Thoreau College

09/09/2026

Community Seminar Returns!
This fall's edition Community Seminar will begin next Tuesday, Sept 15 at 5 pm.
The Thoreau College Community Seminar is an ongoing invitation to join in an open, engaging, and egalitarian conversation about important texts and universal ideas. Inspired by the Great Books Seminar model of higher education and Henry David Thoreau’s vision of “villages as universities”, the Community Seminar is open to Thoreau College students, fellows, and faculty and to members of our wider local community of all ages. All that is required is a willingness to read carefully and to engage in thoughtful discussion with respect for fellow participants, a sincere desire to understand the authors and their ideas with openness and good will, and reverence for the truth.
Community Seminar details: https://thoreaucollege.org/community-seminar

09/09/2026

Another wonderful month at Thoreau College! The harvest continues as we welcome the school year with plenty of potlucks and communal gatherings.

08/28/2026

Join us to welcome Chase as the new Driftless Folk School fellow! 💚

Please join us in welcoming our new Driftless Folk School Fellow - Chase Van Horn!

Chase comes to DFS and Thoreau College after years of moving with the seasons, learning from the landscapes and people he encounters along the way. He has taught marine science on an island, guided backpacking trips in the wilderness, walked across Spain twice, worked with young people in camps and schools, and made homes in a succession of remarkable places. He is excited to spend the next year in the Driftless exploring the relationship between place, attention, and community, while cultivating a more rooted creative practice.

We are excited to have him on the team for this year long fellowship!

08/28/2026

A new Fall Semester is beginning at Thoreau College, and we’re grateful to welcome this year’s students, fellows, resident, and staff to Viroqua.
We’re glad to begin this journey together. Welcome to the Fall Semester!

08/25/2026

Save the date! Driftless Folk School

SAVE THE DATE! 14th Annual Driftless Spoon Gathering

Learn more & join us September 11-13: https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org/classes/driftless-spoon-gathering-2026

08/25/2026

SEEKING — Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Driftless Folk School !

08/19/2026

Who is Thoreau College for?
The student who wants to read Aristotle and also plant a garden.
The maker who learns with their hands.
The community-builder who wants to live collaboratively.
The adventurer who wants to canoe wild rivers.
The seeker asking big questions about meaning and purpose.

And now, money won't stand in the way. Thoreau College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. Admission is need-blind. Your finances don't determine whether you're accepted.

Books, art supplies, tools, camping gear, housing, weekday lunches, all included in your pledge.

Apply: https://thoreaucollege.org

08/16/2026

Thanks for sharing our good news Sophia Institute 🌿

https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog/thoreau-college-update

08/16/2026

How does a student actually get to Thoreau College? Here's the full path:

1. Apply — short essays, one personal reference. No application fee. No financial information required.
2. Interview — in person or on Zoom with our admissions team, including current students.
3. Get accepted — admission is need-blind. Your financial situation is not part of this decision.
4. Financial pledge conversation — once admitted, each student has a one-on-one conversation with our staff to create an individualized financial pledge based on their actual ability to contribute. No formulas. No pressure.
5. Come to Thoreau College — arrive in Viroqua, move in, start the semester. Books, art supplies, tools, and camping equipment are all provided.

The financial conversation happens after admission, not before. We find the right fit first, then we figure out finances together.

Learn more and apply here: https://thoreaucollege.org