• Poughkeepsie High School

    Poughkeepsie High School graduatesPoughkeepsie High School is a vibrant community of students and faculty with an educational approach focused on college and career preparation and community engagement.

    In addition to offering the traditional courses needed to graduate high school, PHS offers a variety of special Honors, Advanced Placement and focused career pathways programs to enrich the learning experience and elevate student success.

    The school serves a student population that was, in 2022-23, approximately 46.1% Black/African American, 41.3% Hispanic/Latino, 5.2% white, 6.4% multiracial and less than 1% American Indian/Alaska Native/, Asian or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

    Roughly 79% of students could be characterized as economically disadvantaged. About 20% of students received some form of special education support, and 14% were English language learners.

    Among its unique educational opportunities is the Smart Scholars Early College High School Performing Arts Academy. The first-of-its-kind program, in association with Dutchess Community College and The Bardavon 1869 Opera House, offers specialized training and college credits in all aspects of the performing arts, in addition to foundational high school learning with intensive tutoring and career counseling.

    The program is part of the Poughkeepsie City School District’s Transformation Pathways Initiative, which offers specialized learning in employment areas, such as computer science, business and education, to expose students to what those potential jobs may entail.

    The school also offers a five-year technology program, called E-Tech, in collaboration with Dutchess Community College and Central Hudson, a School to Work program, and connects students with a variety of Dutchess BOCES programs.

    In addition, the school features electives and creative pathways to graduation approved by New York State including Ceramics, Creative Writing, Concert Band, Chorus, Gothic Literature, Acting and Playwriting, Folktales, Myths and Legends, Criminal Justice, Black History, Financial Literacy and Psychology, to name just a few.

    Outside of the classroom, students have many clubs and extra-curricular activity options, such as National Honor Society, My Brother’s Keeper, Sister 2 Sister, the Student Association, Debate Club, Environmental Club, Science Olympiad, Culture Shock, Multicultural coalition, Drama Club, Jazz Ensemble, Art Club, the Pioneer Post newspaper, Yearbook Committee, Ski Club, and the PK 10K Project running program.

    PHS also offers a wide range of athletic opportunities for students such as soccer, basketball, football, baseball, softball, crew, bowling, track and field, cross country, cheerleading, wrestling, tennis, swimming and volleyball.

    And, PHS is very proud of its JROTC program, which allows students to receive instruction from Chief Master Sgt. Mary Wagner via a curriculum designed by the United States Air Force.

    In addition, the Teen Closet Program offers students access to hygiene products, clothing, rain gear and more - all donated by members of the Poughkeepsie community. Staff and students volunteer to keep the closet up and running.

    The school is helped by many community partner organizations, including but not limited to:

    • The Art Effect
    • The Bardavon 1869 Opera House
    • Stringendo
    • Central Hudson
    • The City of Poughkeepsie
    • The Poughkeepsie Alliance
    • The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce
    • Dutchess BOCES
    • Dutchess Community College
    • Marist College
    • Vassar College

     

    Phone: (845) 451-4850
    Fax: (845) 451-4807

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