The Best Private Schools in Lexington, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lexington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Catskill Montessori School
American Montessori Society
Located approximately 15 miles from Lexington in nearby Catskill, this American Montessori Society-accredited school offers authentic Montessori education for children ages 18 months through 12 years. The school provides a child-centered learning environment with mixed-age classrooms, hands-on materials, and individualized instruction. The curriculum emphasizes development of independence, critical thinking skills, and social responsibility. The school features beautiful classroom environments, outdoor learning spaces, and a strong community atmosphere. With experienced Montessori-trained teachers and low student-teacher ratios, the school consistently receives high marks from parents for its nurturing environment and academic foundation.
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The Albany Academy
The Albany Academies
The Albany Academy is one of the oldest independent schools in the United States, serving students from preschool through grade 12. Located approximately 40 miles from Lexington, this prestigious institution offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional STEM programs, comprehensive arts education, and competitive athletics. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the academy provides personalized attention and has a strong track record of college placements at top-tier universities.
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The Doane Stuart School
Independent
The Doane Stuart School is an independent, interfaith school located about 35 miles from Lexington, serving students from preschool through grade 12. As the only school in the Capital Region offering the International Baccalaureate program, it provides a globally-focused education with strong emphasis on critical thinking and community engagement. The school features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. With a diverse student body and dedicated faculty, Doane Stuart emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and prepares students for success in college and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lexington, New York
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Lexington, NY, given that the top-named schools are in other cities?
While Lexington itself is a small town in Greene County, families typically look to private schools in the broader Capital Region and Hudson Valley. The schools mentioned, like The Albany Academy (Albany) and The Doane Stuart School (Rensselaer), are 45-60+ minutes away, making them commuting or boarding options. More locally, families might consider Catskill Montessori School in Catskill or explore options in nearby towns like Hudson or Kingston. The key consideration for Lexington residents is transportation, as most private schools will require a significant daily commute, carpool coordination, or utilizing boarding facilities where available.
How does New York State's tuition assistance landscape affect private school affordability for Lexington families?
New York offers unique financial aid opportunities that can make private school more accessible. The most significant is the **Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for Nonpublic Schools**, which is a needs-based grant for eligible K-12 students. Additionally, many private schools in the area, like The Albany Academy, have substantial endowment-funded financial aid programs. Lexington families should also investigate New York's **529 Plan**, which can now be used for up to $10,000 per year in K-12 tuition. It's crucial to apply for financial aid directly through each school's process (like SSS) and to inquire about local scholarships from community foundations in Greene County.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs draw Lexington students to area private schools, given the rural setting?
Private schools in the region compensate for and leverage the rural environment. Schools like The Doane Stuart School offer a globally-focused, interfaith curriculum and advanced STEM partnerships that are less commonly found in small public districts. The Albany Academy provides robust competitive athletics, extensive arts programs, and advanced placement tracks. For families seeking an alternative pedagogy closer to home, Catskill Montessori School offers hands-on, nature-integrated learning that aligns with the Lexington lifestyle. A major draw is access to consistent, high-level programs in arts, languages, and sciences that might be subject to budget fluctuations in rural public schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Lexington, NY area?
The process for day schools often begins **12-18 months** before the desired start date, especially for competitive schools in Albany. Key steps include: 1) **Fall (Year Prior):** Attend open houses virtually or in-person—essential given the travel distance from Lexington. 2) **December-January:** Complete applications and financial aid forms (SSS). 3) **January-February:** Schedule student visits and assessments; plan for potential overnight stays if considering boarding options. 4) **March:** Admission and financial aid decisions are released. For a local school like Catskill Montessori, timelines may be more flexible, but early inquiry is always recommended due to limited seats in small, rural private settings.
How do the class sizes and community environments of private schools near Lexington compare to the local public school experience?
Lexington students attend the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District, a small, close-knit rural district. Private alternatives offer different models. The Albany Academy and Doane Stuart, while larger institutions, maintain low student-to-teacher ratios (e.g., 8:1) and offer a more diverse student body drawn from across the region, which can be a significant change from a single-town school. Catskill Montessori offers very small, multi-age classrooms with a focus on individual pacing. The choice often hinges on whether a family seeks a expansive, preparatory school environment with vast resources (requiring a commute) or a specific pedagogical approach, versus the convenience and deep local integration of the community public school.
Private Education Insights
Finding the Right Special Needs Private School in Lexington, NY: A Parent's Guide
For parents in Lexington, New York, the search for the right educational environment for a child with special needs is a journey of both heart and careful research. When you type "special needs private schools near me" into your search bar, you may find that the immediate Lexington area presents a unique landscape. While our charming town itself is more residential, the broader Capital Region and Hudson Valley offer a spectrum of specialized options, and understanding the local context is key to navigating them successfully. The journey often involves looking at schools in nearby Albany, Troy, and even into the Catskills, balancing commute times with the specific therapeutic and academic programs your child requires.
It’s important to understand the distinction between private schools with inclusive support models and those designed specifically for certain learning differences. Several notable institutions in our region, such as The Albany Academy and The Doane Stuart School, which have now merged as The Albany Academies, often provide robust learning support services within a traditional independent school framework. They may offer resource rooms, academic coaching, and accommodations for students with mild to moderate learning challenges like dyslexia or ADHD. For some families, this inclusive environment is the perfect fit. Meanwhile, a school like the Catskill Montessori School, with its child-led, hands-on approach, can be profoundly beneficial for children who thrive outside conventional classroom structures, particularly those with sensory processing differences or who need movement integrated into learning.
However, for more intensive needs, parents in Lexington often look to dedicated special education schools. These are typically day programs within a 30 to 60-minute drive. Schools like the Parsons Child & Family Center in Albany or the Clear View School in Westchester County offer highly structured, therapeutic environments with low student-to-teacher ratios and integrated clinical services from speech and occupational therapists to psychologists. The commute from Lexington is a significant consideration, but for many, the specialized curriculum and wraparound support are non-negotiable and worth the travel. Connecting with local parent advocacy groups, such as the Capital District Parent Center, can provide invaluable personal recommendations and insights into these programs.
Your search should begin with a clear understanding of your child’s specific diagnosis, their Individualized Education Program (IEP) if they have one, and your family’s core priorities. Is a small, therapeutic setting paramount, or is integration with neurotypical peers a key goal? Schedule visits and observe classes. Ask detailed questions about staff credentials, therapeutic integration, and how they measure student progress. Remember, the right "special needs private school near me" is the one that aligns with your child’s unique learning profile and fosters their confidence. While the perfect school may not be within Lexington’s town limits, the surrounding region is rich with dedicated options. With patience and targeted exploration, you can find a supportive community where your child will not only learn but truly flourish.