Poughkeepsie Day School

Poughkeepsie Day School is the leading progressive school in the Hudson Valley, serving nearly 200 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 offers a progressive education that liberates the mind, ignites passion and purpose, and provides the world with the agile, resourceful, self-directed, community-oriented citizens it most needs.  

Our Beliefs:

• Education is freedom. We empower students to claim agency for their own education. We prize independent thinking, original solutions to intractable problems, and critical, creative expression.
• Education begins in joy, and deepens in challenge. We encourage students to take pleasure in productive struggle, to treat failure as an exhilarating opportunity, and to cultivate a buoyant spirit of resilience.
• Education is evolution. In a disciplined, thoughtful way, we explore new ideas, adopt new practices, and adapt to new conditions.
• Education is an invitation. We seek out students and families who bring new stories and experiences into the school community. At our school, inclusivity is a transformative force.
• Education is an act of collective generosity. We believe that every member of our community makes an essential contribution to the flourishing of the whole. Our community shares an enduring principle: we are each the guardian of the other`s learning.
• Education is integration. We cultivate the whole person, mind and body, in the pursuit of well-being. We grow stronger and healthier as we exercise each and every part of ourselves.
• Education is a personal achievement and a community resource. We ask students to learn for their own reasons and act for the common good. We believe that knowledge is power-and power must be used responsibly, with integrity, for the advancement of a more just society.

Diversity Statement
Poughkeepsie Day School`s philosophy of progressive education has upheld the dignity of each individual since the school`s founding in 1934.We the PDS faculty, students, families and trustees acknowledge that dealing with the human condition is complex and sometimes challenging. We strive to foster a spirit of optimism and courage. We expect all members of the community to uphold and model the principles of equity and justice.The PDS community embraces democratic ideals. It works to create a learning environment that encourages and supports conversation, regardless of difficulty, around issues of diversity. Through the curriculum we encourage students to consider multiple perspectives. These include the languages we speak, customs we observe, ways in which we learn, our belief systems, racial identities, age, gender, sexual orientation, family configuration, ability and socioeconomic level. Students learn to examine and express their own identities. In turn, they learn to respond with respect and empathy to the identities, ideas and beliefs of others. In this way, we pursue our mission to graduate informed, competent, compassionate leaders of the global community.

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. For a brief overview about outcomes, take a look at our profile.

Accreditation
Poughkeepsie Day School is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), and holds membership in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

The Committee on Admissions 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
• Please note: Poughkeepsie Day School does not charge a set tuition, instead we have a flexible tuition program. View figures at the top range: https://poughkeepsieday.org/admissions/flexible-tuition