Blog | High Meadow School | Hudson Valley Private School
  • Home
  • Our School
    • Our Mission
  • Admissions
    • Steps to Apply
    • Tuition
    • Welcoming New Students and Families
  • Curriculum
  • Enrichment
  • Calendar
  • Blog
  • Alumni
  • Donate
    • The Annual Fund at High Meadow School
    • Jesse Kolber Music Center
  • Careers
  • Parent Portal
  • Why HMS
  • Admissions
    • The Application Process
    • Tuition
    • Welcoming New Students and Families
  • Curriculum
    • Nursery Program
    • Preschool Program
    • Social Studies
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • Science
    • The Arts
    • Spanish
    • Electives
    • Physical Education
  • Enrichment
    • Summer Camp: Open to All
    • Athletics
    • Afterschool: Open to All
    • Beforecare and Aftercare
    • Parent/Child: Open to All
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Teachers
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • Families
    • Careers
    • Covid – 19 Resources 
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Parent Portal

High Meadow School

High Meadow School

  • Why HMS
  • Admissions
    • The Application Process
    • Tuition
    • Welcoming New Students and Families
  • Curriculum
    • Nursery Program
    • Preschool Program
    • Social Studies
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • Science
    • The Arts
    • Spanish
    • Electives
    • Physical Education
  • Enrichment
    • Summer Camp: Open to All
    • Athletics
    • Afterschool: Open to All
    • Beforecare and Aftercare
    • Parent/Child: Open to All
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Teachers
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • Families
    • Careers
    • Covid – 19 Resources 
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Parent Portal
  • Why HMS
  • Admissions
    • The Application Process
    • Tuition
    • Welcoming New Students and Families
  • Curriculum
    • Nursery Program
    • Preschool Program
    • Social Studies
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • Science
    • The Arts
    • Spanish
    • Electives
    • Physical Education
  • Enrichment
    • Summer Camp: Open to All
    • Athletics
    • Afterschool: Open to All
    • Beforecare and Aftercare
    • Parent/Child: Open to All
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Teachers
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • Families
    • Careers
    • Covid – 19 Resources 
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Parent Portal

Blog

New Circumstance, New Faces, New Traditions

September 5, 2020

Over the course of High Meadow’s 36-year history, numerous back-to-school traditions have evolved – some brought by past teachers, staff, and parents, some born out of specific groups of students and their interactions with the campus. We take pride in upholding these traditions and honoring our roots. While this year may look different, and some of … Read More

Our Teaching Staff for the 2020/21 School Year

August 11, 2020

This summer has required more planning and idea-juggling and outside-the-box thinking than any other school year preparation of my 40-year career. The fact that I am doing that work here at High Meadow, in the service of bringing this community back together, imbues the complex and sometimes painful work with immense value. Knowing the work … Read More

What Are We Celebrating Right Now? Campus Improvements!

July 24, 2020

We have some truly amazing people doing some truly amazing work on campus right now. Leading our illustrious team of Campus Improvement Rockstars is Ann Ganter (mom of Tallulah in 5th grade and August in 6th grade). We caught up with her to find out what projects are in the works; here is her report: … Read More

Sticking Together Through the Uncertainty

July 15, 2020

As we continue to monitor all the information available to us around COVID-19 and School Reopenings, we want to be as transparent and clear as possible. We understand how challenging this is for everyone – school leadership, teachers, parents, and kids alike. Answers to your questions, and any “decisions” that we make could be changed … Read More

A Message from The Board of Trustees

July 13, 2020

This year has been an uncertain and challenging time for the country and our school, and despite that, we hope you have had some moments of respite and peace. Dr. Susan Paynter and the administrative staff have had to rapidly envision a new educational strategy, and we have all had to adapt to the new … Read More

A Year to Remember

July 1, 2020

In January, I smiled at the idea that this was the year 2020, a year of 2020 vision and clarity. Then in early March, we zoomed in…. We zoomed into one another’s homes. We saw one another’s dogs, cats, gardens, and couches. We saw our own images staring back at us from the screen and … Read More

Responding to Racism and Police Violence

June 2, 2020

I know this message reaches you amidst news of ongoing state violence against Black Americans. And as thousands have taken to the streets in protest, some have been met with further violence at the hand of police. Members of our community are responding in many ways, by attending protests, reading and learning, taking up difficult … Read More

Timeline of High Meadow School’s Response to COVID-19

May 6, 2020

Updated April 27, 2020 “I am grateful in this confusing and complicated moment to be a member of such an extraordinary community, and I am confident that we will do all we can to support one another.” —Dr. Susan Paynter, Head of School, via email to all High Meadow families on March 13, 2020 And so … Read More

Campus Sustainability at High Meadow 

February 28, 2020

You might be surprised by how far HMS has moved toward sustainability in the past few years! Guided by the work of Buildings and Grounds Manager, Ann Ganter, the largest reduction in our carbon footprint has been in energy consumption for the Main Building, where last year, two boilers consumed 2586 gallons of fuel oil. … Read More

High Meadow Students Represent at YESS!

February 27, 2020

Six of our 7th- and 8th-grade students recently participated in the first annual Youth Environmental Sustainability Summit (YESS!) at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge.  YESS! is a global climate solution and leadership summit for young people who are ready to change their lives and their communities by working towards climate resilience. The three-day event was … Read More

High Meadow Alums: The Data Is In!

January 31, 2020

An Update from Head of School, Dr. Susan Paynter Our HMS high school alumni are thriving and are leading the way in academics, school governance, and the arts. This year, in the Roundout Valley School District (where half of our students are registered), an HMS alum is the 9th-grade class president, and two of our alumni … Read More

Environmental Science in Action

December 25, 2019

This month, 8th Grade Science received two visitors from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Higgs, fisheries biologist, and Rebecca Houser, of The Hudson River Estuary Program. The subject of their presentation? Sturgeon! Amanda talked about her hands-on work with this ancient and endangered fish, vital to the Hudson River ecosystem. Two species … Read More

Education Researchers Visit from China

Education Researchers Visit from China

November 29, 2019

This month, three researchers from the Innovation Platform for Children’s Foreign Language Education at Chongqing University of Education in China visited High Meadow to observe our early childhood classrooms, part of a dual degree program with SUNY New Paltz. The visit was organized by HMS alum Aiko Pletch, who attended in the early years of … Read More

Finding Gratitude All Around Us

Finding Gratitude All Around Us

November 29, 2019

We believe children flourish when they are allowed to explore nature, the outdoors, and their relationships within their community in a safe and supportive environment.  To foster this exploration, before breaking for the Thanksgiving holiday, cross-grade Reading Partners took part in a new tradition, the Gratitude Scavenger Hunt, searching far and wide on our campus … Read More

Reading Partners and Cross Grade Learning

Reading Partners and Cross Grade Learning

October 25, 2019

Each Friday, our older students join the younger ones for Reading Partners. They read together, make art, talk, and play, before walking together to our all-school Gathering. If you have a child at High Meadow, perhaps you’ve heard what a special time of the week it is for all ages. While Reading Partners certainly encourages … Read More

Our Students ARE Scientists

Our Students ARE Scientists

October 25, 2019

High Meadow 8th graders, led by science teacher Gian Ascione, had another opportunity to BE SCIENTISTS this month, participating in a regional project to collect and exchange scientific measurements from a 150-mile portion of the Hudson River, from NY Harbor to Troy Dam.  The student-gathered data will be compiled to create a “day-in-the-life” snapshot of … Read More

Meet PE Teacher Sean Whalen!

Meet PE Teacher Sean Whalen!

October 11, 2019

This month, Sean Whalen joins our growing physical education program as PE Teacher for all grade levels. Sean grew up here in Stone Ridge, attending Marbletown Elementary (where his father teaches math) and Rondout High School. At Rondout, he was captain of the lacrosse team, and also played soccer. Sean continued his education at St. Bonaventure … Read More

Spotlight: Fall Electives

Spotlight: Fall Electives

September 27, 2019

At High Meadow, we believe providing students with choice + voice along their educational paths helps prepare them to be decision-makers in their lives and communities. This kind of student-driven exploration promotes “21st-century skills” such as independent thinking and connection making, and allows students space and time to identify what they’re truly passionate about. Last week, students selected from 29 elective … Read More

Exploring Natural Materials through Art

Exploring Natural Materials through Art

September 27, 2019

This month, Kindergarten and 3rd Grade students in Kimberly Carmody’s art classes used materials they found on the High Meadow nature trail to experiment with mark-making in ink. (In this case, the ink was watered down, washable tempera paint!) Kimberly says she chose this project in support of our mission to engage students’ “intrinsic curiosity in … Read More

Thank You to Hungry for Music!

Thank You to Hungry for Music!

September 27, 2019

For 25 years, Hungry for Music has been providing donated instruments to music students across the country and around the world. Last year, the non-profit donated seven violins to jump start our new program; we now have enough for the entire 2nd grade! This year, we received three trumpets, two clarinets, and two alto saxophones to support our growing wind instruction … Read More

Report Out: All-Staff Equity Training

Report Out: All-Staff Equity Training

August 31, 2019

This week, teachers and administrators convened for a conversation focused on equity and inclusion at High Meadow. New HMS art teacher, Kimberly Carmody, facilitated the session, an extension of her work at Berkeley Carroll school in Brooklyn. Staff members were invited to consider their own varied “indentities”, including aspects of self related to gender, sexuality, race, disability, and religion, among others, … Read More

Learn more about Admissions
Schedule a tour

High Meadow School

An independent private school in the Hudson Valley
3643 Main Street (Mailing: PO Box 552)
Stone Ridge, NY 12484

Our 7-acre school campus is located just 15 minutes from Kingston, 25 minutes from Woodstock, and 20 minutes from New Paltz. Bus transportation is provided by the Rondout, Kingston, Onteora, and New Paltz school districts for students residing in those districts.

Phone: (845) 687-4855
Fax: (845) 687-5151

Email: contact@highmeadowschool.org

Social:

  • Why HMS
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Curriculum
    • Nursery Program
    • Preschool Program
    • Social Studies
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • The Arts
    • Spanish
    • Physical Education
  • Enrichment
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Family Resources
  • Careers
  • PTO

HMS Would like to thank a couple of our sponsors:

©2016 High Meadow School | Site by Kingston Creative