How many international students attend at Putney?

Of 220 Putney students, about 40 have foreign addresses. Most of these students are citizens of other countries; some are dual citizens, and some are Americans living overseas. Definitions of “international student” vary, but any student living outside the United States offers experiences and insights we value for our “world at Putney.”

Do you have an ESOL program?

Yes. We have a two-level ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program---intermediate and advanced–-for students who need additional language training.

How many international students will you accept this year?

The school enrolls about 80 new students each year, from the United States and around the world. Our ESOL program is small, however, and so is limited to 10 or 12 new students each year.

Do I have to take the SSAT, TOEFL, or SLEP to apply? What are the minimum scores?

International students whose first language is not English are not required to take SSAT. As a measure of English ability, TOEFL or SLEP scores are very helpful. We usually do not require them for the application, but rather use scores to help us determine your English level.

We will ask for a TOEFL score from students who wish to demonstrate their preparedness to bypass ESOL classes for all-mainstream classes. If you do submit at TOEFL score, please have it sent directly to Putney by using school code 8079 when you take the test.

What grade should I apply for?

Most students apply for the same grade they would enter in their home country. However, it is sometimes a good idea to apply for the same grade you are finishing at home, to give you one more year of education in English before applying for college: repeating one grade when moving to an American school has some benefits. Each situation is different, and you should discuss this with our Admissions office.

Can I apply as an eleventh- or twelfth-grader?

We accept applicants for all grades, although these spaces are more competitive. If you apply as an 11th grader, you need to demonstrate a readiness for our advanced ESOL class or higher. If you apply as a 12th grader, you must demonstrate a readiness for all-mainstream classes. A TOEFL score of 80 (IBT) generally shows this readiness, as does prior experience in a mainstream program at another American school.

Can I apply for the spring term (beginning in January)?

We rarely enroll international students midyear. Because our academic year unfolds in such a structured way, entering midway through does not provide the orientation and adjustment time we feel students from overseas need.

Do you offer financial aid for international students?

Yes. We offer some aid for qualified students. Typically, maximum grants are 50% of total costs. Families who wish to apply for financial aid must complete an application, to be found at www.putneyschool.org/content/affording-putney

Why don't you teach AP courses?

Putney's educational program considers that learning should be creative, collaborative, and flexible. Students should learn to ask good questions, to research and analyze, and  to share their ideas clearly and powerfully. These skills cannot be measured by standardized tests such as the APs, which are designed to teach students how to answer questions that others have asked. Putney has never had an AP curriculum, and we are now being joined by many of the top schools in the country. It is clear to us that colleges understand our program, because our students do well in today’s competitive college-admission process.

What colleges do Putney graduates attend?

Each year, Putney's seniors apply to a great variety of colleges; this variety represents the individuality of our students. To see a list of where our recent graduates are studying, please follow www.putneyschool.org/content/matriculation.

Do you have a summer program?

Yes, The Putney School has a summer program for students learning English, as well as programs in the arts, in writing, and on the farm. We strongly urge new Putney international students to attend our summer English program for 3 weeks or 6 weeks. Please visit www.putneyschool.org/summer for more information about our summer programs, or to request an application. Students who are accepted into our academic-year program do not need to complete a full application for summer.