Admissions

Why VA

Be True to Your Best Self

We create a safe space, rich in endless opportunity, where students are known, heard, and happy to learn. Because we’re a small preparatory high school, we can focus on developing the whole student into a confident, inspired, and ambitious learner. From our comprehensive academic opportunities to our exciting athletic and arts programs, we're able to ensure our students can explore their passions. At Vermont Academy, our students know they are valued for who they are as much as who we believe they can become—and who they become is limitless.

“Vermont Academy to me is all about community. The main reason I chose VA and the main reason I love it is because of our accepting, friendly, caring community.”
Zoee ’19

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Attend an Admissions Event

If you’re entering grades 9 through 12 or a post-graduate year and are interested in learning more about life on our hilltop located in the foothills of the majestic Green Mountains in Southern Vermont, we encourage you to submit an inquiry or attend one of our upcoming events. Our Admissions team is here to welcome you, introduce you to our college preparatory programs, and most importantly, to make sure that during your experience, you learn firsthand what you can explore, aspire, and achieve as a Vermont Academy student. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

Ready to Start Your Vermont Academy Journey?

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Meet the Admissions Team

List of 5 members.

Nora Dock

Director of Admissions

802.869.6258

Drexel University - MS
Mills College - BA

Bio
Nora Dock joined the Vermont Academy Admissions team in 2021 after spending several years in international student recruitment and programming at an independent school in Austin, Texas. With a passion for fostering academic excellence and personal growth, Nora has been instrumental in shaping the school’s enrollment management plan with an eye towards sustainable, mission appropriate growth. Her background in international education and commitment to student success have found a perfect match in the Vermont Academy community values.

Outside of her professional role, Nora enjoys exploring Vermont’s natural beauty, knitting, and engaging in community outreach initiatives. Nora is the proud parent to three Vermont Academy Wildcats: Amalia '22, Cole '24, and YeHoon '28. Her husband Sean Allen is on the math and art faculty at Vermont Academy. Nora and her family live off campus with their elderly dogs (Petunia and Gerturde) and their even more elderly cats (Louisa and Charlie).
Dave Hodgson '89

Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement

802.869.6255

St. Lawrence University - BA

Bio
Dave has been working in boarding schools since graduating from college but he has had a long involvement with Vermont Academy. He spent three years here as a boarding student, graduating in 1989, and he also worked at the school from 1996-2002 as a Spanish teacher. He returned to the Academy in 2007 as Dean of Residential Life and took over at the Admissions helm in the summer of 2011. He was appointed Dean of Students in the summer of 2013. After a stint in the Deans Office Dave returned to Admissions in 2017. He is currently the Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement

He loves the fact that the boarding school environment gives him the opportunity to work with students in all areas of their lives and not just in the classroom. He enjoys spending his free time snowshoeing on the fabulous Vermont Academy Nordic trails, hiking, golfing, and hanging out with his family. Mr. Hodgson lives a mile from campus with his wife, Amanda, and children, Maggie '21, and Charlie '25.
Caitlin Wilkins

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

802.869.6207

Saint Michael's College - BA

Bio
A former Associate Director of Admissions at Vermont Academy, Cait Wilkins experience as a graduate of an independent boarding school allows her to offer a personal understanding of the experience to prospective students and families. Finding the right fit school is an exciting process, and she looks forward to helping families and students discover Vermont Academy. A personalized Admissions visit is a significant first step as students envision themselves on VA’s Long Walk.

Cait holds a BA from Saint Michael’s College in history and education, focusing on secondary school transformations. She also completed graduate coursework in educational leadership and student retention at Northern Vermont University and received a certificate in Women in Leadership from Cornell University.

Cait loves to explore historic sites in New England, play tennis, hike local trails, and listen to podcasts over a good puzzle in her spare time. Cait lives on campus with her partner, Patrick, and labrador retriever, Cabot, in 25 House.
Brian Allen '14

Assistant Director of Admissions / Head Coach, Boys' Varsity Hockey

802.869.6613

Western Connecticut State University - BA

Bio
Brian Allen ’14 returned to join Vermont Academy as the Varsity Head Boys’ Hockey coach and as a History Faculty and Admissions team member. Brian’s education includes a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in History and Communication from Western Connecticut State University. Brian is a 2014 Alumni of Vermont Academy, where he was Class President, a captain of the hockey team and soccer team, and the 2014 winner of the Vermont Academy Shanahan Cup. Brian played junior hockey for the New Jersey Rockets after he graduated from VA, then continued to Worcester State University, where he played NCAA Division III hockey.

Brian brings a wealth of knowledge to the ice and can interact with his players personally, striving to bring out the best in each. Before joining the VA family, Brian was deeply involved in the junior hockey world. Most recently he was an Associate Head Coach for the Junior Danbury Hat Tricks. In this role, he coached the team’s defense and recruited high-level players from the NAHL, CCHL, EHL, USPHL, and OJHL. Brian planned and participated in all aspects of the operation of the Hat Tricks and was instrumental in the success of this newly formed Junior team.
Brian is very excited to return to Saxtons River after having such fond memories at VA as a student. His experiences as a student were positive and instrumental in his growth as a person. He looks forward to giving back to a place that gave so much to him. In addition to hockey, Brian enjoys golfing, Netflix, working out, and spending time with his family. Brian will live on-campus in Jones house.
Madison Paydos '18

Assistant Director of Admissions / Head Coach, Girls' Varsity Hockey

802.869.6651

Utica University - BBA

Bio
Maddie Paydos ‘18 is returning to Vermont Academy as the Head Coach of the Varsity Girls’ Hockey team and as an Assistant Director of Admissions. Upon graduation from VA, Maddie furthered her athletic and academic career at Utica University playing NCAA Division III hockey for three years, and in her final year, was brought onto the coaching staff as an assistant coach. She received her bachelor's degree in Sports Management.

Maddie has a vast knowledge of the hockey world and is able to bring many useful perspectives to her players. Not only does she have experience coaching at the NCAA level but has also gained experience with the AHL having interned with the Utica Comets. Hockey is Maddie’s passion and she plans to help cultivate her players to be both confident athletes as well as confident, kind members of the community.

She is very excited to be rejoining the Vermont Academy community, it has always been like home to her. Her experiences as a student were instrumental in helping her become who she is today, and she wants other students to have that same experience. In addition to hockey, Maddie enjoys hiking, playing card games, Netflix, and spending time with friends and family. Maddie lives on-campus as a dorm parent in Sturtevant house.