Darrow School

110 Darrow Road
New Lebanon, NY 12125
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Darrow School Photo #1
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Darrow School Photo #1
Darrow School Photo #2 - The athletic program emphasizes teamwork, fitness, and the development of specific skills. All students participate in each of the three seasons. Interscholastic teams compete in soccer, cross-country, basketball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Darrow School Photo #3 - Everyone at Darrow is both a teacher and a learner. Our small classes sizes allow students to develop strong relationships with their faculty, emphasizing the transactional nature of education.
Darrow School Photo #4 - At Darrow, we know that students learn best when they are supported, and our inclusive community focuses on valuing one another for all of our unique perspectives and experiences. Darrow students take special pride in their ability to make every interaction as positive as possible.
Darrow School Photo #5 - Problem-solving, creating, and making are key to a transformative educational experience. Darrow students learn by doing, and in the process, they become comfortable with making mistakes and troubleshooting. They are uniquely prepared for college because they understand how to apply what they're learning in the classroom to what they're doing outside the classroom.
Darrow School Photo #6 - Collaboration is at the center of student work at Darrow. Students learn how to communicate effectively, make comprises, and get the best out of one another by working together on group projects.
Darrow School Photo #7 - Everything at Darrow begins with community. Our community is strong and distinctive because it is based on kindness, celebration of our incredible diversity, and active engagement in the work and joy of everyday life. Find your people at Darrow School.
Darrow School Photo #8 - Boarding school doesn't have to be "school away from home" - it can be a second home. We cultivate a strong sense of place, and you'll find students relaxing and working in many different areas on campus. Students live, work, and study at Darrow, all the while learning to be stewards of their own space.
Darrow School Photo #9 - Our Academic Mentoring Program gives students the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor to develop their study skills and reach their full academic potential. Mentors teach students how to become better readers, writers, public speakers, etc...
At The Darrow School, we know that future success is important, but we also know that reliance on standardized tests, AP courses, and college matriculations can impede the ability of young people to experience success in the present.
And we don`t subscribe to the notion that a college-preparatory education should be all about where students end up.
Preparing students for success after high school means challenging them to find meaning in everything they do; showing them how to communicate with a diverse group of people with an eye toward collaboration and cooperation; developing them into confident self-advocates; and teaching them to care about the world and the people around them.We have seen the impacts that pressure-cooker environments can have on students.
The negative internalizations that develop around the idea of school can be demotivating, at best, and crippling at worst.
At Darrow, we`ve also seen how quickly those negative internalizations can be untangled, allowing students to rediscover a love of learning and a desire to be inspired.You`ll find more information throughout our site on the features and benefits of Darrow.
But as to the question of "why Darrow?", the answer is straightforward: because the world needs what we offer.

Quick Stats (2023-24)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 110 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $68,190
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $42,850
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Darrow School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 288 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2023 School Data
Darrow School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
mild learning differences and executive functioning support
n/a
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1932
1907
Campus Size
365 acres
130 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
110 students
314 students
% Students of Color
30%
25%
% International Students
20%
20%
% Students Boarding
80%
67%
Average SAT Score
1115
* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
no uniforms!
Casual
Average Class Size
9 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
71%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$5.5 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$68,190
(Includes both tuition and boarding fees)
$63,925
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$42,850
$35,185
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$25,000
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
45%
60%
Director of Admissions
Vince Schmidt
Associate Director of Admissions
Kris Magargal

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
13
23
Extracurriculars
Hands-to-Work

Club or Organization:
Blogging Club, Student Government, Students of Diversity, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Fides, Theatre, Vocal Music Instruction

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Calorie Gallery, Etymology, Finance Club, Outdoor Education, Yoga

College Matriculation

Year: 2017 - 2018
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Bennington College
2
Bucknell University
1
Connecticut College
1
Grinnel College
1
Parsons School of Design
1
Purdue University
1
Rochester Institute of Technology
1
Skidmore College
1
Union College
1
Williams College
1

School Notes

  • The Darrow School campus is, in a word, spectacular. Peaceful, private, and brimming with natural color and beauty, not to mention a diverse mix of cultures and ideas, it`s unlike any other private school campus -and probably most other places- you`ve experienced.
  • At The Darrow School, we`re all about trying something new. In fact, it`s a requirement. Take courses in different subject areas, audition for a role in the play, switch from point guard (basketball) to catcher (softball)...but whatever you do, find some meaning in it. Discover that you love literature, find your gift for acting, or learn what a point guard is (basketball). Whatever it is, learn to love it. 
  • Inquire now. 
  • LD types supported: mild learning differences and executive functioning support
  • Darrow School accreditations: New York State Assocation of Independent Schools
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Charles Conrad '49 - Apollo 12 Commander, third man to walk on the moon
    • Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo '78 - Radio Sportscaster, Author
    • Sam Harper, '79 - Screenplay writer of Cheaper by the Dozen & Cheaper by the Dozen II
    • Bill Hudnut '50 - Former mayor of Indianapolis & Congressman, author
    • Christopher Lloyd '57 - Actor. Played "Doc Brown" in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, "Uncle Fester" in "The Addams Family," and many others.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Darrow School cost?
Darrow School's tuition is approximately $68,190 for boarding students and $42,850 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Darrow School?
The acceptance rate of Darrow School is 45%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
Who are famous alumni from Darrow School?
Darrow School famous alumni include: Charles Conrad '49, Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo '78, Sam Harper, '79, Bill Hudnut '50 and Christopher Lloyd '57.
What sports does Darrow School offer?
Darrow School offers 10 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Lacrosse, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee.
What is Darrow School's ranking?
Darrow School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student:teacher ratio.
When is the application deadline for Darrow School?
The application deadline for Darrow School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2017
5.00
Rollins College
Darrow School gave me academic passion. I struggled as a freshman in a public high school and was in need of a change in academic setting to improve my overall experience. Darrow gave me that. . .

Class of 2015
5.00
University of New Hampshire
Darrow is a beautiful school set on a National Historic Landmark, that of the first Shaker settlement in the USA. It holds this history in the buildings still used as dorms and academic spaces, and. . .

Class of 2011
5.00
Furman University
Every Wednesday all students and faculty were grouped into a 'crew' where we would help out around different parts of campus or in the community the school was apart of. It was like community service. . .
Show more reviews (2 reviews)
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Quick Stats (2023-24)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 110 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $68,190
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $42,850
  • Acceptance rate: 45%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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