Putney School Summer Programs

Work closely and cooperatively with professional artists, writers and performers in the visual arts, the performing arts, and creative writing on a spectacular hilltop campus in southern Vermont.

The Putney School Summer Programs offer students the opportunity for in-depth exploration in the visual arts, performing arts, and creative writing, as well as sustainability through our Farm Program. Our ESOL- Program for International Education for non-native English speakers offers English-language classes and accelerated learning through language immersion. We enroll 135 students in each 3-week session.

Workshops form the core of the day. Students enroll in two half-day workshops-one in the morning, one in the afternoon.

We welcome students to apply who are ready to take risks in their creative work, to learn new things and get better at what they already know, and to be a responsible member of this diverse and close-knit community. The Summer Programs enrolls teenagers from all over the world. We look forward to receiving your application.

From the Director

At Putney, you can follow your passions in serious but fun studios and workshops. You’ll explore and develop skills as you express yourself and take risks in your work as you grow. You’ll be encouraged to collaborate, challenged to problem solve, and supported as you dive into your work. Bring your ideas and come open to meet new people. I look forward to welcoming you.
- Tom Howe, Summer Programs Director

About the School

The Putney School is an independent boarding school dedicated to progressive education for a sustainable future. Founded in 1935, the school is situated on a beautiful hilltop in southern Vermont. The school’s studios and dormitories on our 500-acre campus, together with our working dairy and vegetable farm, serve over 200 students who enroll in the school’s Summer Programs each summer.

Our Mission

The Putney School Summer Programs provides high school students the opportunity to express themselves through an immersion in the creative process. Students are supported by a community of artists and teachers who promote creative expression and value the importance of the arts and sustainable living. We honor and support diversity and a world-wide community of learners.

(From summer.putneyschool.org)

Comments about Putney School Summer Programs

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Mags said...
Nov. 14, 2012 at 9:42 pm:

I do not like many people in the world. I liked many, many people at Putney Summer Programs.  One night we lay in the grass during a sunset while a teacher played a beatiful piano piece he composed while hiking in the Adirondacks.  An accepting, clever, and spunky place. 

 

 

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Adam K said...
Nov. 12, 2012 at 7:05 pm:

I spent two sessions as a student (2009-2010) and two more as a staff-in-training (2011) at the Putney Summer Programs and it was a truly wonderful experience.  During the time I spent there, I gained confidence in myself by finding people to relate to and found interest in activities I did not have the opportunity to participate in before.  In the twelve weeks total I was in Putney; I was able to write several poems, short stories, and plays.  I developed photographs, and even ma... (more »)

 

 

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Elizarose12 said...
Nov. 12, 2012 at 5:41 pm:

I had the most phenomenol experience at the Putney Summer Programs! It was a truly magical experience and I will never forget it. I was surrounded by the kindest, most caring and down-to-earth people while pursuing the art that I loved the most. I was able to greatly increase my knowledge about not only theater, but art in general. Putney was one of the most amazing places I have ever been. The community was amazing to be a part of and I feel I left a much better actress than I came. I learned s... (more »)

 

 

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tuesday2 said...
Nov. 12, 2012 at 4:49 pm:

Putney School Summer Programs was the most incredible place to spend my summer. The community of loving, talented, and supportive people allowed me to really discover and then display who I am as an artist. I made the most incredible friends and was introduced to incredible artists. I was also able to learn about filmmaking, an art that I was not experienced in at all before. Putney is an incredibly inspiring and beautiful community to spend your summer in. 

 

 

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elderado666 said...
Nov. 12, 2012 at 4:01 pm:

Putney...I went there every year I could, all four summers. It was the perfect place for me to explore a myraid of art forms in a detailed manner, for each year you have 1-2 workshop classes to study something in detail and 2 evening classes that are less intense, and instructors are open to students new to the form, especially in evening classes but in workshops as well. The people attracted to Putney all have this sort of spirit that makes meeting, bonding with, and learning to trust those aro... (more »)

 

 

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E-syd said...
Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:18 pm:

This was the perfect place for me to jumpstart my writing. the instructors work closely with their students and provide effective feedback. the students also cooperate and definitely add a valuable layer to the already awesome environment. As far as the enviroment, people, and teachers go, I highly recommend Putney.

 

 

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ejoffe27 said...
Apr. 18, 2011 at 5:36 pm:

The Putney School Summer Programs was a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot about the art I made from the instructors I had during workshops. I made friendships that are still strong 2 years later, and the beauty of southern Vermont taught me to love my planet more. I'm constantly thankful for the two summers I had there and I hope to return again someday.

 

 

Reviews of Putney School Summer Programs