Poughkeepsie City School District
Together, We are Champions for Children in Poughkeepsie City Schools
This morning, our Air Force Junior ROTC held its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony.The solemn service at the Poughkeepsie High School flagpole, attended by most of the student body and staff, paid t...
September 11, 2026
There’s a reason Deputy Superintendent of Schools Da’Ron Wilson calls the Poughkeepsie City School District’s HMH curriculum initiative a “game changer.”The intervention resources for educators to ...
September 7, 2026
Charles Spencer Jr. didn’t make it five steps onto Poughkeepsie High School’s football field before seeing a familiar face.One hug soon became two, with handshakes and pats on the back coming from ...
September 5, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District is excited to implement the fully aligned HMH curriculum this fall.But, what do the teachers think of the change?Educators throughout grades K-5 had their firs...
September 2, 2026
A little rain couldn't spoil Krieger Elementary School's party. With a gymnasium filled with eager students and families, the Welcome to Krieger Bash on Monday served as an energetic start to the n...
September 2, 2026
Monday was an opportunity for incoming Truth Elementary families to get to know their new school, classrooms and teachers, while learning more about services available around the community. Truth h...
September 2, 2026
Part orientation event, part block party, Clinton Elementary welcomed the coming school year with a memorable celebration Monday.The day was an opportunity for new and returning families to meet wi...
September 2, 2026
Looking for a way to assist Poughkeepsie City School District students throughout the year?The City of Poughkeepsie is seeking to hire school crossing guards to keep kids safe.Crossing guards would...
September 2, 2026
Hello PCSD Families,Please see the attached letter from Deputy Superintendent Da'Ron Wilson regarding how we teach reading in our schools and how we can work together to support your child's readin...
September 1, 2026
Dozens of new Warring Elementary families got to know their school Thursday evening.The school held its new student orientation, creating a fun and informative experience despite being limited by r...
August 28, 2026
Graduating high school is among the most meaningful achievements in a young person’s life.The timing of that accomplishment, Board of Education President Jamar Cummings impressed upon the graduatin...
August 26, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District will have a new curriculum system for the 2026-27 school year.During a special meeting Monday evening, the Board of Education approved an agreement to implemen...
August 25, 2026
Poughkeepsie High School’s rising seniors took part in a four-day College Prep Boot Camp at Marist University, diving into the college application process before the school year begins.The Aug. 17-...
August 21, 2026
Orientation days are about getting to know new environments and the school community in place to guide students for the coming years.Thursday’s Smith Elementary School orientation, though, became m...
August 21, 2026
On Sept. 4, Poughkeepsie High School will honor its most accomplished football player of the past half-century.The Pioneers on that date will retire the jersey of Charles Spencer Jr., who played fo...
August 10, 2026
Members of the Smart Scholars Early College High School Performing Arts Academy last month earned college credits through summer programs at Dutchess Community College, which included a two-night e...
August 7, 2026
Sixth grade orientation at Poughkeepsie Middle School is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.The orientation at the school, which will run until noon, is an opportunity for incoming students an...
August 6, 2026
It’s been a busy summer of activity inside and outside of Poughkeepsie City School District buildings.As the transformative Strong Schools Equal Strong Communities Capital Project continues, major ...
August 4, 2026
Attention all incoming freshmen! Four weeks from today is Poughkeepsie High School’s Freshman Orientation for the Class of 2030, and all rising ninth grade students and their families are welcome!C...
July 31, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District will hold its August High School Graduation Ceremony 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Jane Bolin Administration Building, 18 S. Perry St.The ceremony is bein...
July 31, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District offers school bus transportation to many elementary students and others, and we need your help to ensure all eligible students are ready to be served in the fa...
July 22, 2026
Students who took part in the Poughkeepsie City School District’s pre-Kindergarten program this year must re-register with the district to attend kindergarten in the 2026-27 school year.Any family ...
July 17, 2026
The main entrance to Poughkeepsie High School is closed due to ongoing capital improvement work happening at the building.In addition to repaving of the parking areas at the school, the main entran...
July 14, 2026
Last month, two of Poughkeepsie High School’s standout sophomores, Emily Tenecela and Edwin Silva, represented the district at the prestigious Hugh O'Brian Youth – or, HOBY – Leadership Conference,...
July 13, 2026
Five students from the Poughkeepsie City School District were among those honored during the Resilience Academy’s Graduation Day Ceremony and Celebration June 24.The Dutchess BOCES program’s event ...
July 1, 2026
Watch the full ceremony above; scroll down to see timestamps for key momentsOne by one, 186 Poughkeepsie High School students Friday evening walked across a stage, shook hands with school, district...
June 27, 2026
After a year in which he established a standard for Poughkeepsie Middle School students to strive to meet, Barrington Atkins set an example while saying goodbye to his first class of eighth grade s...
June 25, 2026
Wearing a full suit with a microphone in hand, Barrington Atkins opened orientation for incoming students and parents last August by introducing himself.“My name is Barrington Atkins,” he said. “I ...
June 24, 2026
Moving up ceremonies recognize impending departures and endings.In honoring her fifth grade class on Wednesday, Warring Principal Nicole Penn focused on entrances and beginnings.“Many students in t...
June 17, 2026
Seventy-four Clinton Elementary School students on Monday received a literal red carpet treatment.It wasn’t because they are moving on from the school – many have a couple years before that happens...
June 17, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District’s second graders are not yet graduating this June. That’s a decade away. They’re not moving up from the primary to secondary level. And, they’re not moving up ...
June 12, 2026
Pixie Brown was nervous before the annual Awards and Scholarships Celebration at Poughkeepsie High School Tuesday evening.She didn’t know what scholarships she may win. But, that’s not what she was...
June 3, 2026
Kids ages 18 and under in the City of Poughkeepsie will be able to get free lunch and breakfast Monday through Friday throughout the summer once again.The Poughkeepsie City School District Summer M...
May 29, 2026
Across the Poughkeepsie City School District, young scholars are preparing to celebrate academic achievements at year-end awards, moving up and graduation ceremonies, as well as picnics and other e...
May 29, 2026
Want to learn more about the Poughkeepsie City School District’s summer programs? How about athletics camps? Art programs? Summer opportunities that encourage STEM exploration, innovation and even ...
May 22, 2026
For the third consecutive month, Smith Elementary School set the pace for all Poughkeepsie City School District Schools in the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge in April.On Friday morning, the school ...
May 22, 2026
Registration for the Poughkeepsie City School District’s summer program for grades K-5 is open now.Visit this link to register for the free half-day program, which begins July 7 and ends July 30, M...
May 22, 2026
Students are expecting to find few new additions when they return to Sojourner Truth Elementary School Tuesday morning.The school has been incubating chicken eggs inside its Innovation Lab for the ...
May 22, 2026
Krieger Elementary School students on May 13 celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a visit from the Ajna Dance Company.The experience was “amazing,” Principal Melissa Barro...
May 22, 2026
A group of Poughkeepsie Middle School students will take the stage at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House Thursday evening to show the community what they’ve learned about their community, their culture ...
May 20, 2026
In the past year, the Poughkeepsie City School District has instituted bus service for elementary students, reorganized its elementary buildings, opened innovation labs and reinforced its emphasis ...
May 20, 2026
All district students in grades 3 through 12, parents/guardians and teachers are asked to participate in the upcoming 2025-26 Diagnostic Tool for School and District Effectiveness, or DTSDE, survey...
May 14, 2026
Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott has been meeting with groups, including with students at Truth, Warring and the high and middle schools, regarding the Poughkeepsie City School District’s Cod...
May 14, 2026
Students learned more about the military as a post-graduation pathway through a panel held at Poughkeepsie High School’s library.The May 4 panel spanned a wide range of military branches, with spea...
May 14, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District’s annual budget and Board of Election vote is Tuesday.On Tuesday, May 19, polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at five district school buildings; early mai...
May 13, 2026
The circus is coming to town, courtesy of Clinton Elementary’s fifth grade.The annual circus featuring Poughkeepsie City School District students at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House is 6 p.m. Thursday...
May 13, 2026
Before Mari Ruiz Hernandez gave up the microphone at Wednesday’s Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education meeting, she used her platform to convey a message:“I want you to know that aut...
May 12, 2026
Poughkeepsie High School held its annual Senior Signing Day event Friday, as members of the Class of 2026 received the star treatment in recognition of their post-graduation plans.More than 110 stu...
May 11, 2026
Early in his assembly at Poughkeepsie Middle School Monday morning, Keith L. Brown – known as “Mr. I’m Possible” – had difficulty with his microphone.Though another was swiftly passed toward him, h...
May 4, 2026
Thavion Scott has been to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House before. But, he’s never looked out from the stage or explored the backstage.'Thursday, he and 15 of his classmates had chance. Scott, along w...
May 4, 2026
Krieger Elementary School’s kindergarten classes enjoyed Career Week last week. It was an opportunity to explore several different jobs before each class took turns role-playing the professions for...
April 29, 2026
Throughout April, the Poughkeepsie City School District’s second grade classes took field trips to The Preserve at Vassar to enjoy the outdoors, observe nature and continue their instruction for th...
April 29, 2026
It’s not uncommon to hear sounds of excitement in the hallways at Krieger Elementary School. It’s less common to hear what one student squealed Monday afternoon:“Look at my tail!”The excitement wil...
April 28, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District is launching an exciting new element to bus service called Safety Pass, designed to improve the safety of students and communication between the buses, parents...
April 27, 2026
Hello Poughkeepsie Families,Join us for our Special Education Parent Workshop on Saturday, May 2nd from 10–11 AM at Poughkeepsie Middle School, 55 College Ave. (Room 101). We’ll talk about your rig...
April 27, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District will ask residents to support a budget for the 2026-27 academic year that maintains services, supports the landmark initiatives launched this year and remains ...
April 23, 2026
Varian Johnson was a published, professional author several times over. Still, he considered giving up.He explained to a gymnasium filled with the Poughkeepsie City School District’s fourth graders...
April 21, 2026
For the second consecutive month, the Poughkeepsie City School District’s smallest school is home to the Monthly Literacy Leader trophy.Smith Elementary read the most minutes in the Poughkeepsie Re...
April 16, 2026
Eight recent Poughkeepsie High School graduates returned to the school last month to speak with current students about what to expect from college and life in general post-graduation.Designed as a ...
April 10, 2026
This Friday is a free Family Fun Night at The Academy presented by Read the World.The event, from 5 to 7 p.m., will feature the opportunity to meet Varian Johnson, the author of “Playing the Cards ...
April 10, 2026
Hello PCSD Families,We are committed to empowering every PCSD family by providing the resources you need most. We invite you to visit the Parent Empowerment Center, located right here at Poughkeeps...
April 10, 2026
Students at Krieger Elementary School last month enjoyed an engaging Supermarket Science Assembly, which mixed scientific experimentation with lots of laughter.Students discovered how everyday item...
April 10, 2026
While the students were on recess, the construction crews made progress.There was a flurry of activity at several district buildings last week, namely Poughkeepsie Middle School, where two major re...
April 10, 2026
Around 30 Poughkeepsie High School students spent a portion of their Spring Recess experiencing what post-graduation life may be like and thinking about what it will take to reach those goals.The s...
April 10, 2026
This Saturday, and on every April 11 in the future, the Poughkeepsie City School District will celebrate Jane Bolin Day.The Board of Education approved a resolution Wednesday declaring the district...
April 10, 2026
Throughout the school year, members of the Poughkeepsie High School Air Force Junior ROTC attend various events performing services. At each, Cadet Maj. Milton Kamura said, “we talk about how impor...
March 26, 2026
Sojourner Truth Elementary students this week received a lesson in science with a side of sweets.Each class visited the Innovation Lab to conduct a special experiment using Peeps marshmallow treats...
March 26, 2026
All families who applied for their student to join the Poughkeepsie City School District’s pre-K program for the 2026-27 school year will have a seat in the program at their preferred location.At t...
March 25, 2026
A couple dozen names into the list he was reading from a podium inside Poughkeepsie High School’s cafeteria last Wednesday, Jason Conrad took a long breath.“That was one page,” the 12th grade couns...
March 25, 2026
The Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education honored students excelling in the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge at its meeting March 18.The students who read the most minutes in each scho...
March 23, 2026
Earlier this month, Truth Elementary launched an art program in its Innovation Lab, administered by The Art Effect and facilitated through City Connects.Fifteen first and second grade students are ...
March 23, 2026
An annual opportunity for students to learn about each state in the country found a new home Friday at Smith Elementary.Fifth grade students put their work on display for younger students and famil...
March 20, 2026
Learning across the Poughkeepsie City School District will soon become more innovative.The district is accelerating its use of the newly created Innovation Labs through training, sharing best pract...
March 18, 2026
Warring Elementary fifth grade students today welcomed several guests from IBM for a special lesson in engineering.The visit was part of the Mid-Hudson Valley Engineers Week program, in which engin...
March 13, 2026
The PTA at Krieger Elementary School noticed, at a school dance party last year, many students felt overwhelmed by the volume of the music and surrounding noise.Which is why this year’s edition, la...
March 13, 2026
How much would a snail move on sandpaper? What about on a sponge?Second grade students throughout the Poughkeepsie City School District could probably tell you, after gaining the tools to predict, ...
March 12, 2026
Victor Nelson III recently completed a standout career for the Poughkeepsie High School boys basketball team, scoring his 1,000th career point on Senior Night and earning distinction as the Dutches...
March 11, 2026
With 219 students, Smith Elementary is the smallest school in the Poughkeepsie City School District.But, in February, the students at Smith combined to read more than 36,990 minutes during the firs...
March 9, 2026
Hi, PHS, PMS.Krieger, Warring, Truth, Clinton, and Smith Families!Please join us at Krieger Elementary on March 25 from 4 to 5 pm. to cook as a family together with Mamala¡Hola familias de PHS, PMS...
March 6, 2026
Poughkeepsie Middle School’s RISE recognitions in February featured a double dose of fun to cap the first half of the year.The school for its second-quarter celebration held a group assembly for al...
March 6, 2026
The Poughkeepsie High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or AFJROTC, held its annual awards and promotions ceremony last month, an opportunity for the entire club to celebrate ...
March 6, 2026
The Poughkeepsie High School Multicultural Club last week held a “book tasting” in celebration of Black History Month.With the help of librarian Dr. Shannon Mersand and club adviser Ashalet Gooden,...
March 6, 2026
Dear Parents/ Guardians,Please fill out the Smart Scholars Early College High School Program application using this link: https://forms.gle/sn2DjGyLKL6AjrNs9 See Program Information belowThe Smart ...
March 5, 2026
Sakima McClinton grew up in Poughkeepsie and became the first Black woman from New York to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.She’s the chairperson of the City of Poughk...
March 3, 2026
As a tour chef for some of music’s most recognizable names, Maureen Brice hasn’t always had every ingredient at her disposal. That didn’t stop her, though, from making an artist’s favorite dish bef...
March 2, 2026
Five Vassar College QuestBridge scholars visited Poughkeepsie High School on Feb. 19 to connect with juniors and share their experiences.QuestBridge is a national program that connects high-achievi...
March 2, 2026
Painting, crafts, basketball, photos and, yes, even snacks.Clinton Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of school instruction Feb. 20 with a wide array of activities designed for both educati...
March 2, 2026
Poughkeepsie High School’s newly renovated auditorium officially reopened Tuesday.The expansive project marks a major step forward for the Poughkeepsie City School District’s emphasis on increasing...
February 25, 2026
Clinton Elementary School celebrated Black History Month with a series of performances by the fifth grade class for their fellow students, family members and guests.Led by fifth grade teacher Esthe...
February 25, 2026
The Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge encourages students of all ages to read at least 20 minutes a day, with time devoted during the school day to help them achieve that goal.Krieger Elementary secon...
February 25, 2026
In advance of Valentine’s Day, Sojourner Truth Elementary School held its inaugural Tall & Small Valentine’s Day Ball Feb. 12, with more than 250 attending.The semi-formal dance was held in two...
February 25, 2026
Through the first half of this school year, Poughkeepsie High School students in Ashalet Gooden’s Holocaust Literature course took a deep dive into one of history’s most horrific and impactful mome...
February 11, 2026
Two years ago, a bon bon changed Chriis Gaskin’s life.She was on a tour of the Dutchess BOCES Career and Technical Institute with classmates. The then-Poughkeepsie High School sophomore was eager t...
February 9, 2026
As the first week of the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge comes to a close, Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott is happy to report district students are already on track to meet the goal of 1 mill...
February 6, 2026
The Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge officially kicked off this week and Wednesday marked the first edition of Poughkeepsie Reads Wednesday.While students throughout the challenge are encouraged to r...
February 5, 2026
Three members of the Poughkeepsie High School debate club took part in the annual Westchester County Regional High School Ethics Bowl on Saturday, winning one of three matches.The Jan. 31 competiti...
February 3, 2026
The Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge begins tomorrow!Students across the district, from pre-K to high school seniors, will be encouraged to read 20 minutes each day, with a shared goal of reaching on...
February 2, 2026
Before he could vote, Jamar Cummings remembers visiting the polls with his grandmother.She was not able to vote until she was in her 30s, he explained to a room of Poughkeepsie Middle School studen...
January 28, 2026
While most were tucked inside their homes Sunday, watching snow fall inch by inch from behind the safety of a window, the Poughkeepsie City School District’s maintenance and custodial staff were ou...
January 28, 2026
Raylene Ackerbauer’s College Writing 101 classes recently punctuated a unit analyzing “In Cold Blood,” the landmark non-fiction Truman Capote novel, with a pair of mock trials.The Poughkeepsie High...
January 26, 2026