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Indian Mountain School

United States, Lakeville

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $31,250 - 95,840
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 200
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1922
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Spanish, Mandarin, Latin
Typical class size 4
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Indian Mountain School is a day and boarding school for Pre-K through Grade 9, set on a 600-acre, year‑round campus in Lakeville, Connecticut. The campus comprises two locations, Upper and Lower, linked by a common mission to blend rigorous academics with hands-on, experiential learning. Upper grades follow an AP‑focused curriculum; ninth grade features year‑long Applied Biology, AP Precalculus, AP Computer Science Principles, with Harkness-style discussions. The Global Languages Department offers Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish, while an English Language Learner program assists second‑language learners. Visual and Performing Arts and more than 30 electives enrich the curriculum, alongside a robust Outdoor Education program anchored by the Outdoor Working Lab and mountain experiences. Signature facilities include the Qianxun Performing Arts Center and the Morehead Athletic Center, plus Centennial Field and six tennis courts. The campus emphasizes service, sustainability, and global awareness through programs such as International Service Trips and Student Council leadership.

Upper Campus: 211 Indian Mountain Road, Lakeville, CT 06039; Lower Campus: 204 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039

The Essentials

Indian Mountain School has 200 pupils, typical class sizes of 4, instruction in English.

Location
Two campuses in Lakeville, Connecticut. Upper Campus is at 211 Indian Mountain Rd, Lakeville, CT 06039; Lower Campus is at 204 Interlaken Rd, Lakeville, CT 06039. The campus sits on a 600-acre site in the Berkshire Mountains.

Stages
Pre-K through Grade 9. Lower Campus serves Pre-K–Grade 4; Upper Campus serves Grades 5–9.

Type
Day and boarding school for Pre-K through Grade 9.

Pupil Nationality Mix
20+ countries represented; 25% international students.

Additional learning support
Ascend Program provides language-based learning support for Grades 1–4 on the Lower Campus and advanced academic support on the Upper Campus for Grades 5–9.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarders live in seven dormitories on campus. The 7-day boarding program is available to students in grades 6–9, with a weekend program, and a limited 5-day boarding option is also available for grades 6–9.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The school is incorporated as a not-for-profit under Connecticut law to maintain forever a school for the training and education of boys and young men.
Fees

Annual tuition at Indian Mountain School ranges from USD 31,250 to USD 95,840 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- Clarity financial-aid application fee: USD 55 (flat fee per family, covers Clarity submissions).
- Enrollment deposit: a 10% non‑refundable deposit is required upon signing the enrollment agreement; the deposit amount may be adjusted according to any financial aid award.

Tuition fees (2026–2027 academic year) — annual amounts by group
- 7‑Day Domestic Boarding (Grades 6–9): USD 88,385 per year.
- 5‑Day Domestic Boarding (Grades 6–9): USD 82,870 per year.
- International Boarding: USD 95,840 per year.
- Upper Campus Day (Grades 5–9): USD 47,440 per year (includes lunch).
- Lower Campus (Pre‑K through Grade 4): USD 31,250 per year.

Per‑term note
- The school publishes annual tuition rates and structured payment plans rather than a fixed per‑term fee schedule. A per‑term (term-by-term) breakdown is not published; families should use the annual tuition amounts and the school's payment plans for billing dates and installment percentages.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Deposit: 10% non‑refundable deposit due upon signing the enrollment agreement. If a student qualifies for financial aid, the deposit amount will be set according to the award.
- Standard payment plans (after payment of the 10% non‑refundable deposit):
- Plan A: Full payment received on or before June 1 (one payment). (Plan A is the only plan available for international boarding students.)
- Plan B: Two payments — 60% received on or before June 1; 30% received on or before December 1. (Not available to international boarding students.)
- Plan C: Ten monthly payments — payments commence May 1 and 100% is due by February 1 of the following year. (Not available to international boarding students.)
- Tuition refund insurance: optional if tuition is paid in full by August 1; mandatory for families using any of the installment payment options.

Boarding fees and boarding‑specific charges
- Boarding tuition figures noted above include room and board.
- Health Service Fee: USD 430 for boarding students; USD 275 for day students.
- Laundry (boarding): USD 1,430 per year.
- Student bank account (boarding only): USD 200 minimum deposit.
- International health insurance (required for international students): 10‑month plan USD 2,595; 12‑month plan USD 2,895 (purchased through the school portal).
- Weekend boarding program and optional weekend trips: additional costs averaging approximately USD 20–100 per month for boarding students when the school does not fully cover those activities. Ninth‑grade annual June academic trip and other special trips may carry separate charges.

Other costs and recurring fees
- Ascend program (Pre‑K through Grade 4): additional fee USD 9,375 (annual).
- Upper Campus Advanced Academic Support (Grades 5–9): additional fee USD 13,335 (annual).
- Supplies and books:
- Grades 5–9: approximately USD 200–600 (varies by coursework).
- Pre‑K–Grade 4: approximately USD 510.
- Laptop insurance / AppleCare:
- Laptop insurance examples shown: USD 35 for some lower/grade‑level coverage. AppleCare for older grades listed at USD 199 (grades 6–9; subject to AppleCare deductible/policy) and other AppleCare line items are noted in the fee schedule.
- Yearbook: approximately USD 75.
- English Language Learning (ELL), if required:
- Grades 7–9: Level I USD 4,700 per year; Level II USD 9,350 per year.
- Grade 6 ELL follows the 1:1 tutoring fee structure.
- Private music lessons: billed in four installments; approximately USD 2,300 per year.
- Optional instruction (therapeutic / remedial appointments): billed in three installments. Typical annual ranges noted on the fee schedule: one appointment/week USD 3,000; two appointments/week USD 5,900; three appointments/week USD 8,800; four appointments/week USD 11,700.
- Miscellaneous possible charges: damages, school store purchases, testing fees, transportation (including airport transfers), trip fees, spending money, additional tutoring (1:1), school testing and admissions‑interview travel costs — these are billed separately as applicable.

Refund information
- The enrollment deposit (10% of tuition) is explicitly non‑refundable. If a family receives financial aid, the deposit amount will reflect the aid decision. Tuition refund insurance is optional only when tuition is paid in full by August 1; for any other payment plan the school requires tuition refund insurance. The fee schedule does not publish a separate, detailed multi‑line withdrawal refund table in the published Schedule of Fees.

Fee payment options
- Veracross Parent Portal: automatic ACH payments and parent portal billing options are available.
- Flywire: international payments are accepted through Flywire (allows payment from many countries, with local currency and multiple payment methods, and provides tracking of the transfer).
- The published materials describe the available payment plans, deposit requirement, and the use of the Veracross portal and Flywire for payments; families should follow the school's billing procedures and deadlines for the chosen payment plan.

Brief note on requested per‑term figures and what was found
- The school's published Schedule of Fees and Tuition & Financial Aid information list annual tuition by program and the school's payment plan schedules and percentages (deposit plus installment deadlines). A formal per‑term (term-by-term) fee amount is not published; therefore exact per‑term fee figures are not available from the published 2026–2027 materials and cannot be stated without making assumptions based on the annual totals and the chosen payment plan.
Academics

Indian Mountain School teaches Advanced Placement (AP).

Curriculum
Grades 5–9 cover English, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics, with hands-on, field-based learning and a strong emphasis on inquiry. The Global Languages Department offers Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish, introduced in Grade 5 and continued in later grades. The English Language Learning (ELL) program supports second-language learners. Visual & Performing Arts and a broad array of electives (more than 30 courses) are available. Ninth grade features year-long Applied Biology, with AP Precalculus and AP Computer Science Principles, and language study in Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish; ninth-grade instruction uses Harkness-style discussions and includes a Book of Biology project and the Poquonook Solutions Project capstone.

Student Teacher Ratio
4:1

Higher Education Progression
Notable IMS alumni have progressed to secondary schools and higher education, including Berkshire School and Northeastern University; another alumnus attended NYU and Fordham University after IMS.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Health and Wellness Curriculum is designed to support the whole child by building essential social-emotional learning (SEL) skills that empower students to thrive academically, socially, and personally. All students in Pre-K through ninth grade participate in Health and Wellness classes that provide age-appropriate, developmentally responsive instruction in a safe and supportive environment. Each grade has a different focus for the trimester. The Counseling Department offers one-on-one support on a weekly and as-needed basis and implements age-specific programming for small groups to encourage social and emotional growth. Peer Mediators are ninth-grade student leaders trained to mediate disagreements or challenges between students. The Health Center is staffed by four nurses, with a local physician providing on-campus clinic hours as needed.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
An on-site Learning Specialist provides academic support. Three on-site school counselors offer one-on-one and small-group support to foster social-emotional and academic growth. Eva Hodosy is the School Counselor and Learning Specialist responsible for coordinating academic support and student health. The Health and Wellness team is led by the Director of Student Health and Wellness, who oversees health, counseling, and student support services.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Health and Wellness Curriculum and Counseling Department. Students have access to one-on-one counseling on a weekly and as-needed basis and participate in age-appropriate group programming for social-emotional growth. Peer Mediators provide peer-to-peer support to strengthen connections and reduce conflicts within the IMS community. The Health Center and Medical staff provide daily health care to support overall well-being.
Parent Experience

History
Indian Mountain School was founded in 1922 by Francis Behn Riggs. It began as The Riggs School, a boarding school and working farm for boys of modest means. The school's motto is Life Through Service. In 1928 the main building burned, and the present structure opened in September 1929 after funds were raised to rebuild. In 2022 IMS celebrated its centennial, marked by the ribbon cutting for our Field House and Centennial Field on October 14, 2022.

Community
IMS maintains an active calendar of community events for families, alumni, and students. Notable events include Fall Family Weekend (October 22-24, 2026) with a Secondary School Admissions Panel and Q&A; Grandparents and Special Friends Day; and Mountain Fest, a community celebration with music and food. The school supports ongoing family and alumni engagement through events like Young Alumni Sunday Supper and regional receptions. Weekend activities for boarding students offer day trips and on-campus events to connect with the larger community, including Broadway shows, museum trips, and local outings.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
IMS has an active Parent Association led by Shannon Brown P'25,28. The advancement office coordinates parent engagement alongside an Alumni and Parent Engagement team (Heather Adams) and the Senior Associate Director of Advancement (Meredith Gal). Donor programs recognize Parent Association involvement among broader giving circles, including the 1922 Society, Century Society, Courage to Climb Society, Life Through Service Society, Maroon and Gray Society, Francis Behn Riggs Founder's Society, Head of School's Circle, Becket Society, and Falcon Society. The 1922 Society begins at $1,000; Century Society at $100,000+, Courage to Climb Society at $50,000+, Life Through Service Society at $25,000-$49,999; Maroon and Gray Society at $15,000-$24,999; Francis Behn Riggs Founder's Society at $10,000-$14,999; Head of School's Circle at $5,000-$9,999; Becket Society at $2,500-$4,999; and Falcon Society at $1,000-$2,499. The association collaborates with the advancement staff to organize events and support IMS programs.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Indian Mountain School sits on a 600‑acre campus that serves as a year‑round classroom. The campus includes a Dining Commons, the Qianxun Performing Arts Center, the Morehead Athletic Center, the Outdoor Working Lab, and other campus improvements. The Qianxun Performing Arts Center opened in January 2025 and provides spaces for theater, music, dance, and visual arts. The Morehead Athletic Center opened on April 14, 2023 and includes two basketball courts (also used for volleyball and tennis), a fitness center, training rooms, four squash courts, and a viewing gallery; Centennial Field is a synthetic turf soccer/lacrosse venue, and six tennis courts were built in 2020 on the south side of the Upper Campus. The Outdoor Working Lab is a net‑zero, 1,500‑square‑foot outdoor classroom powered by a solar field at the base of the mountain, and serves as a learning and community space.

Sports Facilities
The Morehead Athletic Center is a 23,000‑square‑foot facility with two basketball courts (also used for volleyball and tennis), a fitness center, training rooms, four squash courts, and a viewing gallery. Centennial Field is a synthetic turf field used by boys' and girls' soccer and lacrosse teams, providing premier space especially during wet shoulder seasons. Six tennis courts were added in 2020 on the south side of the Upper Campus. The athletic facilities support year‑round, all‑school and community events, and the campus emphasizes sustainability with geothermal wells and solar panels.

Academic Facilities
The Qianxun Performing Arts Center houses theater, music, dance, and visual arts spaces, with a stage and acoustics, lighting, and gallery areas for performances and exhibitions. The Outdoor Adventure & Education program uses the Mountain as a Classroom to combine academics with health, wellness, and experiential learning, including hiking trips and outdoor activities. The Outdoor Working Lab (OWL) is a 1,500‑square‑foot net‑zero building at the base of the mountain, powered by a solar array, where students can read, conduct science experiments, and study in an outdoor setting. The OWL and related programs connect classroom learning with real‑world environmental and experiential experiences.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Weekend Activities offer boarders a wide range of experiences beyond the campus, including on‑campus outdoor events and trips to nearby destinations. Examples include Broadway shows in Times Square, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, Central Park visits, Yankee Stadium trips, zip lining at Catamount Ski Resort, and various local amusements. Off‑campus excursions also feature trips to Six Flags and other regional attractions, as well as natural and cultural excursions. IMS also hosts organized events such as The Falcon Games, The Falcon Festivities, and The Falcon Fling throughout the year.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a broad range of electives and clubs beyond core academics. Recent electives and clubs include 3D Printing, Chess, Chinese Calligraphy, Coding and Design, Dance, Digital Photography, Financial Literacy, Haunted Trail Design, Intro to Mountaineering, Intro to Ukulele, Lacrosse, Lego Builders, Lower Campus Mentors, Math Counts, Model UN, School Newspaper, Set Design, Sewing, Soccer, Student Council, Studio Art, Sustainability, Tennis, The Art of Cooking, Theater, Weight Room Fundamentals, Yearbook, and Yoga. This program encourages exploration outside the standard academic day and supports inquiry, collaboration, and hands‑on learning.

Arts & Creative
The IMS offers 16 Art & Theater offerings including The Fall Play, The Spring Musical, and Studio Art Intensive. There are 17 sports teams including Squash, Swimming, Skiing/Snowboarding, and Equestrian. There are 15 music offerings including Rock Band, Jazz Band, Guitar 101, and Orchestra. The arts program also includes Theater, Studio Art, Dance, and Digital Photography.

Cultural & Language
The Lower Campus Spanish program introduces language learning to Pre‑K through Grade 4, aiming to make language learning engaging and developmentally appropriate. Model UN and Chinese Calligraphy are among electives reflecting cross‑cultural exploration. The school offers International Service Trips as part of its clubs and electives. These offerings complement the Spanish program and cultivate global awareness.

Social & Hobbies
Weekend Activities provide boarders with a wide range of experiences, from Broadway shows in Times Square to ice skating, Central Park visits, Yankee Stadium, and local outings. The athletics program includes 32 teams across 18 sports, with offerings such as soccer, lacrosse, mountain biking, equestrian, flag football, and various winter and spring sports. Intramural sports are also offered as part of the activities calendar. On‑campus facilities support recreation and sport, including multiple fields, courts, a climbing wall, ropes courses, and a gym.

Community & Service
The school motto is Life Through Service. More than 40 clubs and electives include International Service Trips, underscoring a commitment to service and global engagement. Outdoor Adventure & Education trips provide leadership, teamwork, and personal growth opportunities for students across grade levels.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities include Student Council and Lower Campus Mentors, listed among electives. Model UN is offered as an elective, promoting leadership, public speaking, and diplomacy. The Fall Play and Spring Musical provide opportunities for students to take on leadership roles in performance and production.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The athletics program offers 32 teams across 18 sports and includes a wide range of on‑campus facilities such as a mountain bike course, climbing towers, gym, and squash courts. Winter offerings include ice hockey, squash, swimming, skiing, and snowboarding, while fall and spring include soccer, tennis, lacrosse, cross country, and golf. Outdoor Adventure & Education emphasizes learning outdoors with a mountain‑as‑classroom approach, trips, and ropes courses that support mindfulness and physical well‑being.
Languages

Language Provision
Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish are taught as global languages. Fifth graders are introduced to the Global Languages Department to explore Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish, with a cursory introduction to each language and culture to help determine which language to study in later years. Beginning in Grade 6, students enroll in Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish, with emphasis on communication and cultural exploration beyond their native language. IMS also offers an English Language Learning (ELL) program for second-language learners to develop the skills needed to transition to English the following year.
Admissions

Admissions
Applying Grades 5 to 9: 1) Complete online inquiry form. 2) Email or call to schedule a campus tour and interview; it is not necessary to have completed the application prior to the visit. 3) Complete online application. We also accept the Standard Application Online (SAO). Transcript, teacher recommendations, and testing (if applicable) can be sent directly to the Admissions Office. International applicants are required to take and submit a TOEFL Junior test. 4) If applying for financial aid, contact the Admissions Office for details. Decisions are made on a rolling basis. The deadline for international students is December 15. To inquire about other deadlines, please contact the Admissions Office. Applying Pre-K to Grade 4: 1) Complete online inquiry form. 2) Email or call to schedule a tour of our Lower School. It is not necessary to have completed the application prior to the visit. 3) Complete online application. 4) For 2027–2028 Pre-Kindergarten applicants, attend our winter on-campus group screening/play date on January 23, 2027 for priority consideration. Pre-Kindergarten applicants must be four years of age on or before October 15 of the intended enrollment year; children whose birthdays fall within two weeks after the October 15 cutoff may be considered on an individual, case-by-case basis, pending available space and developmental readiness. 5) For 2027–2028 K – Grade 4 applicants, schedule a classroom visit and screening for your child. Please contact the Admissions Office (admissions@indianmountain.org) for openings and more information. 6) If applying for financial aid, please contact the Admissions Office (admissions@indianmountain.org) for details. Application deadline for the 2027-2028 school year: February 1, 2027. Notification of Decision: February 15, 2027. Decisions for K-Grade 4 will be made on a rolling basis if space allows after March 1, 2027. Please contact the Admissions Office (admissions@indianmountain.org) for openings and more information. Indian Mountain School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid and loan programs, and other school administered programs.

Scholarships
Town Scholar Merit Scholarship: One full scholarship to a rising 7th or 8th grade admissions candidate. The scholarship is open to students from area towns with strong academic records and commendable attributes measured by extracurricular participation in athletics, community service, and the arts. The scholarship is renewable annually, contingent on approval by the Town Scholar committee. In addition to the regular admissions requirements, students must submit an essay entitled, 'How I Will Make the Most of the IMS Experience.' The application process, including interview, must be completed by February 1, 2020. The scholarship committee will notify applicants of their final decisions by March 1, 2020. For additional information, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@indianmountain.org.
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