Peconic Community School is a progressive, independent school on the East End of Long Island, offering programs for students in Early Childhood (from age 3) through Grade 8.
We believe that the goal of education should be to make the world a better place.The PCS approach begins with a clear, and bold, vision: education should prepare students to change the world.
And, students who know how to learn about the world and who know how to care about the world are in the strongest position to initiate and support positive change.
Learning to care about the world is a dynamic and courageous process shared by PCS students and educators; it is a process that unfolds in real time, both in our classrooms and in our community.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Alternative School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 101 students
- Yearly Tuition: $19,690
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
2012
Student Body
Total Students
101 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
16 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
12 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$19,690
% on Financial Aid
35%
Admissions Director
Liz Casey Searl
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
7 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Chess Club, Newspaper Club
Arts and Music Programs:
After school Art programs, After School Drama Program, After School Voice and Piano Lessons
Recreational Athletic Programs:
After School Sports Samplers, Track Club
Chess Club, Newspaper Club
Arts and Music Programs:
After school Art programs, After School Drama Program, After School Voice and Piano Lessons
Recreational Athletic Programs:
After School Sports Samplers, Track Club
School Notes
- The PCS approach begins with a clear, and bold, vision: education should prepare students to change the world. And,students whoknow how to learnabout the world and whoknow how to careabout the world are in the strongest position to initiate and support positive change. Learning to care about the world is a dynamic and courageous process shared by PCS students and educators; it is a process that unfolds in real time, both in our classrooms and in our community.
- Students at Peconic Community School are engaged and inspired by an integrated curriculum that is relevant to their lives, rooted in their place, and responsive to their interests and inquiries. The PCS approach isintegrated: academic disciplines are combined in thematic study. Like real-world projects, student work at PCS is multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary,multi-dimensional and purposeful,incorporating elements of math, science, art, literature, and history within a social context.Curriculum at PCS isplace based: students at PCS connect to and learn from our unique place, the East End of Long Island. Its natural resources, its communities of professionals and citizens, its culture and history, anchor the threads of our learning to a local context that is meaningful and accessible to students.
- Learning at PCS isproject-based:students engage in hands-on, authentic learning experiences that integrate academic disciplines to develop real world problem solving skills. Students tinker, build, write, calculate, draw, and experiment each day with a curriculum that challenges them to think both critically and creatively. Education at PCS ischild-centered:flexible curriculum adapts to the diverse and changing learning styles, intellectual interests, and social-emotional development of our students.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Peconic Community School cost?
Peconic Community School's tuition is approximately $19,690 for private students and $550 for summer students.
When is the application deadline for Peconic Community School?
The application deadline for Peconic Community School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Peconic Community School located?
Peconic Community School is located in the North Fork neighborhood of Cutchogue, NY.
School Reviews
5 3/30/2022
The PCS experience has been an incredible and joyous one for our family. Our child has attended the school for 6 years and every year, every exchange and every encounter has been one of mutual respect and understanding between and amongst the teachers, the administration and the families. Communication is key and we have consistently felt heard and acknowledged whenever we've asked questions or expressed concerns. We are eternally grateful that PCS exists and our child is receiving an exceptional education in such a warm and supportive environment.
5 8/11/2021
The staff at PCS IS incredibly cold and unwelcoming and it is clear this starts at the top. The two founders of the school completely lack warmth or compassion. It`s hard to even imagine why they would want to work with children. They are totally unable to take ownership of anything negative that transpires on their end. They are non-receptive to any kind of feedback unless it`s praise and express contempt when asked questions. Their elitist self-righteous energy is disturbing and without a doubt toxic for any family.
5 8/5/2021
PCS is a wonderful school with an amazing staff and community. Our family had moved two times before we relocated to the North Fork, and we were nervous about our third grader having to start over again, and in the middle of a pandemic no less. PCS not only had in-person learning the entire 2020/21 school year (safely), but they created a fertile learning environment that allowed our son and the other students in the class to thrive both educationally and socially. I know that PCS is a wonderful school in normal times, but these aren't normal times, so being a school that can be flexible in their learning plans, that can have outdoor learning to keep the school open if necessary, that is able to have small size classes were all an added bonus. The teachers and administration are all amazing, accessible, and kind. The students in the school are active citizens, creative thinkers, and generous humans. The curriculum covers the necessary bases, but then also goes beyond to engage the class' imagination in the world around them. Our son thrived at PCS and we couldn't recommend it more highly.
5 4/1/2021
PCS's philosophy, size, place-based approach, high caliber of teachers and administrators, and commitment to raising good people make it a dream school. We've absolutely loved our experience! The community is really welcoming and friendly. The teachers shape the curriculum to meet the children where they are, to serve their interests while making sure core information is covered. Our kids are excited to go to school each day! We are very happy with our decision to enroll.
5 2/24/2020
Peconic Community School (PCS) is everything one could ask for in a school. This is an organization that takes the concept of "community" to heart and provides a phenomenal, holistic and thoughtful approach to educating the whole child. Our child has excelled academically and socially in the 4 years since we started and we could not be more thrilled with this school. The educators, staff and administrators display a level of commitment and passion that is unsurpassed. We highly recommend PCS.
5 10/3/2019
My sons have attended PCS since 2015, and it is—without a doubt—the best decision we could have made. My spouse and I are both professors (English and science), and we value our sons' education deeply. But here's the thing: What we love about PCS is not only the robust, hands-on, immersive academic learning experiences but also the way PCS teaches critical social, emotional, and interpersonal skills. Our children's minds are growing, and their hearts are growing. They are learning to use their intelligence to do good things for others. We believe that education should transform lives and transform communities, and we have seen in a myriad of ways, large and small, that PCS fully believes this too. I love this school so much, I've long been an active member of the Family Association and diversity & social justice committee at PCS. I cannot do enough to support this independent, progressive, engaging learning environment. Highly recommend!
5 8/1/2019
Peconic Community School walks the walk. Their leadership and their staff are dedicated to providing all students with an inspired, relevant, rigorous, hands-on learning experience at every stage. The curriculum is creative and immersive, with essential academic skills taught and reinforced through inquiry-based experiences of real interest. Attention is given to the well-being of each child and space is given to each child so that he or she can grow in ways that builds lasting confidence as well as scholastic and socio-emotional competence. Art and science are integrated authentically throughout each study. Our son, who has attended PCS for six years, is the first to say that he loves his school. The leadership and faculty are serious about their educational mission, while holding fast to the fact that joyfulness matters greatly in a learner's journey.
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