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Work Program

Work Program

Our Work Program has been a unique part of Putney since the beginning. Every student contributes to our community through work, which instills leadership, resilience, and teamwork. We work hard, and have fun doing it.

Student-Run Stewardship

We believe in the dignity and relevance of physical work, and we believe students are responsible, capable and trustworthy. The Work Program provides a setting where students can further their understanding of the relationship between work, home, and community life. The result of participation is empowerment.

Our Objectives

Teach students about the value of physical work.

Instill a sense of self-reliance and the importance of providing for oneself.

Foster a sense of pride and dignity in work well done and in making a meaningful contribution to the community as a whole.

Instill a sense of caring for our place and the environment in which we live.

Provide an alternative setting in which adults can mentor students.

Teach self-discipline and responsibility toward others through assignment to a variety of jobs.

Provide instruction in practical life skills: how to manage time and work on a schedule, call in sick, take direction, resolve problems in the workplace, work together with others toward a common goal.

Provide instruction in specific job skills, i.e. carpentry, cooking, farming, forestry.

Use the campus as a laboratory in which the students strengthen their understanding of classroom material by application in a real-life setting.

Program Structure

Students must satisfy six work distribution requirements including: lunch service, dinner waiting, dish crew, barn crew, general substitute, and a land-use afternoon activity. Students take an active role in assigning and supervising work at The Putney School. This student Work Committee consists of seven students (each covering a particular area: barn, general subs, breakfast, lunch, dinner, classrooms, and secretary), who assign each student a job (6 days of 30-40 minute work) and supervise them. These job assignments last for a trimester. At the end of each trimester, students fill out a request for the next trimester’s job.

Work Jobs

Whether it’s stoking the oven in the morning, cleaning out the cow barn in the afternoon, or helping out in the library, we offer a wide range of jobs that fit all types of personalities, abilities and schedules. Students gain hands-on, real-world skills, and often fall in love with the work they’re doing to contribute to our community.

Explore Work Jobs

Work Activities

While a land-use work activity is required, students can also participate in afternoon group activities in addition to their normal job. From helping to maintain our trail system, to collecting apples and making cider, to doing community service off campus, our work activities are interesting and varied.

Explore Work Activities

Work Days

Three times a year, during Spring Work Day, Fall Work Day and our Charitable Work Day, we take a break from classes and afternoon activities to do the sorts of chores that need to get done on an annual or semi-annual basis, and require many hands (which we hear makes light work.)

Learn More

Work Program

Student-Run Stewardship

Our Objectives

Teach students about the value of physical work.

Instill a sense of self-reliance and the importance of providing for oneself.

Foster a sense of pride and dignity in work well done and in making a meaningful contribution to the community as a whole.

Instill a sense of caring for our place and the environment in which we live.

Provide an alternative setting in which adults can mentor students.

Teach self-discipline and responsibility toward others through assignment to a variety of jobs.

Provide instruction in practical life skills: how to manage time and work on a schedule, call in sick, take direction, resolve problems in the workplace, work together with others toward a common goal.

Provide instruction in specific job skills, i.e. carpentry, cooking, farming, forestry.

Use the campus as a laboratory in which the students strengthen their understanding of classroom material by application in a real-life setting.

Program Structure

Work Jobs

Work Activities

Work Days

Fundamental Beliefs

Outdoor Experiences and Stewardship

Sustainability

The Putney Core

Student-Run Stewardship

Our Objectives

Teach students about the value of physical work.

Instill a sense of self-reliance and the importance of providing for oneself.

Foster a sense of pride and dignity in work well done and in making a meaningful contribution to the community as a whole.

Instill a sense of caring for our place and the environment in which we live.

Provide an alternative setting in which adults can mentor students.

Teach self-discipline and responsibility toward others through assignment to a variety of jobs.

Provide instruction in practical life skills: how to manage time and work on a schedule, call in sick, take direction, resolve problems in the workplace, work together with others toward a common goal.

Provide instruction in specific job skills, i.e. carpentry, cooking, farming, forestry.

Use the campus as a laboratory in which the students strengthen their understanding of classroom material by application in a real-life setting.

Program Structure

Work Jobs

Work Activities

Work Days

Keep Exploring

Fundamental Beliefs

Outdoor Experiences and Stewardship

Sustainability

The Putney Core