3266 Jersey Street
Panton, VT 05491

This is a great elementary school. The teachers and administrators are very dedicated and caring. The PE program is amazing, with swimming, ice skating, XC skiing, rollerblading, a ropes course, etc. The whole school participates in a summer or winter Olympics every other year with opening & closing ceremonies. Each class “becomes” a country and competes in events while classmates cheer. They learn about the countries, take the Olympic pledge of sportsmanship, and even experience different foods in the cafeteria. The school also puts on wonderful concerts, dance shows, sporting and academic events. Students with special needs are 100% included and receive top notch instruction. The facility is inviting, with a nice library, gym, and playgrounds. After school and vacation care is available as well as enrichment opportunities (such as cooking, game clubs, music, sewing, and homework help). Communication with families is frequent and teachers are all responsive to emails and phone calls. The school is in the center of the small town, on the same campus as the middle/high school and all the schools are easy and safe to walk or bike to from anyplace in Vergennes.

VUHS is the best high school in the county, hands down. Vergennes is a small community that cares about its students and school district. There is support for school sports teams, music program, and budgets. Because it’s a small school, students are free to be themselves and explore all their interests: sports and theater or student council and tech center, for example. Many outstanding teachers work at this school and the current district administration and school board are among the best in the state. The handling of the COVID pandemic and communication with parents has been excellent, from food delivery early on to the many changes in masking/testing, and now with increased mental health supports for students. A fair number of AP and advanced classes are offered, as well as agriculture, tech classes, and a highly esteemed, fully outdoor program called Walden. Annual school musicals are top notch. The rowing team and environmental club are two unique groups. The facility is in excellent condition thanks to recent updates, with two beautiful gyms, a large and comfortable auditorium, modern science, art, and music classrooms, and hallways that are clean and attractive. My kids enjoyed their HS experiences at VUHS and are now having great success at highly competitive colleges. This school prepares students for college and/or successful entry into a career or training program without making kids feel less than for whichever choice they make. Most importantly, it prepares students for life by instilling values, friendship, and resiliency.