A Week in the Life
Living, learning, and working together on the mountain.
At the Mountain School, each week follows a natural rhythm—balancing academic rigor, outdoor exploration, meaningful work, and time for rest and community.
Our schedule is designed to help students find purpose and connection in every part of the day: from morning chores on the farm to lively seminar discussions and quiet reflection under Vermont’s night sky.
Weekday Rhythm
Challenge your mind. Engage your hands. Connect with your community.
Weekdays at the Mountain School are full, yet intentional. Mornings are devoted to academics; afternoons bring hands-on work and outdoor learning; evenings are a mix of community life and reflection.
Take a look below at a hypothetical schedule for a student at the Mountain School.
Monday - Friday
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|
Weekend
| Time | Saturday | Time | Sunday |
|---|
Life Within the Rhythm of the Week
Each student takes six courses, striking a balance between academic rigor and hands-on, place-based learning. Afternoons are devoted to rotating activities that bring the curriculum to life, including Commons Work, the Outdoor Program, Advisory, and other community-centered experiences.
Weekdays begin with breakfast and Morning Meeting, where the entire school gathers to connect and prepare for the day ahead. Mornings focus on academic classes, followed by farm work, outdoor learning, or collaborative projects in the afternoon. Classes finish before dinner, leaving evenings open for affinity groups, clubs, or quiet study time before the 9:00 PM check-in—when lights dim and the internet turns off for the night.
Weekends follow a gentler rhythm. Saturdays start with a later breakfast and time for Commons Work or field trips, followed by lunch and chores in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is free for hikes, creative pursuits, or student-organized activities. Saturday nights feature community events planned by students and faculty, from concerts to stargazing. Sundays are a time to reset—whether relaxing on campus or exploring Vermont’s surrounding trails and towns before dinner together at 6:00 PM.
Weekends in the Upper Valley
Time to breathe, reflect, and explore.
Weekends offer a change of pace, giving students space to rest, connect, and enjoy the beauty of Vermont.
Saturday Mornings: Program Blocks followed by lunch.
Saturday Afternoons: Commons Work, student-planned activities, local hikes, or creative projects.
Saturday Evenings: Community dinners, open-mic nights, dances, or stargazing on the hill.
Sundays: A slower start, time for rest and reflection, and a chance to cook or take an off-campus adventure.
No two weekends are the same—but each one offers moments of laughter, connection, and gratitude.
Balance and Belonging
The Mountain School week balances academic challenge with physical work, independent thought with community care.
You’ll find structure and freedom, challenge and joy—all woven into a pattern that helps you grow as a student, friend, and leader.
By the end of your semester, you’ll know the rhythms of the land, the satisfaction of shared work, and the peace of a well-lived week.
From Vermont to the World
A semester at the Mountain School doesn’t just shape who you are here—it shapes where you’ll go next. Colleges and universities across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. recognize Mountain School students as engaged, curious, and community-minded learners ready to contribute on day one.
Since 2019, more than 300 alumni have gone on to attend over 100 institutions—from Ivy League and Russell Group universities to top research and liberal arts colleges, in the United States, Canada, the UK, and beyond, supported by teacher recommendations that reflect deep, authentic connection and growth.
Your journey doesn’t end here—it expands.