The Best Private Schools in Kerhonkson, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kerhonkson. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
John A. Coleman School
Independent Special Education School
John A. Coleman School is a highly-regarded private special education school serving students from Ulster County and surrounding areas, including Kerhonkson. The school provides comprehensive educational and therapeutic services for students with special needs, featuring small class sizes, individualized instruction, and specialized support services. With over 45 years of operation, the school has established itself as a leader in special education, offering state-approved programs, certified special education teachers, and comprehensive transition services. The campus includes modern classrooms, therapy rooms, and specialized facilities designed to support diverse learning needs.
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Mountain Laurel Waldorf School
Waldorf Education
Mountain Laurel Waldorf School serves families throughout the Hudson Valley region, including Kerhonkson, offering education from early childhood through 8th grade. The school follows the Waldorf educational philosophy, emphasizing holistic development through arts-integrated academics, hands-on learning, and nature-based education. The curriculum includes foreign language instruction from early grades, extensive music and arts programs, practical handwork skills, and comprehensive outdoor education. The campus features beautiful natural surroundings, dedicated classrooms, gardens, and play areas designed to support the Waldorf approach to child development and learning.
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Kingston Catholic School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Kingston Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade from throughout Ulster County, including families from Kerhonkson. The school offers a rigorous academic program rooted in Catholic values, featuring advanced mathematics, science labs, technology integration, and comprehensive language arts. Extracurricular programs include competitive sports, music, drama, and community service opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes with certified teachers and provides a safe, nurturing environment focused on character development and academic excellence. Many graduates continue to top-tier Catholic and independent high schools throughout the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kerhonkson, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families living in or near Kerhonkson, New York?
While Kerhonkson itself is a small hamlet, families have access to several well-regarded private schools in the surrounding Ulster County area. The most prominent include the John A. Coleman School in Kingston (a Catholic, co-educational school for grades Pre-K-12), Kingston Catholic School (also in Kingston, serving Pre-K-8), and the Mountain Laurel Waldorf School in New Paltz, which offers a nature-infused, arts-based Waldorf education from early childhood through 5th grade. It's important to note that these schools require a commute, as there are no major private school campuses within the immediate Kerhonkson village limits. Transportation is typically the responsibility of the family.
How does the tuition for private schools near Kerhonkson, NY, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New York State?
Tuition in the Kerhonkson area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a range from approximately $7,000 to $15,000+ annually. Mountain Laurel Waldorf School and parish-supported Catholic schools like Kingston Catholic often have lower tuition, while John A. Coleman School (a diocesan high school) is at the higher end. Critically, New York State offers several financial aid programs that Kerhonkson residents can utilize. These include the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for eligible college-bound students and, for lower-income families, the Child Care Subsidy Program for early childhood programs. All schools have their own need-based financial aid and scholarship processes, and some participate in diocesan aid programs.
What unique educational philosophies or specializations are offered by private schools in the Kerhonkson, NY, region?
The private schools near Kerhonkson offer distinct educational approaches that cater to different family values. The Mountain Laurel Waldorf School, located a short drive away in New Paltz, provides a stark contrast to traditional models with its holistic Waldorf curriculum emphasizing artistic expression, nature immersion, and developmental learning stages without early use of standardized testing or digital media. In contrast, the John A. Coleman School and Kingston Catholic School offer structured, college-preparatory curricula rooted in Catholic values, with Coleman providing advanced placement (AP) courses and extracurricular athletics. This gives Kerhonkson parents a clear choice between progressive, nature-based education and faith-based, traditional academic preparation.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Kerhonkson, NY, families?
The enrollment process for schools like John A. Coleman, Kingston Catholic, and Mountain Laurel Waldorf generally begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. Open houses are typically held between October and January. For Catholic schools, priority is often given to active parishioners and siblings of current students. The Waldorf school usually involves a classroom observation and parent interview to ensure philosophical alignment. Given the limited seats, especially in early childhood programs at Mountain Laurel, applying by January or February is strongly advised. Rolling admissions may continue if spaces remain, but popular grades fill quickly. Required materials usually include an application, transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a student visit or assessment.
For a family in rural Kerhonkson, what are the key considerations when comparing local public schools (like Rondout Valley Central School District) to the available private options?
The key considerations involve educational philosophy, class size, commute, and cost. The Rondout Valley Central School District provides a comprehensive, tuition-free K-12 education with standard public school programming, sports, and clubs, but with larger class sizes. Private options offer smaller, more intimate learning environments (often 15:1 student-teacher ratios or lower) and specific value systems (Catholic or Waldorf). The major trade-off is the daily commute to Kingston or New Paltz (20-40 minutes) and the significant financial investment. For families deeply connected to the rural, artistic, and natural environment of Kerhonkson, the Waldorf philosophy may feel like a seamless extension of home life, whereas a college-prep Catholic education offers a structured path perceived as distinct from the local public system.
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