The Homestead School Photo #6 - "Our aim therefore is not merely to make the children understand, and still less to force them to memorize, but so to touch their imagination as to enthuse them to their innermost core. We do not want complacent pupils, but eager ones.?" Maria Montessori

The Homestead School

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The Homestead School Photo #1 - The Homestead School derives its uniqueness from the number of enrichment opportunities that it offers. A national evaluation team from the American Montessori Society recognized the school for its "total" environment in which children experience the living lessons of a traditional working barn, complete with livestock and poultry and a mile-long natural and historical trail.
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The Homestead School Photo #1 - The Homestead School derives its uniqueness from the number of enrichment opportunities that it offers. A national evaluation team from the American Montessori Society recognized the school for its "total" environment in which children experience the living lessons of a traditional working barn, complete with livestock and poultry and a mile-long natural and historical trail.
The Homestead School Photo #2 - "We cannot make a genius; we can only give each individual the chance to fulfill his potential possibilities to become an independent, secure, and balanced human being." Maria Montessori
The Homestead School Photo #3 - The main farm house where our early childhood classrooms are held.
The Homestead School Photo #4 - The barn.
The Homestead School Photo #5 - One of the many nature trails on the campus.
The Homestead School Photo #6 - The sheep, perfectly posed for their portrait.
The Homestead School Photo #7 - "Our aim therefore is not merely to make the children understand, and still less to force them to memorize, but so to touch their imagination as to enthuse them to their innermost core. We do not want complacent pupils, but eager ones.?" Maria Montessori
The Homestead School Photo #8 - We offer in-depth specialty subjects such as art, foreign language, computer training, music, drama, fiber arts, and physical education. Such specialties are embraced by the Homestead staff as an integral part of a program which helps the child to see constant applications for the regular classroom lessons, while firing the creative imagination and stimulating interests to last a lifetime.
The Homestead School Photo #9 - "Montessori classrooms work well when the teacher understands the necessity of continually appealing to children?'s innate behaviors that lead to their adaptation to society and, ultimately, the possibility of changing that society.?" Paula Polk Lillard, Author on Montessori
The Homestead School opened in September, 1978, to provide a rich academic and practical education within an exceptional rural setting.
Non-discriminatory, non-sectarian, Montessori School which offers its students a warm, relaxed nursery program, kindergarten, primary grades and middle school based on the Montessori approach to education.
The Homestead School provides each child with a choice of constructive academic and social experiences of suitable challenge to his level.
The school's handcrafted, manipulative materials offer the child a concrete approach to sequenced programs in math and numbers, language, science, geography, social studies, daily living skills, sensorial training, and large muscle activities.
Attractive and designed for individual use, the learning materials allow each child the chance to take on tasks repeatedly until mastery.
As a result, the child develops independence, self-discipline, and the ability to work with concentration on solving problems.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked NY School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-9
  • Enrollment: 240 students
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 22 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Homestead School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-9
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1978

Student Body

Total Students
240 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
12%
State avg.: 40%
Students by Grade
The Homestead School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
40 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
95%
Average Class Size
22 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
% on Financial Aid
15%
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Peter Comstock

Sports

Total Sports Offered
5 sports

School Notes

  • The Homestead School opened in September, 1978, to provide a rich academic and practical education within an exceptional rural setting. Non-discriminatory, non-sectarian, and associated with the American Montessori Society, the School offers its students a warm, relaxed nursery program, kindergarten, and primary grades based on the Montessori approach to education. The Homestead School provides each child with a choice of constructive academic and social experiences of suitable challenge to his level. The school's handcrafted, manipulative materials offer the child a concrete approach to sequenced programs in math and numbers, language, science, geography, social studies, daily living skills, sensorial training, and large muscle activities. Attractive and designed for individual use, the learning materials allow each child the chance to take on tasks repeatedly until mastery. As a result, the child develops independence, self-discipline, and the ability to work with concentration on solving problems.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of The Homestead School?
The acceptance rate of The Homestead School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 79%.
What sports does The Homestead School offer?
The Homestead School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer and Track and Field.
What is The Homestead School's ranking?
The Homestead School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for The Homestead School?
The application deadline for The Homestead School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (3 reviews)
5  
The Homestead was the most wonderful school that I had ever been to. The teachers were amazing and we would always go outside and into the woods for lunch. In the winter our teachers would always encourage us to go outside and sled, but I would always stay inside because I would rather read a book. There wouldn`t be any desks, instead there were tables and you could walk all around the classroom, it was definitely not a traditional school. Everyone in the classroom would eventually become a second family to you, since you would have all of you classes in the same classroom. I went to the Homestead from Pre-k to 6th grade and I still haven`t found a better school than this one.
- Posted by
5  
I can't say enough wonderful things about the Homestead School. I have a son in first grade and another little one on their way to preschool next year. The directors are friendly, understanding, and involved. Every one of my boy's teachers have been phenomenal. The Montessori method is such a wonderful way for kids to learn. My son loves to be challenged and I know he is each and every day. Besides the excellent academic environment, the students participate in art, Spanish, fiber arts, and drama. The kids are also encouraged to play outside several times each day even when it is cold. My son comes home with his adventurous sled riding stories and couldn't be happier. He tells people all of the time that "he loves school" and he "goes to the best school in the world". I just can't say enough wonderful things about the Homestead.
- Posted by
5  
Homestead is truly a one-of-a-kind school. You sense this as soon as you step onto the gorgeous 85-acre property and meet the founders, who are the among the loveliest people I''ve ever met. When my husband and I first toured, I thought to myself, "Wow, I want to go to school here!" Every time I step on the campus I am amazed by how peaceful and cheerful it is, and how engaged all of the children are. Being a Montessori, the guiding principle at the school is that discovery is at the heart of learning, and Homestead offers the kids there so many incredible opportunities to do this on their own, in nature, with their friends. The teachers know every child's strengths and needs very individually, and help the kids learn to manage their own learning. My daughter is currently finishing first grade and her reading progress this year has been incredible. She is a passionate researcher and loves the natural environment, so Homestead is really the perfect place for her. If you want your child to have more individual attention in a caring, creative, holistic environment, than you can't do any better than Homestead!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked NY School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-9
  • Enrollment: 240 students
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 22 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in New York is $21,733 for elementary schools and $27,615 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in New York is 79% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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