School Overview
School Community
Haldane Central School District is a small, close-knit school community located 50 miles north of Manhattan along the Hudson River in the historic Village of Cold Spring. Its three schools are located on one campus where students enjoy significant interaction K-12. The campus environment and small class sizes create a strong sense of connection among Haldane’s faculty, staff, students, families, and the surrounding community. Known for its outstanding academic reputation, Haldane believes that learning and the education of the whole child is a collaborative, community-based responsibility.
Elementary School
Haldane Elementary School serves 300 students in a warm, nurturing environment. Each student is well known to faculty and staff, and expectations are high for all. With strong support from parents, the school boasts a community garden, a chess program for 3rd-5th graders, and a once-a-month visit from a professional chef who teaches healthy cooking. Science is taught using the Science 21 curriculum, a hands-on, inquiry-based program developed by teachers for teachers. Language arts and social studies are integrated and aligned with the state’s Social Studies Framework and Literacy standards.
High School
Haldane High School (HHS) was named a 2023 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School for overall academic excellence based on state assessments and national standards. With 315 students, the high school has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. HHS was ranked 105 out of 1,180 Best Public High Schools in New York and #1 in Putnam County, according to Niche. Students learn in a progressive culture of collaboration and innovation. HHS emphasizes authentic, experiential learning opportunities that allow students to explore interests and delve deeply into subjects. Committed to the individual learner, faculty encourage students to challenge themselves through appropriate rigorous coursework. In 2024, Haldane invested in additional clinical support to better meet the needs of today’s students. The drama, music, and visual arts departments are exceptional. Professional musicians guide the jazz band, and local professors inspire creative writing and poetry. Student athletes compete across 19 varsity teams, many on a turf field upgraded in 2024. Blue Devil school spirit is steeped in generations of tradition and pride.
Capital Project
The District is in the design and development phase of a $28.4 million capital project approved by voters in November 2024. The project features a 16,500 sq. ft. addition to the high school building which will include classrooms, a STEAM Innovation Lab, an art room, a student support services wing, and a multi-use student center.
Campus-wide, the project also includes safety and security upgrades, an elementary and middle school STEAM classroom, support services offices, infrastructure repairs, and sitework with a traffic flow redesign. Completion is anticipated over the next three to four years.
Middle School
Haldane Middle School serves 160 students in grades 6-8 in a supportive, caring atmosphere. Each grade has a core team of teachers delivering math, science, language arts, social studies, and special education. Project-based learning encourages inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and student agency. In 6th grade, students take electives in ecology, programming with Scratch, and Model UN. Seventh graders take a Learner Profile course based on Dr. Paul Yellin's work with educational neuroscience. Eighth grade students explore civic and engineering projects in the Innovation and Design Lab and Maker Space. Students take three years of foreign language, have opportunities for accelerated math and science, and participate in art, music, chorus, band, physical education, home and careers, and health. Modified athletics, student council, and a growing number of clubs are offered.
Pupil Personnel Services
The critical components of Pupil Personnel Services at Haldane are inclusion, social-emotional development, and innovation. We encourage students to understand their own learning process and how that can be used to collaborate and communicate with others. Innovation in the delivery of instruction and special services for the varied needs of all learners help us prepare our students for lifelong success.