Senate Education Committee hears history and current role of Vermont independent schools

Montpelier — Oliver Wilson, speaking on behalf of the Vermont Independent Schools Association, told the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 29, 2024, that Vermont’s independent schools grew from a long history of locally endowed academies and now serve a mix of students, including many from rural non‑operating districts.

Wilson said the association represents roughly 42 member schools and is governed by a nine‑member executive committee. “All of our member schools are nonprofit organizations,” he said, noting membership includes historic academies, general education schools, specialized ski academies and therapeutic schools focused on students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

The presentation laid out why independent schools persist in parts of Vermont: geography and district governance historically limited the scale needed to operate public high schools in sparsely populated areas. Wilson pointed to pockets of the state where towns tuition students because the towns do…