Why Boarding School?
Discover a Learning Experience That Changes Everything
Get out of the grind. Put down your phone. Study and live with hands-on courses in a community that reminds you why you love to learn.
At the Mountain School, boarding school isn’t just about where you sleep; it’s about where you wake up to your fullest potential. It’s about learning in a community that connects you to the land, to others, and to yourself. It’s about stepping away from the familiar and discovering what you’re truly capable of in a place that cares for you as much as you care for it.
A semester at The Mountain School gives you something rare: the chance to slow down, to root deeply, and to live your education every single day.
Live and Learn, Beyond the Classroom
At boarding schools like the Mountain School, learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings. Every part of your day becomes part of your education: in the barn caring for animals, in the kitchen preparing meals, in the forest conducting field studies, or in evening conversations that challenge your thinking.
Here, your coursework connects to real life. When you study Food Systems, you plant, harvest, and eat what you grow. When you explore Environmental Science, you manage the forest and process the wood that heats your dorm. When you discuss systems and sustainability, you live those principles every day.
Learn Both Independence and Interdependence
Boarding school life teaches you how to stand on your own — managing your time, caring for yourself and your community, solving problems, and building resilience.
You’ll also learn that independence means little without interdependence. At the Mountain School, the farm, kitchen, and community depend on everyone’s shared work. You learn that true strength isn’t just standing alone - it’s showing up for others.
“Students come here ready to commit to something bigger than themselves. They want to make a difference and our curriculum helps them do that - every single day.”
Your Teachers Know You—Really Know You
At the Mountain School, teachers don’t just lecture; they live and learn alongside you. They lead outdoor trips, train chores, share meals, and mentor you in every aspect of campus life.
Because they see you in so many contexts — as a scholar, a community member, and a friend — they can help you grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom. This mentorship defines the heart of the boarding school experience, and many alumni keep in touch with their teachers, advisors, and dorm parents long after graduation.
Build Friendships That Last a Lifetime
When you live, work, and learn together, friendships become deeper than simple connections — they become community.
You’ll share chores, meals, laughter, and challenges. You’ll support each other through the tough days and celebrate the victories together. These are the kinds of relationships that last long after graduation - they’re the kind you’ll carry with you for life.
Everything You Need Is Right Where You Are
Forget the daily commute between classes, practices, and activities. At the Mountain School, everything you need is right here on campus: academics, exercise, the kitchen, the arts, the farm, the forest, and health and wellness resources.
This close-knit environment helps you focus deeply, engage fully, and make the most of every moment. You’ll develop real connections with the land and deep trust in your community, all within a short walk.
Connect with Place in a Way That Changes You
At The Mountain School, you don’t just study the land, you come to know it. You’ll learn the rhythms of the seasons, the feel of the soil, the leaf-filtered light at your science site, and the histories of each hillside and field.
This depth of connection teaches you to notice, to care, and to take responsibility. It’s a lesson in stewardship — one that lasts far beyond your semester here.
Become a Problem Solver, Ready for the Future
Every day at The Mountain School brings real challenges — and real opportunities to solve them. How do we farm sustainably? How do we heat our buildings responsibly? How do we share resources equitably and build an inclusive community?
These aren’t hypothetical exercises. They’re lived experiences that prepare you to think critically and transcendently, collaborate effectively, and lead with purpose — the skills the world needs most.
Be Better Prepared for What Comes Next
Boarding school graduates report feeling more prepared for college and life afterwards. You’ll leave the Mountain School with the ability to manage your time, advocate for yourself, and thrive in community.
You’ll carry with you confidence, resilience, and the capacity to live with meaning and purpose - wherever life takes you next.
Not All Boarding Schools Are the Same
Each boarding school has its own identity. Some emphasize traditional academics or athletics. Others, like the Mountain School, focus on hands-on and experiential learning, connection to the land and environment, and collaborative community life.
With just 45 students per semester, The Mountain School is an intentionally small and inclusive community.
Here, your work, voice, and perspective matter.
The Mountain School Can Take You Where You Want to Go
If you’re drawn to learning by doing, to understanding the systems that shape our world, and to being part of a community that values both independence and the common good, you belong here.
Each day, you’ll plant, harvest, study, and reflect. You’ll learn in classrooms, in fields, and in forests. And you’ll come away with more than credits — you’ll leave with purpose, confidence, and direction.
Learn by doing. Care by belonging. Lead for the common good.