Private School in Orange County, NY

Tuxedo Park School:
Tuxedo Park School is a private, independent, coeducational day school for students in preschool through to freshman year, and is one of the most unique educational opportunities for PreK -9th grade children in the United States. We are located in Tuxedo Park, a village within the southern part of the Town of Tuxedo, in the southwestern corner of Orange County, NY, 15 minutes north of Bergen County, NJ (and just west of Rockland County).

* Primary School - Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First, Second and Third Grade: 
From the very earliest years, the academic and co-curricular programs encourage students to explore new concepts and skills. Expectations at each grade level in the Primary School recognize that children develop at different rates.

Language Arts: The goal of the language arts curriculum is to create a learning environment that will enable each child to grow in all aspects of language usage and appreciation. The language arts program uses the best of whole language and phonics techniques to introduce and develop the strategies and skills used by good readers and writers. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are integrated within a literate environment appropriate to the interests and readiness of the child. Students refine their writing skills through a multi-draft process that teaches them to revise critically and edit carefully.

Mathematics: Math classes employ a robust curriculum based on aspects of Everyday Mathematics, Singapore Mathematics, and skills based work. Using manipulatives, models, and computer programs, students explore increasingly complex problems that require careful analysis and synthesis.

Science: The Primary School Science Lab is specially designed for investigations by younger students. Through hands-on experiences in the laboratory and in the beautiful natural environment surrounding the school, students learn to hypothesize, observe, and draw conclusions.

Technology: Students have easy access to computers in the library media center, and many Primary classrooms have Smart Boards.

* Middle School - Grades Four, Five, and Six: 
Thematic projects link history and literature at various times during the year. Studies of early civilizations, Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Age of Exploration help students explore historical periods from several perspectives. Students in grades 4 and 5 participate in an archaeological dig.

Classroom dramatics, projects, research papers, and historical fiction give students a wide range of opportunities to demonstrate their understanding. In Middle School math, students build on their whole number computation skills, becoming accomplished in solving problems involving fractions, decimals, signed numbers, and variables.

In reading and writing workshops, teachers help the students refine their ability to read critically and write with clarity and power. Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar lessons further strengthen students’ skills.

Science classes meet in the Middle School Science Lab, in a Smart Board equipped classroom or outdoors. Through experiments and observations, students explore biological, chemical, earth, and physical science concepts.

* Upper School - Grades Seven, Eight and the Freshman Year (9th Grade):
Our school offers a challenging preparatory curriculum for students. The literature-based English program continues to develop students’ analytical skills. Works by Shakespeare, Homer, Steinbeck, Salinger, and many other authors challenge students to analyze in depth and construct thoughtful responses.

The history curriculum in grade 7 focuses on colonization through reconstruction. Eighth grade history concentrates on reconstruction to the present. In grade 9, students investigat a range of world cultures and study their influence on recent history and the present.

Science in the Upper School makes extensive use of the Dow Science Lab and technology. The seventh grade course is earth science, eighth grade is physical science, and ninth grade is biology. The mathematics curriculum continues with pre-algebra or algebra in grade 7, and concludes with either geometry or advanced algebra.

Freshman Year - Based on our experience, the academic, social/emotional, and leadership confidence gained as a result of the Freshman Year pay dividends in secondary school and beyond.

* After School Programs:
- Late Group: (3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday) Late group runs to accommodate those Primary School students who must wait for the 4:00 bus.

- Discovery Programs: Throughout the year, faculty members offer various fee-based special enrichment programs that have included ceramics, art, music lessons, quilting, and chess instruction. Most Discovery Programs meet once a week for five or six weeks.

- Intramural Sports Program: Students can participate in an intramural sports program that meets on most Friday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. This fee-based program usually offers fencing, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.

- Homework Club: Students in the Middle and Upper Schools may enroll in fee-based homework clubs. During these homework sessions, faculty members answer questions and provide guidance to students from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.