Poughkeepsie Day School is the leading progressive, coeducational independent PreK-8 school in the Poughkeepsie area and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State, one of the only schools in downstate New York with International Baccalaureate status.
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.
Today, 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. se habla espanol.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 40 students
- Yearly Tuition: $21,000
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Language-based Learning Disabilities
Year Founded
1934
Last Day of School
Fri. Jun 12, 2026
Campus Size
3 acres
Student Body
Total Students
40 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
25%
State avg.: 40%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
9 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.:
Average Class Size
10 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$21,000
Tuition Notes
Significant need-based scholarships are available; about 60 percent of families receive some form of financial aid. Please go to poughkeepsieday.org/admissions for more information.
% on Financial Aid
60%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$13,000
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 82%
Admissions Director
Tammy Reilly
Admissions Associate
Rob Wingate
Application URL
Endowment Size
$0.8 million
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
4 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Pop Icons BandStar2B Performing Arts Theater Productions
Stringendo Music School String LessonsVocal and Instrumental Lessons
School Notes
- School Motto: Education for a just society and sustainable planet.
- Founded in 1934 by Vassar College faculty, Poughkeepsie Day School has always stood for progressive, efficacy-driven education.
- The school is delivering unmatched impact.Poughkeepsie Day School is currently in its second year of candidacy for a designation called the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP).
- As part of this work, the school has made a focused investment in professional development to ensure that innovative curricular frameworks are implemented with depth, fidelity, and coherence.
- Our program lays the groundwork for academic excellence and joyful learning. Students, PreK through Grade 8, are encouraged 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 work takes a steadfast commitment to social and emotional learning in an active classroom environment that requires interaction, discussion, feedback, and self-reflection.
- Through inquiry-based, globally-minded instruction, students are challenged to think critically, come to a greater understanding of themselves and others, and take meaningful action in the world.Intergroup dialogue systems bring together students from different identity groups, build racial literacy, empathy and communication skills, and reduce prejudice.
- Students learn how to talk ACROSS difference-not just ABOUT difference - preparing them to participate thoughtfully in diverse communities.
- Poughkeepsie Day School serves a racially, socioeconomically, neurologically, and culturally diverse student body at levels uncommon in independent schools.
- This diversity is paired with a progressive, inquiry-driven approach to teaching and learning that genuinely meets students where they are.
- Through inquiry-based, student-centered, and differentiation-friendly pedagogy, students receive responsive, individualized support rather than being sidelined by rigid structures.
- The result: a school environment where a remarkably wide and diverse range of young people can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally - something not available anywhere else in the region.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Poughkeepsie Day School cost?
Poughkeepsie Day School's tuition is approximately $21,000 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 76%.
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).
School Reviews
Endorse Poughkeepsie Day School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
糖心原创 Gap Years Before High School: Is It Worth It?
Learn how private school gap years before high school work, who benefits most, and whether delaying ninth grade is worth the investment.
What Happens When a 糖心原创 Closes Mid-Year? A Parent Survival Guide
What parents should do if a private school closes mid-year, including records, tuition, transfers, college applications, and student support.
How 糖心原创s Support Students Building Online Personal Brands
Discover how private schools help students build responsible online personal brands through digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and media education.



