school in the hudson valley

A coworker needs info on schools in the Hudson valley - New Paltz, Poughkeepsie area. Is anyone familiar with the area? They are looking within a 20 mile radius of New Paltz!

Thanks

Message edited 6/4/2014 10:39:43 AM.

Re: school in the hudson valley

I grew up in the Hudson Valley and did undergrad at New Paltz. I think generally the districts are good up there unless it's a city school district and then you will have a lot of the issues that come along with that environment (drugs, gangs).

FWIW, I graduated from a district that had almost no diversity in 1993 and from my friends who still live in the area, the school has changed a lot.

They are dealing with all the same issues that you'd hear about anywhere really.

You can FM if you like.

Re: school in the hudson valley

thank you! I will pass that on

school in the hudson valley

My aunt lives and works in outreach/non-profit with the schools in New Paltz / Poughkeepsie. Poughkeepsie school districts are rough, they have a new superintendent who is really trying to turn the schools around, but there aren't many opportunities for kids in that area. New Paltz and other districts are better from what I understand. Poughkeepsie isn't a bad area, but those in the area who are more affluent are sent to private schools.

ETA : she knows this because she has worked both for the YRDC in Poughkeepsie in the past and now works with a local youth arts program who brings opportunities for children to gain experience in the arts that they wouldn't get in the public schools. She tells me stories DAILY about kids who have been told for years that they were nothing because they had nothing - teachers who would tell her that no students would sign up (and then the program would be wait listed). It's very sad, but also amazing to hear what this new superintendent is doing.

Message edited 6/5/2014 12:50:41 PM.

school in the hudson valley

I only know the Dutchess County side, but Wappingers, Lagrange, Red Hook, are all good districts. Stay away from Beacon & Poughkeepsie districts.

Re: school in the hudson valley

There's a lot of pockets of generational poverty in the "city" areas of the Hudson Valley that lead to ongoing issues too.

And like PP mentioned, just like here on LI, those who have money send their kids to private.

The more rural districts you will be okay education-wise, but there are other problems that the schools are still faced with that are the same anywhere really (boredom, getting involved in wrong crowd, etc).

Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Kingston, Middletown, Port Jervis....these are more of the "city" school districts.

Re: school in the hudson valley

P.S. I am a graduate of the Minisink SD.

This district covers a huge area, and a lot of people from down here and the city move up there to either purchase or build brand new bigger construction with lots of land.

It's a total different way of life though and I think jobs (professional) are even harder to come by.

There's a lot of vacant homes as a result.

People my age (30s) either have some kind of business or deal with a god awful commute or work in health care or teaching. Otherwise it's jobs like waitressing or the mall.

Message edited 6/5/2014 2:43:53 PM.