Poughkeepsie Day School

Poughkeepsie Day School is the leading progressive school in the Hudson Valley, serving students from PreKindergarten through grade 12.
Our steadfast commitment to providing an education that liberates the mind and ignites passion and purpose in our students has made us Poughkeepsie`s premier choice for education for eighty-five years.
Our Mission: Poughkeepsie Day School creates transformative learning experiences that inspire intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and compassion. We believe that education is a pathway to a more just society and sustainable planet. Through discovery, analysis, and reflection, our intentional learning community brings each child to a greater understanding of self, society, and the universe. Our school emphasizes cultural competence, global citizenship, and centers an anti-oppression pedagogy. We are preparing a new generation of leaders to envision and create a more just world, and this will require deep respect and empathy for one another. To that end, we strive to create a community of students and staff with broad racial and economic diversity within a school that places equity, inclusion, and empowerment at its core.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $26,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 5 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Poughkeepsie Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Language-based Learning Disabilities
Year Founded
1934

Student Body

Total Students
n/a
Student Body Type
Co-ed

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
11 teachers
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
5 students
Advanced Courses
Advanced Topics Advanced Calculus, Advanced Topics Human Biology, Advanced Topics in American Literature, Advanced Topics in Modern American History 1865-1980, Advanced Topics Integral Calculus, Advanced Topics Multivariable Calculus, Advanced Topics The Continuum vs. Discrete Mathematics
Average SAT score
1290
Average ACT score
31
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,600
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Tammy Reilly

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
24 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Community Service, Creative Writing, GBSTA, Jazz Ensemble, Life Drawing, Literary Magazine, Math Games, Music Ensembles, Newpaper, Peer Counseling, S.A.D.D., SOS (Planned Parenthood Peer Education), Woodworking, Yearbook, Youth Against Discrimination

Club or Organization:
Environmental Club, Foreign Language Clubs, Student Council

Arts and Music Programs:
Chorus, Music Ensembles, Shooting Tape, Studio Art, Vocal and Instrumental Lessons

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Volleyball

School Notes

Poughkeepsie Day School is the leading progressive school in the Hudson Valle serving students from PreKindergarten through grade 12. Our steadfast commitment to providing an education that liberates the mind and ignites passion and purpose in our students has made us Poughkeepsie`s premier choice for education for eighty-five years.

Our Mission
Poughkeepsie Day School creates transformative learning experiences that inspire intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and compassion. We believe that education is a pathway to a more just society and sustainable planet. Through discovery, analysis, and reflection, our intentional learning community brings each child to a greater understanding of self, society, and the universe.

Our school emphasizes cultural competence, global citizenship, and centers an anti-oppression pedagogy. We are preparing a new generation of leaders to envision and create a more just world, and this will require deep respect and empathy for one another. To that end, we strive to create a community of students and staff with broad racial and economic diversity within a school that places equity, inclusion, and empowerment at its core.

Our Values:

  • Nurturea safe and supportive community. Learning is a social endeavor. Everyone makes an essential contribution to the flourishing of the whole; we are each the guardian of the other's learning. This involves collaboration, healthy risk-taking, self-reflection, and mutual respect. A steadfast commitment to social and emotional learning creates an environment that supports our students to thrive. We foster a school that is inclusive and celebrates identity.
  • Inspirea passion for learning. Questions matter as much as answers. Students need the freedom to cultivate imagination and explore personal learning styles and interests. Students and teachers engage in an academically challenging curriculum based in inquiry, with a balance of abstract and concrete learning. Our interdisciplinary approach reflects a diverse and changing society and offers pathways to navigating a rapidly evolving world.
  • Connectlearning to the real world. Relevance unlocks doors of imagination and excitement to learn. Experiences that extend beyond the campus offer powerful opportunities for the exploration of ideas, problems, and careers. We cultivate a passion for ethical action and life-long learning. At each developmental level, we engage in the natural world with a focus on ecological resilience. We intentionally grapple with issues surrounding social justice in preparation to be global citizens and change-makers.
  • Empowerstudents through voice and choice. Students have agency to make meaningful choices within their own education. We value independent thinking, and creative expression. Our thematic and project-based curriculum develops academic and communication skills. This inquiry-based approach encourages students to become trail blazers with their teachers as guides.


Diversity Statement
Poughkeepsie Day School is committed to diversity, with a focus on equity and justice in our learning community, school pedagogy, and the relationship with the larger Poughkeepsie community.

PDS affirms people of all identities as integral to the school. These intersectional identities include (but are not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, family configuration, language, culture, ability, body shape and size, and socioeconomic status. We work to ensure that every student feels a deep sense of belonging while being their whole, authentic self.

We actively cultivate an anti-racist community and maintain a learning environment that encourages conversation, even when uncomfortable, around issues of racism, oppression, equity, and justice. This work is grounded in the belief that change is born out of deep understanding, respect, and accountability.

As PDS moves into this next chapter, we are committed to creating a community of students and staff with broad racial and economic diversity. We envision a school that is deeply connected to our local community, mindful of what we can share with and learn from our neighbors and our local partnerships.

Our History
In 1934, our founding families wanted something distinctly different for their children. They wanted a school that honored childhood, took notice of emerging theories about learning and respected creativity while fostering democracy and intellectual effort. Students in those early years built colonial log houses, played on a tire swing, went pond dipping and learned to read and write. They learned how to use hammers and saws and work with wood. They acted in plays and pageants and wrote stories and letters to the White House. They built with blocks, went on field trips, and learned folk songs. The school has expanded and become more sophisticated, but many of these early childhood activities continue on. A high school was added thirty years ago, allowing students to go from middle school into a demanding writing intensive setting that stresses critical thinking and problem solving in all disciplines.

Graduates
Our advisory program and exceptional college counseling reflect our commitment to producing graduates who are ready to embark on their future.

The Admissions Office considers a variety of factors in making its decisions regarding applicants to the diverse Poughkeepsie Day School community. Among the factors taken into account are the student's:

  • Intellectual strength or potential
  • Passion for learning
  • Curiosity and significant interests
  • Creativity
  • Potential for leadership and independence
  • Ability to work well cooperatively
  • Kindness and sensitivity to others
  • Potential for making a positive contribution to the classroom and the PDS community
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Poughkeepsie Day School cost?
Poughkeepsie Day School's tuition is approximately $26,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Poughkeepsie Day School?
The acceptance rate of Poughkeepsie Day School is 80%, which is higher than the national average of 79%.
When is the application deadline for Poughkeepsie Day School?
The application deadline for Poughkeepsie Day School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Yearly Tuition: $26,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 5 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Poughkeepsie, NY is $17,935 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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