Goddard College is a private college located in Plainfield, Vermont. It uses a self-directed, mentored system of distance education with limited residencies. This entails the student attending Residencies every six months. These Residencies last approximately 9 days, and are filled with a variety of activities and lectures from the early morning until quite late in the evening.

For many years Goddard College had an onsite bachelor's degree program, but this was disbanded in 2002. Now the BA is also a limited residency program.

The president of the school since 2003 is Mark Shulman. The history of Goddard has been tumultuous, like many Free Schools practicising the pedagogical theories of educators like John Dewey.

Goddard is also home to a public radio station that serves central Vermont, WGDR, 91.1 FM.

Famous graduates or former students of the school include actor William H. Macy, writer and director David Mamet, writer Piers Anthony, free jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp, musicians and members of Phish Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, and controversial jailed journalist and political activist Mumia Abu-Jamal.