The Best Private Schools in Highland Falls, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Highland Falls. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Don Bosco Preparatory High School
Salesians of Don Bosco
Don Bosco Preparatory High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving students from the broader region including Highland Falls. Founded by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the school maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence and character formation. The curriculum features rigorous college preparatory courses, advanced STEM programs, business leadership tracks, and comprehensive fine arts education. The 35-acre campus includes state-of-the-art science laboratories, technology centers, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school consistently achieves high college acceptance rates and maintains strong alumni networks.
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The Storm King School
Independent Boarding School
The Storm King School is an esteemed independent college preparatory school located just minutes from Highland Falls in Cornwall-on-Hudson. This historic institution offers both day and boarding programs with a comprehensive curriculum featuring Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive arts education. The school's 55-acre campus provides stunning Hudson Valley views and includes modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, arts centers, and dormitories. With small class sizes and individualized attention, Storm King School prepares students for top colleges while fostering personal growth and leadership skills through diverse extracurricular opportunities.
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James I. O'Neill High School
Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District
James I. O'Neill High School is a highly-regarded public high school serving the Highland Falls community with exceptional academic programs. While technically public, it operates with the quality and resources often associated with private institutions. The school offers comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with multiple Advanced Placement courses, strong STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Located adjacent to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the school benefits from unique educational partnerships and resources. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Highland Falls, New York
What are the primary private secondary school options available to families residing in Highland Falls, New York?
Highland Falls, NY, is home to a distinctive cluster of private secondary schools, each with a unique character. The most prominent are James I. O'Neill High School (a federally funded public school for military-connected students that also accepts tuition-paying civilians, offering a unique quasi-private model), Don Bosco Preparatory High School (a private, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men), and The Storm King School (a co-educational, independent boarding and day school with a strong focus on college prep and the arts, located on Storm King Mountain). This provides local families with a rare mix of military-affiliated, parochial, and independent boarding school options within a very small geographic area.
How does the unique presence of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point influence the private school environment in Highland Falls, NY?
The proximity to West Point profoundly shapes the educational landscape in Highland Falls. James I. O'Neill High School is directly impacted, as it operates under the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) umbrella, created to serve children of military personnel. This results in a student body with high mobility and a culturally diverse perspective. Furthermore, the presence of West Point faculty and staff families can influence the applicant pools and community engagement at local private schools like Don Bosco Prep and The Storm King School, often bringing a focus on discipline, leadership, and academic rigor that aligns with the Academy's values.
What is the range of tuition for private day schools in Highland Falls, New York, and are there financial aid options specific to New York State?
Tuition for private day schools in the Highland Falls area varies significantly by institution. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $10,000 to over $50,000. Don Bosco Prep's tuition is typically on the lower end for a private high school, while The Storm King School's comprehensive day student tuition is higher, reflecting its independent boarding school model. All schools offer need-based financial aid. Crucially, New York State residents should explore the **Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)** for non-public schools, which is income-based, and the **Child Care and Dependent Care Credit**, as these can provide significant financial relief. Additionally, many schools participate in diocesan or private scholarship funds.
For a family considering The Storm King School in Highland Falls, what are the benefits and considerations of the boarding option versus the day student option?
Choosing between boarding and day status at The Storm King School is a major decision. As a boarder, your child would be fully immersed in a 24/7 learning community with structured evening study, weekend activities, and a global peer group, which is ideal for developing independence. As a day student from Highland Falls or a nearby Hudson Valley town, they benefit from the same rigorous college-prep curriculum, arts, and mountain-side facilities but return home each evening. This can offer a balance of a premium private education with family time. A key consideration is the "day student curfew" and integration into weekend activities, which the school actively manages to ensure day students feel part of the full community.
How do the academic and extracurricular specializations of Highland Falls' private schools differ, and which might be best for a student with specific interests?
The private schools in Highland Falls cater to different niches. **The Storm King School** excels in personalized, project-based learning with notable strengths in visual arts, music, and environmental science, leveraging its natural mountain setting. Its small class sizes and individual learning plans are ideal for creative or hands-on learners. **Don Bosco Preparatory High School** offers a structured, traditional college-prep curriculum with a strong emphasis on STEM, theology, and character formation rooted in the Salesian tradition, well-suited for students seeking a disciplined, values-based environment. **James I. O'Neill High School**, with its DoDEA resources, often has robust Advanced Placement (AP) offerings and programs supporting highly mobile military families, providing stability and academic continuity. Visiting each campus is essential to feel the distinct culture.
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