The Best Private Schools in Glens Falls, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Glens Falls. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
North Country School
Independent
Located in nearby Lake Placid, North Country School serves families throughout the Adirondack region including Glens Falls. This prestigious independent school offers a unique residential and day program for grades 4-9, emphasizing environmental stewardship, hands-on learning, and academic excellence. The 200-acre campus features working farm programs, extensive outdoor education opportunities, and a rigorous academic curriculum. With exceptional teacher-student ratios and innovative programming, the school has earned recognition for its holistic approach to education that balances intellectual, artistic, and physical development.
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St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School is a highly-regarded Pre-K through 8th grade institution serving the Glens Falls community with a comprehensive Catholic education. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, offering strong core curriculum enhanced by technology integration, music, art, and physical education programs. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains high parent satisfaction and student achievement rates. The institution has deep roots in the community and provides a nurturing environment focused on character development alongside academic growth.
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The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs
Waldorf Education
Serving families from Glens Falls and the broader Capital Region, The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs offers a distinctive educational approach from early childhood through high school. The school's Waldorf curriculum emphasizes developmental appropriateness, artistic expression, and hands-on learning. With strong emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility, the school has built a reputation for academic excellence and strong community values. The beautiful campus and dedicated faculty provide an enriching environment that attracts families seeking an alternative to traditional education models while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Glens Falls, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Glens Falls, New York, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Glens Falls and its immediate surrounding region offer a few distinct private school options, each with a unique approach. Within the city, **St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School** provides a faith-based, Pre-K through 8th-grade education rooted in Catholic values and a traditional academic structure. A short drive away, you'll find two notable institutions. **North Country School** in Lake Placid (about an hour north) is a unique co-ed boarding and day school for grades 4-9, emphasizing environmental stewardship, hands-on learning, and a farm-and-garden campus lifestyle. **The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs** (approximately a 30-minute drive south) offers a developmental, arts-integrated education from early childhood through high school, based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner. For Glens Falls families, this means considering commuting for specialized philosophies like Waldorf or progressive boarding/day options.
How does tuition for private schools in the Glens Falls, NY, area compare, and what financial aid or scholarship opportunities are specifically available to New York residents?
Tuition in the Glens Falls area varies significantly by school and grade level. St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus, as a parish-supported Catholic school, generally has the most accessible tuition, often ranging in the several thousand dollars per year. North Country School and The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, as independent institutions with extensive campuses and specialized programs, have higher tuition, comparable to other elite private schools in New York State. Critically, New York residents should explore the **Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)** for non-public schools, which is need-based state aid. Additionally, many schools have their own endowment-funded financial aid and scholarship programs. A key local opportunity is New York's **Child Care Tax Credit**, which can help offset costs for younger students. It's essential to contact each school's admissions office directly for the most current tuition figures and a detailed consultation on financial aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Glens Falls offer that leverage the natural and cultural resources of the Adirondack region?
Private schools in the Glens Falls area uniquely integrate the Adirondack environment into their curricula. **North Country School** is a prime example, where the 200-acre farm and wilderness campus are central to daily life; students participate in sustainable farming, animal care, hiking, and skiing as part of the educational program. **The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs** emphasizes environmental science and outdoor education, often utilizing the nearby state parks and the Adirondacks for nature studies and class trips. Even **St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus** incorporates local history and community service projects specific to the Glens Falls region. This focus on place-based learning, outdoor activity, and environmental responsibility is a distinctive feature of private education in this part of New York State.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Glens Falls, and are there important deadlines specific to the area?
The enrollment timeline can differ between local day schools and boarding/day schools. For **St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus**, rolling admissions are common, but priority is often given to parish families and siblings, with a recommended application by early spring for the following fall. For the more competitive **North Country School** and **The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs**, families should adhere to a more formal independent school timeline. This typically involves starting inquiries in the fall (September-October), completing applications by January or February, and receiving decisions in March. Open Houses for these schools usually occur in the autumn. A key local consideration is that spaces, particularly in the younger grades at these sought-after schools, can fill quickly, so initiating contact a full year in advance is highly advisable for Glens Falls parents.
For a family in Glens Falls, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school district and a private school, especially regarding community integration and daily logistics?
The decision involves weighing several local factors. Glens Falls City School District offers the convenience of neighborhood schools, no tuition, and a strong sense of local community through sports and events. Opting for a private school like St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus may involve a religious component and smaller class sizes while keeping the child within the city. Choosing North Country School or The Waldorf School, however, introduces a significant logistical component: a daily commute of 30 minutes to over an hour. This impacts family schedules, transportation costs, and the child's ability to easily participate in after-school activities in their home district. Furthermore, attending a school outside Glens Falls means building a social circle that may be geographically dispersed. Parents should consider whether the specialized philosophy and programs justify the commute and how they will foster local community connections for their child outside of school hours.
Private Education Insights
Top Independent Secondary Schools Near Glens Falls, NY: A Parent's Guide
For parents in Glens Falls beginning the search for “independent secondary schools near me,” you are embarking on a journey that blends academic aspirations with the unique character of our region. The Adirondack foothills offer more than just stunning scenery; they provide a backdrop for educational environments that prioritize individual attention, values-based learning, and community. While Glens Falls itself is home to excellent institutions like St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School for younger grades, the quest for independent secondary options often leads families to explore the broader Capital Region and North Country, where schools define themselves by distinctive educational philosophies.
A key local consideration is the balance between a school’s community feel and its academic reach. Many families seek an environment where their child is known and valued, not just another face in the hallway. This is a hallmark of independent schools. For instance, a short drive south brings you to The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, which offers a holistic, arts-integrated education through high school. Its curriculum is designed to engage the hands, heart, and head, fostering creative and critical thinkers. This can be an ideal fit for a student who thrives outside a conventional test-centric model and whose family values an education that nurtures the whole child.
Venturing into the Adirondacks, you’ll find gems like North Country School in Lake Placid. This is a unique residential option for grades 4-9 that seamlessly blends rigorous academics with a profound connection to the natural world. For a Glens Falls family passionate about outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and a tight-knit, supportive boarding community, it represents a transformative possibility. It underscores that “near me” can encompass a manageable distance for a weekly or term-based boarding arrangement that aligns perfectly with a family’s values and a child’s need for an immersive learning environment.
Your search should also factor in the daily logistics of living in our area. When evaluating independent secondary schools near Glens Falls, consider the commute along routes like I-87 or Route 9. Many schools offer transportation or carpool networks, which can alleviate the challenge of distance. Furthermore, engage with other local parents at community centers or events; personal referrals are invaluable. Schedule visits not just on open house days, but on typical school days to observe the student culture and speak with teachers. Ask specific questions about how the school supports the transition to college, especially for students coming from smaller feeder schools in our area. The investment in an independent secondary education here is as much about finding a community that mirrors your family’s principles as it is about academic pedigree. It’s about discovering a place where your child can develop resilience, curiosity, and character, supported by the dedicated faculty and unique opportunities that define these exceptional institutions in and around our North Country community.
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