About SMS
History and Tradition
Stratton Mountain School provides a unique environment that offers each student the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive winter sports and college preparatory academics while developing strong personal values.
Stratton Mountain School was established in 1972.
Warren Hellman and Donald Tarinelli founded the school for their children to train and compete in high-level alpine skiing without interrupting their high school education. They recruited elite coaches and excellent teachers to join in the new program, and parents provided the housing.
As the idea caught on, SMS purchased an old ski lodge at the bottom of the ski area. The school continued to grow in its reputation and in the number of students that attended. In 1999, the school moved to its present location, a new campus on ten beautiful acres just off the base of Stratton Mountain. SMS constructed new faculty housing, additional dorm space, and state-of-the-art athletic facility in 2005 and built the Patti Kaltsas Education, Arts & Student Center, and the Air Awareness Center in 2014.
Today, SMS compares to New England’s most excellent independent schools as it provides learning, living, and training opportunities second to none. From the beginning, SMS graduates have attended the country’s finest colleges. Many join NCAA teams such as Dartmouth, Middlebury, Williams, Colby, Boston College, Bates, Bowdoin, UVM, and Colorado. More than 100 of our alumni have been named to National Teams, and more than 46 have participated in Olympics Games. Our Olympians include three gold medalists, one silver medalist, two bronze medalists, and several top-10 placements. Due to the energy, dedication, and talent of that pioneering group in 1972, SMS is now a fully accredited institution of 125-135 student-athletes in alpine, nordic, freeskiing, freestyle, and snowboard programs.
As the idea caught on, SMS purchased an old ski lodge at the bottom of the ski area. The school continued to grow in its reputation and in the number of students that attended. In 1999, the school moved to its present location, a new campus on ten beautiful acres just off the base of Stratton Mountain. SMS constructed new faculty housing, additional dorm space, and state-of-the-art athletic facility in 2005 and built the Patti Kaltsas Education, Arts & Student Center, and the Air Awareness Center in 2014.
Today, SMS compares to New England’s most excellent independent schools as it provides learning, living, and training opportunities second to none. From the beginning, SMS graduates have attended the country’s finest colleges. Many join NCAA teams such as Dartmouth, Middlebury, Williams, Colby, Boston College, Bates, Bowdoin, UVM, and Colorado. More than 100 of our alumni have been named to National Teams, and more than 46 have participated in Olympics Games. Our Olympians include three gold medalists, one silver medalist, two bronze medalists, and several top-10 placements. Due to the energy, dedication, and talent of that pioneering group in 1972, SMS is now a fully accredited institution of 125-135 student-athletes in alpine, nordic, freeskiing, freestyle, and snowboard programs.
At a Glance
Stratton Mountain School is an independent boarding and day school that focuses on college preparatory academics and competitive winter sports. Located at the base of Stratton Mountain, SMS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
SMS is a designated U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Site & High Performance Center and is recognized as a Certified Gold Club by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for all five disciplines.
SMS is a designated U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Site & High Performance Center and is recognized as a Certified Gold Club by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for all five disciplines.
List of 12 items.
-
1972
Established -
134
Enrollment -
7-12
Grades & Postgraduate -
21
Average Grade Size -
10
Average Class Size -
48
Course Offerings -
11
Fall & Spring Sports -
46
Olympians -
75
Olympic Team Placements -
6
Olympic Medals -
17
Athletes Namedto a 2018-19 National Team -
118
National Team Athletes
Welcome from the Head of School
Stratton Mountain School is a winter sports academy based at Stratton Mountain in the heart of Southern Vermont’s Green Mountains. Our community of students, teachers, coaches, and administrators share the pursuit of excellence in education and sport.
The school calendar and daily schedules are designed to maximize training time and accommodate competition schedules without sacrificing a well-balanced academic program. Competitive teams include cross country, lacrosse, mountain biking, and soccer, in addition to the ski and snowboard programs at SMS. Residential life is enhanced by weekend activities, community service opportunities, and field trips. Since the school’s inception, nearly every SMS graduate has continued to a four-year college or deferred to pursue a career in ski racing or snowboarding. Many students have pursued an education at colleges such as Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard, Cornell, Middlebury, Williams, and the University of Vermont. Also, Stratton Mountain School’s history includes 75 Olympic team placements and 46 Olympians, and more than 100 National Team members.
Sincerely,
Carson Thurber '02
Stratton Mountain School Head of School
SMS Olympians
Since 1972, Stratton Mountain School has helped more than 100 alumni make national teams, and 46 go on to compete in the Olympics. SMS alumni have won a combined total of six Olympic medals and have captured 75 Olympic Team placements.
Stratton Mountain School
Stratton Mountain School is an independent boarding and day school that focuses on college preparatory academics and competitive winter sports. Located at the base of Stratton Mountain, SMS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
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