High Mowing School: Tuition, Academics, and Waldorf Education
High Mowing School, founded in 1942, is a private, co-educational boarding and day school located in Wilton, New Hampshire. Rooted in the educational theories of Rudolf Steiner and adapted to the American soul, High Mowing serves students from prekindergarten through grade 12, including students from the United States and abroad. The school aims to cultivate creativity, intellect, compassion, and responsible decision-making in its students.
Core Values and Educational Philosophy
Inspired by a love and respect for the highest potential in each human being, High Mowing School awakens capacities of creativity, intellect, compassion, and the will to make life choices with integrity and responsibility. Working from the ideals of Waldorf education, adapted to the needs of the American soul and spirit, we deeply value our natural environment and New England campus; beauty and simplicity; the uniqueness of each individual; the truth, beauty, and goodness of knowledge; the artistry and creativity that harmonizes all that we experience; finishing each task we begin; and passion for all that lives.
The school emphasizes engaged and active learning through a liberal arts curriculum. Nestled in the Monadnock Region, the campus was once the family home of its founder, Beulah Hepburn Emmet. The school's name, "High Mowing," reflects its hilltop farm location and the New England tradition of mowing hayfields.
Academics
Developing rigorous, imaginative thinking is at the core of the High Mowing math, science and humanities courses. The academic structure at High Mowing includes:
- Main Lesson Block: Each day begins with a 1 hour and 45-minute integrative class that runs for three to four weeks. Subjects include history, literature, drama, science, and mathematics. Students create a "Block Book" to document their work. Approximately one third of blocks are devoted to the sciences and one third to historical subjects. Others focus on drama, literature, or math.
- Track Classes: Following the Main Lesson Block, students attend four track classes each day. These courses cover English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, History, World Languages, and Studio and Performing Arts. Underclassmen typically take required courses in sequence.
- Electives: Upperclassmen who have completed core requirements can choose elective courses.
High Mowing requires four years of track classes in Language Arts, Natural Sciences, and Studio & Performing Arts, three years in Mathematics and Physical Education, and two in World Language and History.
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High Mowing School offers AP/Advanced Courses such as Calculus and Chemistry with Lab, as well as Honors courses like Great European Novels and Pre-Calculus Honors Challenge. Statistics is also available.
Special Programs and Activities
In addition to the core curriculum, High Mowing offers several special programs:
- Naturalist studies
- Fine and applied arts
- Apprenticeship pottery program
- Farm and garden program
- An annual, immersive, interest-based two-week "Projects Block."
Students also have the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of studio and performing arts, digital arts, naturalist courses, sports and other engaging activities.
Traditions
High Mowing School has several unique traditions:
- Chapel: Originally a weekly spiritual event, Chapel is now held less frequently and serves as a time for reflection on the world and personal responsibilities.
- Christmas Play: An annual theatrical and musical event depicting the birth of Jesus, held on the night before Winter Break. A large Christmas tree is brought into the main room of the main building on campus. The event is preceded by an all-school holiday dinner, and semi-formal dress is appreciated.
- May Day: A spring celebration open to the public, featuring a pottery sale, musical performances, cake walks, games, a grease pole, a cow plop competition, and the Maypole Dance. The Maypole is a tall wooden pole buried in the ground on the center green-space and is a metaphor for the fertility of spring. Students hold colored bands originating at the top of the pole and dance around each other on the ground, creating a weave pattern of the fabric on the pole. The May Day Play, is a skit put on by students and faculty.
Athletics
High Mowing considers regular physical activity essential to the well-being of its students. Every student participates in Morning Activity before Main Lesson Block, which changes with the block. Activities include ultimate Frisbee, yoga, dance, walking, and games. Afternoon activities include both team sports and other activities. High Mowing is a member of NEPSAC District Two and competes with other New England schools with boys'/girls' soccer in the fall, boys'/girls' basketball in the winter, and boys' baseball and girls' lacrosse in the spring. Other afternoon activities may include, depending on the year and season, cross-country running, skiing, and hiking.
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Tuition and Financial Aid
The yearly tuition for High Mowing School is $40,397. Additional costs to consider include fees, uniforms, and other extras.
Approximately 40% of the students at High Mowing receive tuition assistance. These awards vary in amounts, based in family circumstances. Scholarships available: Beulah Hepburn Emmet Scholarship, Ann Friedl Scholarship, Sandy Brooks Scholarship, Robert Pittman Scholarship, Diversity Scholarship, The Cabin Fund, The Geraldine ROSSE Mathews '49 Fund, The High Mowing Music Fund, The Abby YANDELL '10 Scholarship Fund, The Gus MEISSNER '10 Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Fund.
Full Tuition, Room, and Board: $65,827. International Student Fee: $1,950. ESL Learning Lab Fees. Other Fees - Varies.
Admissions
High Mowing welcomes students from around the globe. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. High Mowing School accepts the Standard Application Online (SAO). The Duolingo English test is required for non-native English speakers to assess English proficiency and determine the appropriate ESL level. ELS placement is determined by the Duolingo score. Submit your transcripts, recent grades, and any standardized test scores (if available) for academic readiness. Upon acceptance, families receive an official acceptance letter detailing the enrollment steps. Upon acceptance, we have various programs to support international students. Fees vary by program.
School Information
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 361 students
- Average class size: 22 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Colors: White, Green, Green and White
- Learning Difference Programs: Yes
- Learning Programs Supported: Mild Learning Differences, evaluated on an individual basis
- Total Classroom Teachers: 54 teachers
The average private school tuition in Hillsborough County, NH is $12,381 for elementary schools and $16,140 for high schools. The average acceptance rate in Hillsborough County, NH is 85%.
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