Creating Active, Thoughtful Citizens

The Hudson Valley is a wonderful place to raise a family, and there are many educational options. The Navigator Institute is distinct. Beginning with Poughkeepsie Day School’s mission—creating transformative learning experiences that inspire intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and compassion—we are building a curriculum around students as individuals and the demands of the world awaiting them. Our school’s strong connection to local colleges, and our narrative reports and non-graded system that are already well-known to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, added to a new curriculum that is built with the missions and visions of local organizations in mind, set us on a sure path to create a generation of powerfully inquisitive and generous individuals. Students will begin that journey as soon as they walk through the door. Together, with the assistance of devoted faculty and deliberate experiential learning, they will begin to advocate for themselves, for each other, and for the world around them.

The new program, focused on service, engagement, and self-efficacy, reflects a carefully considered balance of elements, including academic coursework, community involvement, and personal wellness support. Each student will be supported by their teachers, an advisor, and, from freshman year, a college counselor. We understand that young adults benefit from guidance towards discovering significant meaning in their learning. Both in and out of the classroom, students will be supported in their quest to explore their own interests, take intellectual risks, and find comfort in unfamiliarity. We support students to embrace and work through the inherent discomfort in the process of learning. As independence grows, responsibility for oneself and the community are recognized.

 

Courses That Are Both Challenging and Engaging

Students are continually enrolled in courses that fall into the categories of: humanities, math, science, arts, world language, central study, physical education, and health & wellness. By creating a curriculum that meets 21st-century needs and the interests of the individual, we are setting the parameters for students to reach for ever-greater levels of excellence in their coursework, and discover new strengths and interests as they deepen their knowledge base.

 

An Advisory Program That is Woven Into the Fabric of the Day 

A small advisor to student ratio fosters thoughtful and purposeful guidance. Advisors are student advocates and the primary point of contact between school and home. They work closely with students to set goals, identify strengths and needs, and individualize programs as needed. Advisors will also work with students to prepare for family conferences. Group meetings provide opportunities to practice life skills, strengthen connections to the school community, and discuss important school and societal dynamics. Every student will have a daily check-in with their advisor to recognize the day’s achievements, make a plan for completing work, and set objectives for the next day.  

 

What is Community-Engaged Learning? Why is Service so Important?

Since 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School has been a strong community; the support network extends far beyond one’s assigned teachers and an advisor. All faculty and staff are in regular contact with each student and their family throughout the school day. This means that students are seen, heard, known, and valued; we know their likes and dislikes, learning style, and their hopes and dreams for themselves and for the world. Being at this level of familiarity is a boon to planning external and internal community engagement and service learning opportunities. It is our priority not only to learn about the world outside of our school, but to find our place within it, and have an impact. To that end, it will be an expectation that every student at the Navigator Institute is involved in at least one mission-consistent organization. The expertise they gain in this area will extend into the school day with mixed age teaching and student leadership opportunities. In the 2023-24 school year, we have already built connections with over two dozen local groups in preparation for our incoming 9th graders. At Poughkeepsie Day School, we believe that it is each of our responsibility to positively impact the lives of others. A foundation in community-engaged learning is fundamental to that.

 

Personalized College Preparation

Beginning in 9th grade, students’ strengths, struggles, and personal interests guide their advising program. Wednesday’s Central Study is the equivalent of having a different area of specialization each semester. As students take part in these intensive courses, including performing arts projects, math and science research with specialists in and out of  school, and literary projects where they’ll connect with published authors, our faculty will guide them towards opportunities that further their skills, knowledge, and passion. Add to this an expectation of service linked to all of the above, and the result is a highly competitive application to a college of choice. Poughkeepsie Day School graduates have attended our nation’s most prestigious universities, and we will prepare our new generation of Navigators to reach even higher. When students arrive at their junior year, regular family meetings with our college counselor will thoroughly guide this process. Those pursuing the visual arts and music will be supported in building portfolios to aid in their applications. Students applying to STEM fields will be partnered with specialists to ensure that their projects give them a competitive advantage. We will make the college application process understandable, manageable, and personalized.

 

Evaluation

Poughkeepsie Day School uses comprehensive narrative evaluations in place of letter or number grades. Students will not be ranked. Official transcripts will list courses taken and credits received. Evaluations will address all aspects of student performance, noting strengths as well as areas of need that may require greater attention and support. Narratives are written with the expectation that even the most able and accomplished students can enhance their skills and understanding. Admissions departments at some of our nation’s most prestigious universities have noted that our students’ reports tell them more information than any other type of evaluation format.

 

Graduation Expectations

By the end of their career at the Navigator Institute, students will have developed:

• Self-reliance in managing time, fully completing work, and understanding the process of developing and completing major projects;
• The drive to interconnect with the community in meaningful ways and to be helpful to others in truly significant and ongoing ways;
• Competence generating written, well-documented arguments in a range of disciplines;
• A strong, ongoing demonstrable interest, skill, or discipline which has been sustained over a period of more than one year.