Currently rolling admissions for the open 7th Grade Spots for 2026–27 school year. Inquire or apply today!
Founded in 2001, NBS is a recognized independent middle school in Ripton serving grades 7-9. With just 27 students, North Branch offers small classes and a low student-teacher ratio, creating a close-knit community where learning is both challenging and deeply personal.
Students are known well by their teachers and peers, and they are given real freedom and responsibility to help shape the culture of the school and the direction of their own learning. It’s a place where curiosity, independence, and strong relationships are at the center of the middle school experience.
Financial aid is available as needed.
Founded in 2001, NBS is a recognized independent middle school in Ripton serving grades 7-9. With just 27 students, North Branch offers small classes and a low student-teacher ratio, creating a close-knit community where learning is both challenging and deeply personal.
Students are known well by their teachers and peers, and they are given real freedom and responsibility to help shape the culture of the school and the direction of their own learning. It’s a place where curiosity, independence, and strong relationships are at the center of the middle school experience.
Financial aid is available as needed.
Tuition
Tuition for the 2026-2027 school year is $13,700. Arrangements for payment may be made according to individual family needs. Generally, families elect to pay on a quarterly or monthly basis.
There is tuition assistance available to be distributed on the basis of demonstrated need. The school is committed to making every reasonable effort to assist families financially. Requests for financial aid have no impact on admission decisions. Those applications, related conversations and resulting tuition agreements are completed following enrollment.
Tuition for the 2026-2027 school year is $13,700. Arrangements for payment may be made according to individual family needs. Generally, families elect to pay on a quarterly or monthly basis.
There is tuition assistance available to be distributed on the basis of demonstrated need. The school is committed to making every reasonable effort to assist families financially. Requests for financial aid have no impact on admission decisions. Those applications, related conversations and resulting tuition agreements are completed following enrollment.
Application Procedure
1. Application
Prospective students should fill out the student questionnaire (by hand, if possible). Parents should fill out the parent forms. All materials can be sent to the school address (below). There is a non-refundable application fee of $50.00. This fee may be waived if it presents a financial hardship.
2. School Visits
Families interested in enrolling their child are encouraged (but not required) to attend our school open-house in mid-January when they will have an opportunity to hear from teachers, current students, and alums. Parents are then encouraged to schedule a time to meet with Donna & Joanna at the school. Together with the student “group interview” below, these visits give students and families a feel for the school and its culture and provide several different forums for questions.
3. Group Interview
Students who apply are asked to attend a group interview after school with Tal and a handful of other applicants. This usually happens after the open house and parent visit, and before or shortly after the application deadline. NBS will contact parents to schedule these visits.
4. Transcripts and Records
Please sign the Transcript Release Form and submit it to your child’s current school. Please inform the school that they should send all pertinent materials, transcripts, records, IEP’s, or other information to The North Branch School.
5. Math Teacher Recommendation
A teacher recommendation from a current math teacher is useful in providing us with more specific information in this area. Please give the form to the applicant’s present math teacher and ask that it be mailed directly to The North Branch School. This recommendation will remain confidential. You may want to provide a stamped and addressed envelope for the convenience of the teacher.
A completed application should include:
Please mail completed forms to:
Admissions
The North Branch School
P.O. Box 209
Ripton, Vermont 05766
1. Application
Prospective students should fill out the student questionnaire (by hand, if possible). Parents should fill out the parent forms. All materials can be sent to the school address (below). There is a non-refundable application fee of $50.00. This fee may be waived if it presents a financial hardship.
2. School Visits
Families interested in enrolling their child are encouraged (but not required) to attend our school open-house in mid-January when they will have an opportunity to hear from teachers, current students, and alums. Parents are then encouraged to schedule a time to meet with Donna & Joanna at the school. Together with the student “group interview” below, these visits give students and families a feel for the school and its culture and provide several different forums for questions.
3. Group Interview
Students who apply are asked to attend a group interview after school with Tal and a handful of other applicants. This usually happens after the open house and parent visit, and before or shortly after the application deadline. NBS will contact parents to schedule these visits.
4. Transcripts and Records
Please sign the Transcript Release Form and submit it to your child’s current school. Please inform the school that they should send all pertinent materials, transcripts, records, IEP’s, or other information to The North Branch School.
5. Math Teacher Recommendation
A teacher recommendation from a current math teacher is useful in providing us with more specific information in this area. Please give the form to the applicant’s present math teacher and ask that it be mailed directly to The North Branch School. This recommendation will remain confidential. You may want to provide a stamped and addressed envelope for the convenience of the teacher.
A completed application should include:
- NBS prospective family open-house (masked and in person) for the 2025-26 school year is scheduled for 01/12/2025; 3:30-5PM)
- Application Fee ($50.00, non-refundable/waived by request if a hardship)
- Prospective student’s application (see below)
- Student’s (handwritten) writing sample (other work or art samples are optional and welcome)
- Parents’ form
- Current Math teacher’s recommendation
- Current school’s transcripts and records sent to The North Branch School
- Parent interview/visit with Donna & Joanna (to be arranged)
- Student group visit with Tal/teachers (to be scheduled after application is submitted)
Please mail completed forms to:
Admissions
The North Branch School
P.O. Box 209
Ripton, Vermont 05766
If there are any questions, please call us at 802-388-3269 or email us at [email protected]
