Why Independent School?

• Independent schools in NY have a long tradition of high quality education.

• Independent schools are small by design, facilitating personal attention, transparency, meaningful communication and genuine, tight-knit communities. Parent participation is valued and encouraged.

• They are uniquely mission driven, distinct from one another and from government controlled systems. Educational philosophy and approach, staffing, curriculum, assessment, admissions practices and overall school culture are established and maintained according to each independent school’s own values.

• Independent schools set our own policies and educational experiences according to the needs and interests of our particular communities rather than state mandates. We are not influenced by local politics. Independent schools are governed by a Board of Trustees and are accountable to our constituents, not political entities. We are accredited by state accreditation organizations. Many independent schools choose to join professional associations which help to ensure consistent best practices and collegial relationships and oftentimes, collaboration with peer schools.

• Supported through tuition and philanthropic contributions, independent schools manage our own finances and are not restricted by government funding. This freedom enables us to determine how to allocate funds according to our communities’ own priorities and our professional understanding of best practices. Specific needs such as ongoing professional development for teachers, quality materials, nutritious food, and beautiful, well-maintained environments are met through our private resources.

• Independent schools are selective in our admissions policies, inviting those families whose children are most likely to thrive in our unique setting and whose parents are philosophically in tune with our practice. We are self-selecting communities whose members benefit from shared priorities and goals.

• Independent schools are also competitive in hiring faculty, personally choosing each teacher according to their demonstrated shared passion and vision.

• Exempt from government imposed curriculum and benchmarks, independent schools have the freedom to craft challenging curriculum which is both developmentally appropriate for and engaging to students. This flexibility is especially critical for the preschool years as it allows teachers to tap into children’s innate curiosity, inspiring and motivating them to explore, create and discover joyfully, building their self-confidence and laying an essential foundation for lifelong learning.

• Whatever your long term hopes and plans are for your child’s education, first school experiences in independent schools set children on a path of continued success in any future academic setting.