"Based on the schools, Barre is not an option."

Yup.

Waterbury has my vote. Nice walkable downtown. Good restaurant options. Close to Sugarbush, MRG, Stowe, Smuggs, Bolton. Also close to Barre, Burlington, Stowe, Montpelier and Waitsfield. Homes are a lot cheaper than Stowe.

In re: schools, good not great. To wit:

Waterbury, VT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Vermont public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 48% statewide average). Schools in Waterbury have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Vermont public schools.