state.
All About Charter Preschools in Vermont
Unfortunately due its size compared to other states charter preschoole are hard to come by here with only 0 total available options across all of Vermont making it 44th per capita (which is actually 100% fewer than what you'd typically find). So if you're after a charter option you may want to look outside this state as there are no current charter schools operating here at this time.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Magnet preschools in Connecticut
Not too far behind charter schools are magnet schools for which there are surprisingly 3 different options across all of Vermont despite this state being 24th per capita (9% higher than national averages). With all that being said magnet school's grades aren't quite up to par with most other states grades falling in at just a C level significantly below national averages especially considering there are no magnet school's that scored above a B- ranking here giving parents little hope if they're after magnet school education for their little ones. Additionally, student populations for magnet schools tend to be about 42% larger than those found within other types of preschools so take note before selecting any magnet school option in VT as bigger numbers don't always equate to better education despite what some may think or claim.
What is the best magnet preschool in Vermont?
Vermont is home to a few excellent magnet preschools, but the top-ranked option is the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes. This school is located in Burlington, and has an impressive C+ grade. Although the school size of 183 students is smaller than average, that's not where the appeal lies. The real selling point is the student to teacher ratio, which is 10:1, or 29% lower than the national average. This means that students receive individualized attention and instruction, leading to a more successful academic performance overall. The 2nd best magnet school in the state is Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler. Located in Burlington like its #1 ranked counterpart, this school has a C grade, and 253 students enrolled. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1, which still beats out many other schools in the state.
Key insights into Vermont's private school landscape
Private schools are a popular choice for parents in Vermont, with 49 schools available across the state. The average grade for these institutions is an impressive A-, and the typical private school size is 99 students (73% lower than the national average). This could mean that parents are looking for an intimate educational experience for their children without sacrificing quality education in their search for a preschool alternative.
A quick overview of religious preschools in Vermont
Though not as plentiful as other states, 18 of Vermont's private schools are religiously affiliated. About 37% of all private schools are religious, and Catholic schools make up the majority of them at 10 total schools statewide. The average grade quality of religious preschools in Vermont is a B+, slightly lower than the state's overall private school average grade. The size of these schools on average is 121 students - 67% higher than the national average - making it clear that religious education isn't limited to small class sizes.
Top-Ranked Religious preschool in Vermont
For those seeking a religious preschool education for their child, United Christian Academy takes the cake as the highest-rated religious preschool in Vermont. Located in Newport, this school also has an A- grade and an incredibly small student population of 80 children total. In addition to having a small class size, United Christian Academy also boasts an impressive 5:1 student to teacher ratio - 64% lower than the national average - giving children unparalleled access to individualized learning experiences during these formative years. The 2nd ranked religious school in Vermont is Websterville Christian Academy, located in Websterville - about 20 minutes away from Montpelier. This school has a B+ rating and 119 students enrolled. Though not as small as United Christian Academy, Websterville Christian Academy still boasts an impressive 9:1 student to teacher ratio which is 36% below the national average - another big plus for those seeking quality education with personalized attention and instruction for their child.
What about private non-religious preschools in Vermont?
There are 30 private non-religious preschools available across Vermont - or 12% of all private schools statewide - making it a popular choice for parents who prefer secular education options for their children's formative years. Interestingly enough, however, these schools score slightly lower than other states with 159% higher per capita availability than most states. Though not necessarily bad news - considering only 7% of them score above the national average - it could be indicative of what parents value when it comes to quality education for their children's formative years. The average school size across all 30 nonsectarian private schools is 87 students (76% lower than the national average).
Top Private Nonsectarian preschool in Vermont
The top-ranked private nonsectarian preschool in Vermont is Lake Champlain Waldorf School, located in Shelburne with an A- grade score and 265 students enrolled - much larger than most other schools on this list! Despite its larger enrollment size compared to other schools on this list, it still has a 10:1 student to teacher ratio - 29% below the national level - making it an ideal option for parents looking for personalized attention without sacrificing quality education standards at their child's educational institution.
The second highest-ranked private nonsectarian preschool option available in Vermont is none other than Vermont Day School - also located in Shelburne! It has an A+ grade and 63 students enrolled total, making it one of the smaller options on this list but still providing ample opportunity for individualized instruction due to its remarkable 5:1 student to teacher ratio (64% lower than the national avg).
Top 25 Best Preschools in Vermont
Search for the best preschools in Vermont
#1 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Weybridge Elementary School
Middlebury, VT
#2 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Killington Elementary School
Killington, VT
#3 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Marion W. Cross School
Norwich, VT
#4 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Wardsboro Central School
Wardsboro, VT
#5 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Newton Elementary School
South Strafford, VT
#6 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Fayston Elementary School
Fayston, VT
#7 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Barnard Academy
Barnard, VT
#8 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Waitsfield Elementary School
Waitsfield, VT
#9 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Orchard School
South Burlington, VT
#10 Best Preschools School in Vermont
Ferrisburgh Central School
Ferrisburgh, VT