A Complete Guide for Families Moving to the Hudson Valley
Choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions families make when relocating—and Orange County, NY continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for those seeking top-tier education options just outside New York City. While the region is known for strong public districts (like Monroe-Woodbury, Cornwall, Warwick, Goshen, and Tuxedo), Orange County also offers an outstanding selection of private, independent, and faith-based schools that provide personalized learning, small class sizes, specialized programs, and values-based environments.
Whether you’re moving here for work, lifestyle, or a change of pace, this guide covers every major private school option in Orange County, NY, with descriptions, links, and nearby communities to consider.
Why Families Choose Private Schools in Orange County, NY
Orange County has become a magnet for families looking for a balance between suburban living and educational excellence. Private schools in the region offer:
- ✔️ Smaller class sizes & individualized attention
- ✔️ Academic rigor and accelerated programs
- ✔️ Strong arts, STEM, and sports offerings
- ✔️ Faith-based education options
- ✔️ Supportive, community-oriented environments
- ✔️ Convenient access from towns like Monroe, Central Valley, Goshen, New Windsor, Warwick & Middletown
And—perhaps most importantly—many private schools here have tuition costs significantly lower than those in NYC or Westchester.
Major Private Schools in Orange County, NY
⭐ 1. The Storm King School — Cornwall-on-Hudson
Grades: 8–12 | Type: Independent, Boarding & Day
Website: https://www.sks.org/
One of the premier private schools in the Hudson Valley, The Storm King School offers a college-preparatory curriculum, robust arts programs, competitive athletics, and a global student community. Located atop Mount Storm King, the campus overlooks the Hudson River—arguably one of the most scenic educational settings in New York.
Ideal for families in: Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, West Point, Monroe
⭐ 2. Oakwood Friends School — Poughkeepsie (near Orange County)
Grades: 6–12 | Type: Quaker, Independent
Website: https://oakwoodfriends.org/
Though located just outside Orange County, Oakwood Friends draws many Orange County families due to its strong academics, Quaker values, and boarding options. Known for arts, humanities, and inclusive education.
Ideal for families in: Newburgh, Montgomery, Walden, Cornwall
⭐ 3. The Mount Academy — Esopus (serving Orange County families)
Grades: 9–12 | Type: Mennonite, College Prep
Website: https://themountacademy.org/
A top-performing high school known for math and science excellence. While outside Orange County, many Hudson Valley families commute here.
⭐ 4. John S. Burke Catholic High School — Goshen
Grades: 9–12 | Type: Catholic, College Prep
Website: https://www.burkecatholic.com/
A leading Catholic high school offering AP courses, championship athletics, engineering and robotics clubs, and strong college placement.
Nearby communities: Goshen, Chester, Florida, Warwick, Monroe
⭐ 5. St. John School — Monroe, NY
Grades: PreK–8 | Type: Catholic
Website: https://stjohnmonroe.com/
A beloved local school known for strong academics, character development, and a tight-knit community. Popular among Monroe-Woodbury families.
Nearby communities: Monroe, Central Valley, Highland Mills, Harriman
⭐ 6. Sacred Heart School — Monroe
Grades: PreK–8 | Type: Catholic
Website: https://www.sacredheartmonroe.org/
Another excellent Monroe private school offering a values-based curriculum and a family-oriented environment. Small class sizes and a warm culture make it a standout.
⭐ 7. St. Stephen–St. Edward School — Warwick
Grades: PreK–8 | Type: Catholic
Website: https://www.ststephenelem.org/
Known for academic excellence, arts programs, and a beautiful campus in the heart of Warwick.
⭐ 8. Harmony Christian School — Goshen
Grades: PreK–12 | Type: Christian
Website: https://www.harmonychristianschool.com/
Offers a Christ-centered curriculum, athletics, and fine arts. One of the only private schools in Orange County offering a full PreK–12 program under one roof.
⭐ 9. Touro University (K–12 programs through affiliates) — Newburgh
Some families use Touro’s local network to connect with specialized tutoring, academic enrichment, and early college programs.
⭐ 10. Montessori Schools in Orange County
Families seeking Montessori education have several strong options:
River Valley Waldorf School (nearby in New Paltz)
Montessori Children’s Center — Newburgh
The Children’s Montessori Center — New Windsor
Early childhood programs rooted in Montessori learning.
Faith-Based & Specialized Private Schools
Orange County also includes several niche private school offerings:
Yeshiva & Hebrew Day Schools
Primarily located in Monroe, Kiryas Joel, Chester, and Woodbury.
Special Education & Therapeutic Schools
- The Center for Discovery (nearby in Sullivan County)
- Community therapeutic programs in Newburgh & Goshen
Which Towns in Orange County Offer the Best Access to Private Schools?
If you’re relocating and want to be near multiple private school options, consider:
Monroe / Central Valley / Woodbury (MW School District)
- Close to Sacred Heart School
- Close to St. John School
- Easy drive to Burke Catholic (Goshen)
- Quick access to Cornwall, Newburgh, and Warwick
Goshen / Chester
- Near Burke Catholic
- Near Harmony Christian School
- Central to the county for commuting
Warwick / Florida
- St. Stephen–St. Edward School
- Easy access to NJ private schools as well
Cornwall / New Windsor / Newburgh
- Close to Storm King School
- Close to Montessori programs
- Quick access to schools in Ulster County
Tips for Choosing a Private School in Orange County
- Visit the campus — schools vary widely in educational philosophy
- Ask about class sizes & student-teacher ratios
- Check AP / Honors availability at the high school level
- Review extracurricular offerings (arts, sports, robotics, etc.)
- Understand commute times—Orange County is large
- Check admission timelines, especially for high-demand schools
📍 Thinking of Moving to Orange County, NY?
Hi, I’m Marty Remo, Real Estate Broker (RE/MAX Prime Properties & HVRE Media), specializing in helping families relocate to Orange County and find the perfect neighborhood and school district.
If you’d like:
- A list of homes near your preferred private school
- A custom commute map
- School district comparisons
- Community tours
- Lifestyle-focused video guides
I’d be happy to assist.
👉 Visit: mremo.remax.com
📞 Call/Text: 845-656-2527
📩 Email: martyremo@gmail.com