Bard College at Simons Rock

What Bard College at Simons Rock does

Bard College at Simons Rock is a private, four-year liberal arts institution operating as a constituent college of Bard College. Founded in 1966 by Elizabeth Blodgett Hall in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, it pioneered the "early college" model, enrolling intellectually advanced students typically after the 10th or 11th grade to begin college-level study at an average entry age of 16. The institution operates two integrated academic pathways: Bard Academy, a boarding and day two-year high school for 9th–10th graders launched in 2015, and the Simon's Rock Early College program, which culminates in an Associate of Arts (AA) degree and provides direct matriculation to Bard College for the Bachelor of Arts (BA). Faculty are credentialed at an 8:1 student–faculty ratio with 95% holding the highest degree in their field. Dual-degree engineering partnerships with Columbia University and Dartmouth College extend the academic surface, while a permanent Field Station in Montserrat (acquired 2023) supports tropical ecology and sustainability study abroad.

The business model is tuition-driven subscription revenue: college students are billed approximately $94,810 annually (2026–2027) and academy students approximately $77,062, inclusive of room and board. Annual fees for health services, activities, and enrollment are layered on top, with optional health and tuition insurance available. Over 80% of students receive substantial financial aid, with merit awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per year through the Academic Excellence Program. Donations via planned giving, stock transfers, and donor-advised funds form a secondary revenue stream, alongside federal financial aid (FAFSA, CSS Profile). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through admissions counselors, Discovery Days, campus visits, virtual tours, and a student ambassador program, with international recruitment supporting TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo applicants through a PACE English-language pathway.

In 2025, the institution relocated operations from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to Bard College's Massena Campus in Barrytown, New York — physically consolidating with its parent under President Leon Botstein. The Early College Research Institute (ECRI), launched in 2020, extends Simon's Rock's intellectual footprint beyond enrolled students by certifying other early college educators and maintaining the National Early College Honors Society. Accreditation is held through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (and NEASC-CIS for the Academy), and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Bard College at Simons Rock

Legal name

Simon's Rock at Bard College

Website

https://simons-rock.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Bard College at Simons Rock is a private early college institution (founded 1966) affiliated with Bard College, enrolling intellectually advanced students after 10th or 11th grade into an AA pathway with direct BA matriculation, supported by an 8:1 faculty ratio and dual-degree engineering partnerships with Columbia and Dartmouth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Early College

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Selective/Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Secular/Nonsectarian Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAG), Honors Liberal Arts Colleges (Honors College/Program-Led) (EDAHACAL)

Keywords

• Early college education
• Liberal arts college
• College preparatory academy
• Dual engineering degrees
• Accelerated academics

Headquarters

HQ city

Great Barrington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition, which varies by program. Academy students pay $54,020 tuition plus $20,790 room and board annually. College students pay $71,950 tuition plus $20,790 room and board. Additional fees include health services, activity fees, enrollment fees, and optional health/tuition insurance.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The institution receives donations through various channels including planned giving, stock donations, donor advised funds, matching gifts, and wire transfers. Tax ID/EIN is 14-1713034.
3. Financial Aid and Scholarships: Over 80% of students receive substantial financial assistance. Merit scholarships include Founder's Scholarship ($50,000/year), Provost's Scholarship ($25,000/year), and Faculty Scholarship ($10,000/year) through the Academic Excellence Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Simon's Rock at Bard College is the pioneering early college experience, providing a rigorous liberal arts education to students who begin college after 10th or 11th grade. The institution awards the Associate of Arts (AA) degree after two years with direct matriculation to Bard College for the Bachelor of Arts (BA). It also operates Bard Academy (a two-year high school for 9th-10th graders) and runs specialized programs including dual-degree engineering with Columbia University and Dartmouth College, the Montserrat study abroad Field Station, the Early College Research Institute (ECRI), and the National Early College Honors Society.

Product overview

Bard College at Simon's Rock operates as an early college educational institution with two main academic pathways: Bard Academy (a two-year preparatory high school program for students in 9th and 10th grade) and Simon's Rock Early College (for students entering after 10th or 11th grade). The institution offers associate of arts (AA) and bachelor of arts (BA) degrees through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Additional programs include dual-degree engineering partnerships with Columbia University and Dartmouth College, a study abroad program in Montserrat, the Early College Research Institute (ECRI) for pedagogy research and certification, and the National Early College Honors Society (NECHS). The institution is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and NEASC-CIS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Early College Research Institute (ECRI): Research institute launched in 2020 that fosters research, preservation, and implementation of early college practices. Comprises four core areas: pedagogy, research and archives, program development and review, and recognizing achievements of Early College students.
• Simon's Rock Field Station in Montserrat

Products and services

• Simon's Rock Early College (AA Degree Program) The pioneering early college experience for ambitious students ready to accelerate after 10th or 11th grade. Offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum culminating in an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, with direct pathway to Bard College for a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
• Bard Academy The nation's first two-year high school for boarding and day students, providing a seamless transition from tenth grade to early college at Bard College at Simon's Rock. Located on Bard College's Massena Campus.
• BA Degree Program at Bard College After earning the AA, students directly matriculate to Bard College to complete the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in two additional years, serving as junior and senior year.
• 3+2 Dual Engineering Degree with Columbia University Students study three years at Simon's Rock/Bard College and two years at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Students finish with an AA from Simon's Rock, a BA from Bard College, and a BS from Columbia.
• Dartmouth College 2-1-1-1 Dual Engineering Degree Students complete two years at Simon's Rock, junior year away at Dartmouth College, return to Bard College for senior year, then return to Dartmouth for the final year. Students finish with an AA, BA, and BE from Dartmouth.
• Simon's Rock in Montserrat Study Abroad Program A study abroad program for tropical ecology and sustainability studies at the Simon's Rock Field Station in Montserrat (Caribbean). The permanent facility supports Simon's Rock students, faculty, and visiting researchers.
• Early College Research Institute (ECRI) Research institute fostering research, preservation, and implementation of early college practices. Includes Early College Pedagogy Certification program and archives. Serves educators and researchers nationwide.
• National Early College Honors Society (NECHS) A program that encourages, qualifies, and recognizes high school student accomplishments in successfully earning college-level credits. Partners with schools to designate NECHS chapters with multiple award levels based on college credits and GPA.
• Early College Pedagogy Certification Professional certification program for early college educators, with Initial Certification and Permanent Certification pathways requiring subject-aligned advanced degrees, teaching training, and portfolio development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 20 PhD-Completion Ranking
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Government of MontserratminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Simon’s Rock Field Station in Montserrat (established 2023) serves as a science and learning center. Simon's Rock faculty direct research in Montserrat's flora and fauna primarily to support the Montserrat government's conservation efforts. Station also hosts students and researchers from other institutions.
• Bard CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1979In 1979, Simon's Rock became part of Bard College, bringing new academic and financial strength while retaining Simon's Rock's unique identity. President Leon Botstein of Bard College, who entered the University of Chicago at age 16, fully understood the significance of early college. The partnership shaped intellectual hallmarks including Writing and Thinking Workshops, Moderation, the Senior Project, and First-Year and Sophomore Seminars.
• Mount Everett Regional High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECRI partnered with Mount Everett Regional High School in Massachusetts to implement a 'wall-to-wall' early college model where every student participates in college-level programming. ECRI provides Early College Pedagogy Certification training to Mount Everett teachers. Massachusetts ECJC has recognized this as 'first of its kind' and 'ground-breaking'.
• Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner3-2 Dual Engineering Degree program: Students study three years at Simon's Rock/Bard College and two years at Columbia. Students finish with AA from Simon's Rock, BA from Bard College, and BS from Columbia. Requirements include 3.5 GPA overall and in pre-engineering coursework.
• Dartmouth College Engineering SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2-1-1-1 Dual Engineering Degree: Students complete two years at Simon's Rock, junior year at Dartmouth, return to Bard for senior year, then return to Dartmouth for final year. Finish with AA, BA, and BE degrees. Program emphasizes engineering breadth and close faculty work.
• Various Early College Institutions (BHSEC DC, BHSEC Newark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECRI partners with early colleges including Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) in DC and Newark. Past visitors include students and faculty from these institutions participating in ECRI programs, seminars, and research initiatives.
• Montserratian Researchers and CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon’s Rock students have conducted original research often in collaboration with Montserratian researchers. Students have identified new species, conducted original research studies, and made important contributions to scholarship on Montserrat.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bard High School Early College (BHSEC): Network of public early college high schools operated by Bard College in NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Newark, DC, Cleveland, Baltimore, Hudson, New Orleans). Operates the same early college model that Simon's Rock pioneered and is explicitly a partner institution through ECRI.
• Hampshire College: Small, progressive liberal arts college in Amherst, MA known for its non-traditional, student-directed curriculum and alternative pedagogy. Comparable in size, mission, and emphasis on individualized learning paths—similar alternative educational positioning.
• Bennington College: Small, progressive liberal arts college in Vermont with an emphasis on arts, independent study, and self-directed learning. Comparable size, progressive pedagogy, and emphasis on individualized student pathways that mirror Simon's Rock's approach.
• Sarah Lawrence College: Small liberal arts college in Bronxville, NY with strong emphasis on individualized education, small seminar-style classes, and creative arts. Comparable size, pedagogy, and premium tuition positioning in the Northeast liberal arts market.
• Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts: Liberal arts college within The New School in NYC offering seminar-based, progressive education with a strong emphasis on intellectual inquiry. Similar in pedagogical approach, urban accessibility, and focus on students seeking alternatives to traditional college models.
• Marlboro College: Tiny progressive liberal arts college in Vermont that recently merged with Emerson College. Shared philosophy of self-directed learning, small cohorts, and emphasis on individualized study in a rural setting.

Broad incumbents

• Bard College: Parent institution and liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. Simon's Rock became part of Bard in 1979 and recently relocated to Bard's Massena Campus. Operates a parallel BA program that Simon's Rock students matriculate into.

Emerging players

• College of the Atlantic: Very small liberal arts college in Bar Harbor, ME with a single-discipline focus on human ecology. Comparable in size, alternative pedagogical approach, and emphasis on interdisciplinary, project-based learning.
• Deep Springs College: Tiny, all-male two-year college in Deep Springs, CA that combines academics with labor and self-governance. Strongest philosophical analog to Simon's Rock's early college model—students earn an AA before transferring—and shares the alternative, residential liberal arts model.

Regional players

• Evergreen State College: Public liberal arts college in Olympia, WA known for its narrative evaluations, interdisciplinary programs, and progressive pedagogy. Comparable in alternative education philosophy and emphasis on student-directed learning, though it serves as a public institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/simonsrock
• Facebookfacebook.com/17530632033

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bard College at Simons Rock