Poughkeepsie Day School is an independent, progressive, coeducational school in the mid-Hudson Valley serving students from a broad region of New York and Connecticut from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

History

Founded in 1934, it was originally located at Hooker and South Grand Avenues in the city of Poughkeepsie, where it began with 35 students and three faculty members. The school outgrew that facility, and in 1963 it moved to custom built premises on the Vassar College campus at 39 New Hackensack Road, Poughkeepsie. The school outgrew that facility as well, and acquired two buildings from IBM in the 1990s that form its current 35 acre campus on Boardman Road. The theater is named for actor James Earl Jones, who funded construction and whose child attended the school. Pete Seeger, David Strathairn, Graham Parker, William Sadler and Jack DeJohnette also had children or grandchildren who attended the school. In April 2020, the school announced that it would close in June, due to financial concerns related to shrinking revenue. A coalition of parents, teachers, and alumni came together to keep the school open and find a more sustainable path forward. In February 2021, the school announced it would reopen for the 2021–22 school year with lower tuition and a smaller enrollment. The school reopened in September 2021. The school accepts applications from new students for grades pre-K through 12, with rolling admissions throughout the year. In 2022, the Town of Poughkeepsie explored the purchase the school's property on Boardman Road in order to consolidate town offices at the location, but in June 2023, the town decided to put the plan on hold. In January 2024, the school announced the launch of a new high school program, called the Navigator Institute, focusing on three core values—service, engagement, and self-efficacy. It is scheduled to launch with 9th grade in September 2026.

Accreditation

Poughkeepsie Day School is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Independent Curriculum Group (ICG).

Notable alumni and attendees

Notable faculty and staff