[marigold99]

We just learned about this school and would like our high schooler to attend. We currently live in MA and would buy or rent property in VT. Our family's primary breadwinner would be in MA 4-5 days per week and in VT for the other days. The other parent would live in VT with our child, and would look for work in VT. Looking at St Johnsbury School District's tuition voucher form, it's not clear to me if we could meet their requirements for "legal and permanent residency" in St Johnsbury to qualify for the voucher to use at St Johnsbury Academy. Has anyone had experience with this? Also, are the requirements to get a tuition voucher as stringent in the other voucher towns in the St Johnsbury area? Thanks!

[vter]

I would call the district directly. A few years back the district actually considered (and may have) hired a private detective because they were concerned that there were folks claiming residency (but really weren't) in order for their kids to go there.
I've know quite a few people who have picked up and moved to St. Johnsbury so their kids could go to school there. It's a fantastic place (the school that is. the town is....eh).

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by vter

It's a fantastic place (the school that is. the town is....eh).

No denying it. Still, the town has some treasures that are slowly moving things in better directions. Slowly. E.g., Catamount Arts :: Your Community Arts Center

[68vette]

Vter is correct, contact the district. Many schools have different requirements. Some require one year of residency while others don't. One thing you may need to do is register to vote as well as file taxes in Vermont. The downfall to that is having to pay income tax in two states. A library card or drivers license is not enough to prove residency. Many people try to cheat the system by using a vacation home as a residence. Get a drivers licence, library card, register to vote and file your Federal and state taxes in Vermont and you should be covered.

[vter]

I'm guessing that 68vette is correct in the fact that merely renting an apartment in town will probably not help. You'll have to prove residency but proving you have a job, drivers license, etc. It is a fantastic school and people know it and try to cheat the system to get their kids in there so they are very careful.

[LisaMc46]

You would need to make Vermont your primary residence. But, you wouldn't have to live in St. Johnsbury. Other towns that lack their own high schools and aren't part of a union school district (such as Elmore, which is about an hour's drive) can send their children to the academy for free. A real estate agent could tell you which towns would qualify for free tuition.

But, I'd think twice before you make the move. You may spend just as much in gas/rental fees as you would for tuition. Plus, you'd have to deal with the stress of splitting up your family during the school year.

The academy has a boarding school that students from out of state attend. One boy from my town boards there, because the drive is too long, especially in bad weather, and he is very happy, according to his mom.

[Flightman]

If your not willing to become a resident then don't leech off the town for a local resident school voucher. Clearly you just want to use our town and great institution without paying taxes and thus support the local residents who attend the Academy. Clearly the residency requirements were made with people like you in mind.

[OhBeeHave]

Looking at the application process, the school is going to learn that your child has been attending a school in MA. Right off the bat you're sending up a big red flag that you're not a resident. They'll also want your tax return, too. Looks like you're going to have to break down and actually move to the area, become a legitimate resident, and send your child to other schools in the area if you're hoping to get any sort of voucher.

Or, you can do what so many others do -- pay for tuition as opposed to sponging off the hard working residents of the area.