The Best Private Schools in Ellenville, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ellenville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
John A. Coleman Catholic High School
Catholic Archdiocese of New York
John A. Coleman Catholic High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving Ellenville and Ulster County families. The school offers rigorous academic programs with Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM curriculum, and competitive athletic programs. With a commitment to faith-based education and character development, Coleman provides a supportive learning environment with modern facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains strong college acceptance rates and active parent involvement.
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Hudson Valley Sudbury School
Independent
Hudson Valley Sudbury School offers a unique democratic education model serving families from Ellenville and the surrounding Hudson Valley region. The school emphasizes self-directed learning within a structured democratic community where students participate in school governance. The program focuses on developing critical thinking, creativity, and personal responsibility through project-based learning and individualized educational paths. The campus features collaborative learning spaces, outdoor educational areas, and technology resources that support diverse learning styles and interests.
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The Family Foundation School
Independent
The Family Foundation School is a therapeutic boarding school serving students from Ellenville and the broader Hudson Valley region. With a strong focus on character development and academic excellence, the school offers comprehensive college preparatory programs alongside therapeutic support. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, athletic fields, and residential accommodations. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, ensuring personalized attention and strong academic outcomes for students requiring structured educational environments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ellenville, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families in and around Ellenville, New York?
Ellenville, NY, and the surrounding Ulster County area offer a few distinct private school models. The most prominent are John A. Coleman Catholic High School (grades 9-12), a traditional college-preparatory school, and Hudson Valley Sudbury School, which follows a self-directed democratic education model. While The Family Foundation School, historically a notable option, is now closed, families often also consider private and parochial schools in nearby towns like Kingston and Middletown. The options in Ellenville itself represent a spectrum from structured, faith-based learning to progressive, student-led education.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Ellenville, NY, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New York State?
Tuition in the Ellenville area varies significantly by school type. John A. Coleman Catholic High School typically has structured tuition (often in the range of $8,000-$10,000+ annually), with financial aid available through the school and the Diocese. Hudson Valley Sudbury School, as an independent private, often has a different tuition model that may be adjusted based on a family's ability to pay. Critically, New York State offers programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for eligible college-bound students at private high schools, and some families may utilize the state's 529 plan for K-12 private school expenses. It's essential to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid and payment plans.
What unique or specialized academic programs do Ellenville-area private schools offer that differ from local public schools?
The private schools near Ellenville provide specialized environments not typically found in public districts. John A. Coleman Catholic emphasizes a college-prep curriculum infused with Catholic values, small class sizes, and often has strong arts and athletics for its size. Hudson Valley Sudbury School offers a radically different, non-coercive educational model where students from ages 5-18 direct their own learning in a democratic community, a stark contrast to standard curricula. This means families in the Ellenville area can choose between a structured, faith-based pathway or a fully self-directed learning environment, filling niches that the public school system does not.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like John A. Coleman Catholic or Hudson Valley Sudbury School in Ellenville, NY?
Enrollment processes differ greatly between the schools. For John A. Coleman Catholic High School, the process typically begins in the fall prior to the 9th-grade year, with open houses, application deadlines, and placement testing. Rolling admissions may be available for other grades based on space. Hudson Valley Sudbury School, due to its non-traditional model, usually has an extensive visitor and trial period process for prospective families to ensure mutual fit, which can be initiated at any time. Given the limited number of seats in these small schools, especially in specific grades, contacting admissions offices a full year in advance is highly recommended for both.
For families in Ellenville, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public school (Ellenville Central School District) and the available private options?
The decision hinges on educational philosophy, cost, and community. The Ellenville Central School District provides a comprehensive, tuition-free K-12 education with diverse programs. Choosing a private school like Coleman Catholic involves a commitment to tuition for a faith-based, structured environment with potentially more individualized attention in high school. Opting for Hudson Valley Sudbury School represents a commitment to an entirely alternative, democratic education model. Practical considerations include transportation (NYS does not mandate public transport to private schools in all cases), the social environment, and the specific needs of the child. Many families in this rural region also factor in the commute to nearby private options outside the district.
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