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Philipstown, NY, town hallPhoto: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0
A
Schools in Philipstown · Haldane Central School District, Garrison Union Free School District

Philipstown’s public schools outscore 89% of New York districts

On the state reading tests, 72% of Philipstown’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (49%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Philipstown, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New York, not nationally.

#53of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
72%
▲ 23 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
65%
▲ 19 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–13 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$32.3K
▼ 7% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024 · Haldane Central
Students per teacher
9.3
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
982 students on the public path
In brief

Philipstown’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 72% and math 65% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Haldane Central spends $32,256 per student and Garrison Union Free $40,691, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Manitou School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Philipstown’s grade

A Test scoresA Graduation

A: better than 89% of New York school districts, #53 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 89%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (433)Better than 85%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 496 test results and a graduating class of 66 could put Philipstown anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 89% of Philipstown’s students in the tested grades sat them (492 in math, 500 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Philipstown, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–82 schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+
9–12Haldane High SchoolHaldane Central School DistrictA+

Philipstown runs its own schools through grade 8 (Garrison Union Free School District). From grade K, students attend the Haldane Central School District, shared with Cold Spring and Nelsonville. Parts of Philipstown (6% of its land) are served by Lakeland Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Philipstown

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Haldane Central School DistrictGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 774 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 9.2 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$32,256NY $34,607 · FY2024
A
Garrison Union Free School DistrictGrades PK–8 · 1 schools · 208 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 9.6 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$40,691NY $34,607 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · K–12, Haldane Central School District72%
State average 48.9% · 368 students tested
Math · K–12, Haldane Central School District68%
State average 46.5% · 362 students tested
Reading · PK–8, Garrison Union Free School District72%
State average 48.9% · 132 students tested
Math · PK–8, Garrison Union Free School District57%
State average 46.5% · 130 students tested

Philipstown vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New York towns that share Philipstown’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PhilipstownAGarrison Union Free PK–8 · Haldane Central K–12
HighlandsBHighland Falls Central
Putnam ValleyAPutnam Valley Central
FishkillBWappingers Central PK–12 · Beacon City PK–12
CortlandtA−Hendrick Hudson Central PK–12 · Lakeland Central PK–12 · Croton-Harmon Union Free K–12
KentB−Carmel Central
CornwallACornwall Central
Stony PointCHaverstraw-Stony Point Central

Every school in Philipstown

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Philipstownby address
Garrison School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Garrison
B+
208 students10:1Rate it →
Haldane Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Cold Spring
B
293 students9:1Rate it →
Haldane Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Cold Spring
B+
163 students8:1Rate it →
Haldane High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Cold Spring
A+
318 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Manitou School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Cold Spring
Private · Nonsectarian
169 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Philipstown’s schools

Are Philipstown’s schools good?

By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Philipstown children attend outscore 89% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #53 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Philipstown in?

Two districts: Garrison Union Free School District runs grades PK–8, and Haldane Central School District runs grades K–12, shared with Cold Spring and Nelsonville.

Where do Philipstown kids go to high school?

Haldane High School in Cold Spring, with 318 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Philipstown’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Haldane Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Philipstown spend per student?

$32,256 in Haldane Central School District and $40,691 in Garrison Union Free School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Philipstown?

Yes: Manitou School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 169 students).

Parents talk

What Philipstown families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Philipstown → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New York. Stars are from neighbors.