Photo: Jessamyn West · CC BY-SA 2.5Orwell’s public schools outscore 58% of Vermont districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Orwell, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 92% of Orwell’s students graduate on time, above the Vermont average (82%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Vermont, not nationally.
From Vermont state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Orwell’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 238 Vermont towns with household incomes within a quarter of Orwell’s, its schools beat 67%, higher than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 44% and 33% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Vermont (the state reports Orwell’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $26,281 per student, against $25,064 across Vermont (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Fair Haven Union Middle and High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Orwell’s grade
B: better than 58% of Vermont school districts. Graduation is above the Vermont average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Orwell, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Orwell
Orwell Village School
Grades PK–6 · 115 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Orwell
Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Grades 7–12 · 499 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Fair Haven
8th grade in Orwell
Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Grades 7–12 · 499 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Fair Haven
9th grade in Orwell
Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Grades 7–12 · 499 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Fair Haven
10th grade in Orwell
Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Grades 7–12 · 499 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Fair Haven
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Orwell
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Orwell vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Vermont towns that share Orwell’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Orwell | B | Slate Valley Unified Union School District 62 PK–12 · Slate Valley Unified Union |
| Shoreham | B | Addison Central Unified PK–12 · Addison Central Supervisory District |
| Benson | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District 62 PK–12 · Slate Valley Unified Union |
| Whiting | — | Otter Valley Unified Union School District 53 PK–12 · Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union |
| Sudbury | — | Otter Valley Unified Union School District 53 PK–12 · Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union |
Putnam, NY and Ticonderoga, NY border Orwell but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Orwell
2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Vermont’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Orwell’s schools
Are Orwell’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Vermont: the public schools Orwell children attend outscore 58% of Vermont’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Orwell in?
Slate Valley Unified Union School District 62, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,175 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
What is Orwell’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Slate Valley Unified Union School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Vermont.
How much does Orwell spend per student?
$26,281 in Slate Valley Unified Union School District 62 (FY2024), against $25,064 across Vermont. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Orwell families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Orwell → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Vermont. Stars are from neighbors.