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Poughkeepsie Day School is an independent progressive school serving 250 students in the Mid-Hudson Valley region, from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Students come from as far south as Peekskill, Woodstock in the west, as far north as Germantown, and from Sharon, CT, in the east. Families who come are seeking an academically challenging environment in a small school that recognizes the importance of having a steadfast commitment to developing each student's social intelligence. Our students are sophisticated thinkers. Our role is to keep them interested. With dedicated faculty open to new ideas and challenges, our collaborative learning environment provides a springboard for engaged and reflective learners. Our teacher's design curriculum with their students in mind, providing many different pathways into a rich, integrated learning experience. We know that: Fostering individual expression. Giving interdisciplinary opportunities. Having a steadfast commitment to social and emotional learning feeds a learning environment that will allow our students to thrive. Poughkeepsie Day School develops educated global citizens with a passion for learning, leading, and living. At PDS, we see school as a place for curiosity, creativity, collaboration, integrity, courage, self-awareness, compassion, contribution, wonder, and connection – where students develop the essential academic, practical, and social capacities to make a creative contribution to the world. Poughkeepsie Day School's philosophy of progressive education has upheld each individual's dignity since its founding in 1934. The PDS faculty, students, families, and trustees acknowledge that dealing with the human condition is complicated 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 diversity issues. Through the curriculum, we encourage students to consider multiple perspectives. These include the languages we speak, customs we observe, how 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 know to respond with respect and empathy to others' uniqueness, ideas, and beliefs. In this way, we pursue our mission to graduate informed, competent, compassionate global community leaders. We embrace and encourage the qualities that determine success, including the ability to think independently, collaborate effectively, listen, give and receive feedback, adapt to change, and explore a wide range of information and knowledge. All of this vital work takes a steadfast commitment to social and emotional learning. Without directly cultivating these skills, students will not fully participate in an active learning environment that requires interaction, discussion, and feedback. By building knowledge and facilitating collaboration and self-reflection, PreK through Grade 12, our program lays the groundwork for academic excellence and joyful learning. Our students love to be at school. So we encourage coming in early or staying late to take advantage of other outside play, individual music lessons, many crafts, and a space for independent work. Our extended day options (morning and afternoon) and enrichment classes provide both structure and engagement. Music lessons and summer camps are also offered. At Poughkeepsie Day School, we recognize that children are curious and strive to give them the time and space to pursue ideas and knowledge. Students discover how glass is blown, see what connects them to the people and places of their community, and come to understand the ecosystem of the Hudson River. View full school