In 1934, with 35 students in kindergarten through 8th grade, a faculty of three and a budget of $8,250, Poughkeepsie Day School opened its doors. Located on the corner of Hooker and South Grand avenues in the city of Poughkeepsie, it boasted a thematic curriculum in a setting filled with creative expression and the happy voices of children. Closely affiliated with the Vassar College child-study department, PDS was hailed even then as part of the innovative educational movement built on the writings of John Dewey and other leading thinkers of the day. Elizabeth C. Gilkeson was the school’s founding director.

The original home of Poughkeepsie Day School, circa 1949

1934: PDS established

1935: Elizabeth C. Gilkeson named first director

1936: Pre-school program added

1940: 9th grade added

1963: PDS moves to new building on Vassar campus at 39 New Hackensack Road, town of Poughkeepsie

1965: Leonard Opdycke (1965-1972) becomes head of school with new vision for the school using the open-classroom  model

1970: 10th through 12th grades added

1991: New head of school Tony Buccelli (1991-2001)

1994: PDS purchases Kenyon House 

1995: Middle and high schools move to Kenyon while lower school remains at “39”

1997: PDS buys IBM Briefing Center and 19 adjoining acres from IBM

1998: Renovation of new building completed, including addition of new gymnasium and creation of James Earl Jones Theater

1999: Elizabeth C. Gilkeson Center officially dedicated at Founders’ Day

2006: Josie Holford named 14th head of school

2007: Vision 2020 strategic plan approved

2009: Phase one of capital improvements project completed

2009-2010: 75th anniversary celebration!