The Best Private Schools in Paul Smiths, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Paul Smiths. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
North Country School
Independent
North Country School is a renowned co-educational boarding and day school serving grades 4-9, located just 15 minutes from Paul Smiths. The school emphasizes experiential learning through its 220-acre mountain campus with working farm, extensive outdoor education programs, and strong academic foundation. Students benefit from small class sizes (6:1 student-teacher ratio), hands-on learning in sustainable practices, and comprehensive arts programs. The school's unique integrated curriculum connects classroom learning with real-world experiences through gardening, animal care, and outdoor adventures in the Adirondack Mountains.
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Northwood School
Independent
Northwood School is a prestigious independent boarding and day school located in Lake Placid, serving students in grades 9-12 and postgraduate year. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with particularly strong programs in mathematics, sciences, and competitive athletics. Northwood is internationally recognized for its hockey program while maintaining strong academic standards across all disciplines. The school leverages its Adirondack location through outdoor education and environmental science programs, with small class sizes and personalized college counseling.
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St. Bernard's School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg
St. Bernard's School is a Catholic parochial school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, located in Saranac Lake approximately 20 minutes from Paul Smiths. The school provides a faith-based education with strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and community involvement. Features include modern technology integration, comprehensive STEM programs, music and art education, and competitive sports teams. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extended day programs, serving families throughout the Adirondack region with a focus on developing well-rounded students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Paul Smiths, New York
What are the private school options specifically in or near Paul Smiths, NY, and what are their educational models?
Paul Smiths itself is a small hamlet, but it is notably home to Paul Smith's College. For primary and secondary private education, families typically look to nearby institutions. The most prominent are North Country School (in Lake Placid, about 20 minutes away), which is a junior boarding and day school for grades 4-9 with a progressive, place-based curriculum; and Northwood School (also in Lake Placid), a co-ed boarding and day high school with a strong focus on college prep and competitive athletics, particularly hockey and skiing. St. Bernard's School is in Saranac Lake (about 15 minutes away) and is a Catholic elementary school serving Pre-K through 6th grade. The models range from experiential and community-focused to traditional college-preparatory and faith-based.
How does the boarding school component of local private schools like North Country and Northwood benefit day students from Paul Smiths?
The boarding school environment at North Country School and Northwood School creates a unique 24/7 educational community that day students from Paul Smiths fully integrate into. This means a longer, more immersive school day with access to evening study halls, weekend activities, and a diverse student body from across the country and world. Day students benefit from small class sizes, extensive after-school programs, and facilities—like science labs, art studios, and athletic complexes—that are often more robust than typical day schools. It also fosters a strong sense of global citizenship and independence, as students learn alongside peers living away from home.
What are the tuition ranges for private schools in the Paul Smiths, NY area, and are there financial aid options specific to New York State residents?
Tuition varies significantly by school and program. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Northwood School's day student tuition is approximately $40,000, while boarding tuition is around $75,000. North Country School's day tuition is roughly $35,000, with boarding near $70,000. St. Bernard's School, as an elementary day school, is notably lower, typically between $5,000-$8,000 annually. All schools offer need-based financial aid. Additionally, New York State residents may be eligible for programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for college, but for K-12, aid is primarily institutional. Some families also utilize New York's 529 plan for K-12 tuition expenses.
How do the academic and extracurricular programs at Paul Smiths-area private schools leverage the unique Adirondack environment?
Schools in the Paul Smiths region deeply integrate the Adirondack Park into their curricula. North Country School has a working farm, garden, and wilderness program where students learn sustainability, animal husbandry, and outdoor skills. Northwood School utilizes the mountains and lakes for its renowned skiing, hiking, and crew programs, with some academic classes incorporating environmental science fieldwork. This location-specific focus provides unparalleled hands-on learning in ecology, environmental stewardship, and outdoor leadership, which is a defining characteristic not found in most urban or suburban private schools.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for private schools near Paul Smiths, especially for competitive boarding programs?
The process for schools like Northwood and North Country typically begins 12-18 months before desired entry. Key steps include: initial inquiry (spring/summer), campus visits and interviews (fall/winter), submission of applications with standardized testing (like the SSAT) and recommendations (January/February deadlines), and admission decisions released in March. For day student spots, which are limited, applying early is crucial. St. Bernard's School has a more rolling admissions process but encourages applications by early spring for the following fall. Given the competitive nature, especially for boarding spots, families from Paul Smiths are advised to start early and emphasize their child's fit with the school's unique community and outdoor ethos.
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