Primrose Hill School meets children as unique individuals, providing them with a safe and nurturing environment that feeds the senses and inspires the imagination.
We offer a social experience that engenders compassion and responsibility. We work with the curricular indications of Waldorf education, with an emphasis on engagement with the natural world, our garden and farm animals, and to encourage the curiosity, creative thinking, and confidence that support a lifelong love of learning.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
- Enrollment: 85 students
- Yearly Tuition: $16,500
- Acceptance rate: 90%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Primrose Hill School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
85 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
100%
State avg.: 40%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
10 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$16,500
Tuition Notes
We are committed to being financially accessible. Please see information about Community-Supported Education (CSE) on our website.
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Roxanne Ferber
Admissions Associate
Administration
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Eurythmy, Farming, Games & Movement, Gardening, Handwork, Practical Arts, Spanish, String Instrument
Eurythmy, Farming, Games & Movement, Gardening, Handwork, Practical Arts, Spanish, String Instrument
School Notes
- We are currently enrolling students from early childhood (Nursery and Kindergarten) through eighth grade.
- Our 7.5-acre campus in Rhinebeck, NY houses two beautiful newly renovated schoolhouses,friendly farm animals, an expansive vegetable garden, play-yards, and a barn.
- The work of Primrose Hill School is grounded in clear values and principles that guide our approach to educating children. These principles are reflected in all aspects of the curriculum, our relationships with the children and each other, and our commitment to the larger community.
- Commitment to the Whole Child
- Primrose Hill School offers a unique and comprehensive curriculum that includes the arts, language, math and science,music, and farming and agriculture.Each of these components is deliberately and carefully cultivated to respond to the developmental level of the children at each stage of their education.We understand that all children are unique individuals and therefore our approach provides each child the opportunity to learn in a way that reflects his or her capacity to absorb knowledge.
- Commitment to Sustainability and the Natural World
- Primrose Hill School represents a community of people who believe strongly that a nature-based and agrarian education has innumerable benefits for our children. We believe that an education with an agricultural component is essential for our children to understand their larger role in the world.We impart the knowledge that school is a gateway to a wider world that requires an understanding of conservation, land stewardship, our impact on the enviornment, and a respect for cultivating sustainability in all actions.
- Commitment to Ethical Individualism
- We strive to provide tools and guidance to children that will give them the freedom and knowledge to determine their path in life, while also nurturing a moral compass that allows them to perceive what is needed in the world and how to use their abilities toward achieving it.We believe we must cultivate all aspects of a child physical, mental, and spiritual to instill an authentic sense of being and self-understanding that can guide these individuals throughout their lives.
- Commitment to Access
- Community Supported Education
- The type of education that we provide is essential for preparing children for an uncertain future. We believe that all children,regardless of economic status, should have to access this education.Primrose Hill School establishes systems with student families to assure that there are no financial barriers for anyone who seeks this education.
- Commitment to Acceptance
- We are a community that embraces diversity economically, racially, and culturally and we celebrate diversity in order to engender equity, understanding, and acceptance.We strive to ensure that all children feel accepted for who they are, and feel confident to be proud of this identity as they enter and engage the world.We welcome all traditions and cultural celebrations into our classrooms.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Primrose Hill School cost?
Primrose Hill School's tuition is approximately $16,500 for private students and $375 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of Primrose Hill School?
The acceptance rate of Primrose Hill School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 79%.
When is the application deadline for Primrose Hill School?
The application deadline for Primrose Hill School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Primrose Hill School located?
Primrose Hill School is located in the Rhinebeck Village neighborhood of Rhinebeck, NY. There are 1 other private schools located in Rhinebeck Village.
School Reviews
5 3/30/2022
PHS is a wonder-filled environment for children to blossom. Their Waldorf-inspired learning supports the whole child, mind, body, and soul. They learn through immersion with their specials teachers guiding the children in the same way. Our children spend most of their days in school, so it is important they are able to connect with Nature during this time and at PHS they surely do. Their farm and garden staff is fantastic and children learn compassion and responsibility while strengthening their willpower, through caring for their beloved farm animals. Their verses teach them reverence. Bird counting encourages observation. Planting seeds shows them how to care for themselves and the Earth. They learn agility and how to become graceful and capable in their bodies. They learn how to have grit, allowing them the opportunity to be in service to humanity and themselves. All learning is age-appropriate and really looks at where children are developmentally and how they can be fully nourished, body, soul, and spirit. These earlier, character-building years prepare children for life. It is worth everything to us that direct teaching to children's intellect and hurried to learn is not found here. There are many studies that show this educational philosophy allows children to desire to learn more in their later years when their mind is prepared for a more intense intellectual learning environment. My son is currently in first grade and has truly found happiness here. Every day he wakes up at dawn's first light, dresses, and is eager to go to school. When I ask him if there was anything not so great about his day, he replies "No, the whole day was GREAT!" We have had superb communication with his teacher and the whole faculty. Our son is truly seen and cared for individually in this beautiful, nurturing community.
5 5/2/2018
As a family, we feel very fortunate to have found Primrose Hill School. The faculty and community of Primrose Hill is inspiring. We are blessed to have such committed teachers holding space for our little ones to thrive. From our very first visit, we could feel the magic of the school, and it has only grown as we continue to get deeper into the community!
5 5/2/2018
Primrose Hill School is an incredible community of teachers and parents working together to make a nature-based Waldorf education accessible to all. Our son attends the Shooting Star nursery program. The children are embraced for who they are and are taught the most important lessons of kindness, empathy, appreciation of nature, the value of real work. Our son's teacher, Ms Pema is a wise soul who truly cares deeply for the well-being of her students.
5 4/23/2018
PHS has been a gift to our family. My daughter is thriving - surrounded by happy kids, wise and profoundly committed teachers, and a beautiful farm campus.
Endorse Primrose Hill School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Expelled for Smoking Pot: What Parents Need to Know
We explore the consequences of marijuana use in private schools, discussing expulsion policies, legal implications, and impacts on college admissions. This Q&A format article provides insights for parents navigating disciplinary actions and offers advice on prevention and support for students.
U.S. Private Schools: A Guide for International Students
Dive into the nitty-gritty of attending U.S. private schools as an international student. From tackling the admissions maze to conquering the TOEFL, this guide's got you covered. We'll walk you through visa hurdles, financial realities, and even virtual campus tours. Buckle up for an insider's look at making your American education dreams a reality!
Early Childhood Education: A Guide for Parents of 1 and 2 Year Olds
In this article we explore three popular approaches to early childhood education: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf. It provides parents of toddlers with essential information about each method, helping them make informed decisions about their child's early education.
