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!