Tilton School
General Information: Tilton School
About (Overview)
Tilton School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school located in Tilton, New Hampshire, serving students in grades 9 through 12 and offering a postgraduate year. Established in 1845, the school is rooted in a long tradition of preparatory education while embracing modern and personalized pedagogical approaches. The mission of Tilton School emphasizes the cultivation of curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and compassion as students navigate a world of diversity and change. With an intentionally small student body, the school provides a community where meaningful relationships with teachers and peers support students as they learn “to do hard things well and go beyond what they thought possible.” The campus, situated in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, offers an environment that leverages both the academic and residential life to foster growth beyond the classroom, giving students opportunities for experiential learning, leadership development, and service.
Contact Information
- Address: 30 School Street, Tilton, New Hampshire 03276, USA
- Phone Number: (603) 286-1733
- Email Address: admissions@tiltonschool.org
School Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1845 |
| Motto | “Quanti Est Sapere – How Valuable Is Wisdom” |
| Grades Served | 9–12, plus Post-Graduate (PG) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Approximately 7 :1 |
| Campus Size | ~146 acres |
| Enrollment | About 200-240 students (day + boarding) |
Tilton School Rankings
| Category | Rank / Status |
|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100% |
| Best Boarding High Schools (NH) | Top 10 among NH boarding schools |
| Most Diverse Private HS (NH) | Ranked ~13 of 34 |
Tilton School Academics
Tilton School Faculties / Departments
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Languages
- Visual & Performing Arts
- Technology & Engineering
- Physical Education & Health
- College Counseling & Advising
Tilton School Courses and Programs / Majors
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses in a variety of disciplines
- Honors and college-preparatory courses
- Personalized Guided Program of Study (PGPS) tailored to student interests
- Postgraduate year for students seeking additional preparation
- Boarding and day student programs with integrated experiential learning
Online Learning
While the Tilton School primarily emphasizes in-person instruction, it leverages digital platforms and blended learning modalities to support student learning, especially for assignments, research and flexible learning options; however, the core curriculum remains campus-based.
Average Test Scores
| Test | Average Score |
|---|---|
| SAT | ~1,230 (based on recent data) |
| ACT | ~24 (based on recent data) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Tilton School maintains a 100% graduation rate, reflecting its strong support systems and personalized academic program. Retention is high due to its intimate community size, resident faculty, day and boarding student integration, and clear focus on student development from grade nine through the postgraduate year.
Tilton School Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Prospective Tilton students typically present with strong academic records, including GPAs suggesting above-average performance. The admitted student population often falls in the upper range of standardized test scores for independent schools, usually above 1,200 on the SAT or between approximately 24-30 on the ACT.
Tilton School Acceptance Rate
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Approximately 52% |
Tilton School Application Requirements
Application to Tilton School involves a comprehensive submission that includes an application form, a record of previous academic achievement (transcripts), standardized test scores (such as the SSAT or equivalent), teacher or counselor recommendations, a personal statement or essay, and sometimes an interview or campus visit. The school seeks students who demonstrate academic curiosity, character, and readiness for a boarding or day college-preparatory environment.
Application Process
- Submit an inquiry and application form to the Admissions Office.
- Provide transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters.
- Attend an interview or visit campus, if recommended.
- Receive decision notification and respond to offer.
- Complete enrollment forms and arrange boarding/day logistics, if applicable.
Tilton School Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Rolling admissions |
| Application Deadline | Varies (often early year) |
| Decision Notifications | Rolling or specific rounds |
Essay Prompt
Applicants are typically asked to submit an essay or personal statement exploring their academic interests, personal growth, and reasons for choosing the Tilton School experience—emphasizing how they might contribute to and benefit from the community.
Tilton School Scholarships
Tilton School offers financial aid to eligible families, merit-based awards, and scholarships intended to broaden access and support students from diverse backgrounds, including international students and those requiring boarding.
Tilton School Tuition and Fees
| Category | Amount (Boarding) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | ~US $66,925 |
| Day Student Portion | ~US $37,000 (approximate) |
| Five-Day Boarding | ~US $58,900 (approximate) |
Tilton School Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
The student body at Tilton comprises approximately equal numbers of male and female students across day, boarding and postgraduate programs. The age range is generally from 14 to 18 years old, with a small number of postgraduate students. Ethnically, the school reports representation including a significant portion of international students (about 20%), students of color, and representation from 20 or more U.S. states and multiple countries.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Tilton School has a strong commitment to inclusion, with approximately 50-65% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The school supports students with learning differences through specialized programs, adaptive learning strategies and small class sizes, although parents should verify specific support services.
Student Body
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Students | ~220 students |
| International Students | ~20% of student population |
University Diversity
Tilton School’s commitment to diversity is evident in its boarding and day student mix, representation from numerous U.S. states and over a dozen international countries, and its emphasis on inclusive community life. This diversity enriches day-to-day interactions, broadens student perspectives, and ensures that students are prepared for a multicultural world. On campus, students collaborate academically, athletically and socially across backgrounds, cultivating empathy, cultural competence and global awareness. Programs, clubs and service initiatives regularly engage students in cross-cultural dialogue, community outreach and leadership. Through this environment, Tilton not only fosters academic skills but also character, citizenship and readiness for civic engagement beyond the classroom.
Average Earnings
While specific alumni salary statistics are not published, graduates of Tilton School are typically well-prepared for four-year higher education institutions and post-secondary success. The school’s rigorous academic preparation, personalized guidance and strong college counseling position students to enter competitive programs and pursue meaningful careers. Alumni go into fields such as business, engineering, health sciences, arts, and international affairs, equipped for long-term earning potential and professional advancement.
Tilton School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Tilton School employs a dedicated faculty with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 7 :1, creating small class sizes and personalized learning. Teachers are experienced in boarding school education, advisory systems, and residential life supervision. The community includes dorm parents, coaches, advisors and specialty program leaders who support students academically and socially.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at Tilton School often hold advanced degrees in their disciplines and engage in ongoing professional development. They contribute to innovative teaching methods, experiential programs and individualized student support. Many are involved in student advising, residential life, athletics or arts leadership, thereby extending their influence beyond the classroom to mentorship and community building.
Tilton School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Tilton School’s campus spans approximately 146 acres in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and includes more than fifteen buildings such as dormitories for boarding students, academic halls, athletics facilities, a creative arts center and a historic library. The residential program offers both 5-day and 7-day boarding options, with dormitory communities that foster leadership, peer interaction and responsibility. Day students integrate fully into campus life through extracurriculars, clubs, athletics and after-school programming. On weekends, boarding students engage in trips, outdoor adventures and community service.
Transportation
The campus is less than two miles from Interstate 93 and about 40 miles from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, making travel accessible. Students arrive by car, school-provided bus or shuttle services; international boarding students can use Boston’s Logan International Airport or nearby Manchester for arrival. Local transport options and supervised weekend excursions ensure safe mobility and connection with the regional environment.