Long Trail School


Long Trail School is an independent college-preparatory coeducational day school serving students 6-12 located in Dorset, Vermont, United States. Long Trail School was established on the founding principles that "every student is unique, small group instruction responds to individual needs, high academic standards motivate students, and financial need should not deter qualified students from applying." Long Trail School provides financial aid to qualified students. Many area students are eligible for some amount of tax-funded tuition assistance.

History

David Wilson, founded Long Trail School in 1975 with an original class of 14 students in the rented space of the Dorset Sportsman’s Club.
The school, which serves grades 6-12, has consistently grown, with 200 students enrolled for the 2019-20 academic year.
Notable changes over the years have included the acquisition and construction the facility with winding hallways and small classrooms, two common rooms, offices, a library, a 220-seat theater, art studios, presentation spaces, and a gymnasium.

About the school

Long Trail School has drawn students from over 38 towns in Vermont and neighboring New York state, and from 20 foreign countries, including South Korea, Japan, China, England, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Germany, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Austria, Australia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Brazil, Spain and Costa Rica.
As of May 14, 2010, Long Trail School is the first school in Vermont to be officially inducted as an International Baccalaureate school.

Academics

Long Trail School was recently named the first International Baccalaureate World school in Vermont. Class sizes currently average 8-12 students, though classes with only a single student are not unheard of at Long Trail. Academic standards are high by comparison to other local schools, with test scores consistently above state and local averages. Even after offering IB courses, Long Trail continues to offer some Advanced Placement classes, many independent study opportunities and student-demanded classes.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is notably informal and laid-back compared to a traditional school environment. This is most notably seen in strong relationships between students and teachers and the notion of many as the school as a second home. Indeed the building demonstrates many homey qualities. The custom of students addressing faculty by their first names helps create a feeling of community.

The Arts

Long Trail offers musical, visual, and theatrical arts.
In 2014, Long Trail School attended the Fringe Festival in Scotland for the third time by invitation. Long Trail is one of the smallest schools nationwide to be invited to do so.

Athletics

Long Trial offers athletic teams for middle and upper school students in soccer, cross-country, golf, basketball, dance rock climbing, track and field and ultimate frisbee.
In 2004, Long Trail made the transition to Division IV varsity athletics.

College placement

Starting in 8th grade, Long Trail School commits to the path of placing students in the right college for the individual, taking into consideration family finances, geography, areas of interest and grades. In the past, Long Trail graduating classes have been offered significant merit aid for college. The class of 2007, numbering 14 graduates, was offered $780,000 in merit scholarship over the next 4 years. Students have applied and been accepted to Harvard University, Williams College, Brown University, UC Santa Cruz, Cornell University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Yale University, Georgetown University, Macalester College, Middlebury College, Hamilton College, Boston College, New York University, Duke University, Boston University, Sarah Lawrence College, University of Vermont, Bennington College, and High Point University

Alumni

Long Trail School has launched its graduates into a variety of fields. Among its alumni are white water rafting guides, financial planners, engineers, teachers, lawyers, curators, small business owners, fundraisers, and several in the non-profit/philanthropic sector.

LTSummer

LTSummer is a day camp held by Long Trail School every summer. The camp is divided into several programs for different age groups.