Admissions FAQs

At Vermont Commons School, students who have a diagnosed learning difference, as evidenced by documentation such as a formal diagnosis, an Evaluation, 504 Plan, IEP or the like are eligible for a Student Accommodations Plan (SAP) that offers accommodations and recommendations for the student. In addition to Vermont Commons School tuition, an additional fee of $2,000 is charged for the SAP process. A student’s SAP can be in place until the student graduates or departs for another school. The SAP process includes a review of all documentation, drafting of a SAP in conjunction with parents/guardians, distribution to and support of Faculty members implementing the SAP, application for standardized test accommodations and appeals, and support when a student transitions to college or another institution. If a new diagnosis or evaluation requires the production and implementation of a new SAP for a student already with one, there will be an additional $2,000 fee.

Teachers work with students to meet their needs, but we are not able to support all learning needs or differences. 

Accommodations we offer students who have a SAP include the following.

In the classroom:

• Use of word processor for tests, exams, written assessments and note taking

• Access to digital text and audiobook (if available)

• May record class/lecture and/or receive teacher notes (if available)

• Preferential seating to minimize distractions

• Reduced/no penalty for spelling errors on in-class work

For testing/assessments:

• Extended time on written assessments (quizzes, tests, exams) – 1.5 time

• Use of word processor for tests, exams, written assessments

• May use calculator for math assessments

• May take tests in a smaller/less distracting setting

• Reduced/no penalty for spelling errors on tests, exams

Accommodations we do NOT offer to any VCS student:

• an intensive therapeutic environment

• auxiliary aids (taped course materials, interpreters, Braille, etc.)

• any programming that would fundamentally alter our mission

• modification of curriculum. This includes but is not limited to: Oral assessments, extended time on classroom assignments and reduced workload

• being excused from Encounter Weeks

• a staff member to follow or support an individual student

Tutoring Program:
VCS welcomes external tutors into the building to work with students during their study halls. Vermont Commons maintains a list of Approved Tutors. Families contract directly with these tutors and pay them independently of VCS. VCS provides a consistent, quiet space for the student and tutor to work.

VCS families come from within about an hour’s radius of South Burlington. Some students ride the Tri-Valley Transit from Middlebury to Green Mountain Drive, while others carpool from Stowe and Waterbury or commute down from the Islands. Check out the map of our students’ towns.

VCS is certified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. We accept international students for regular enrollment leading up to and including graduation, as exchange students, and as part of our PG year program. International students should follow the same application steps listed in the How to Apply page.

It is not possible to use sending town tuition to pay tuition at Vermont Commons School. A completely independent private school, VCS holds Recognized School status in the State of Vermont. VCS operates privately with its own Board of Trustees and receives no public funds of any kind from South Burlington, any surrounding town, the State of Vermont, or the federal government. 100% of operational funds come from tuition dollars and donations to the annual fund each year.

Classes operate from 8:30 to 3:30 every day. Vermont Commons offers a flexible drop-off window from 7:30–8:30 a.m. and pick-up from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Vermont Commons School does not offer transportation to and from school. Our Admissions Office can connect new families with others living in their area to coordinate carpools. Some students utilize the public bus system that has a stop at the bottom of Green Mountain Drive. Tri-Valley Transit offers transportation to and from VCS for students coming from Addison County.