Peekskill schools (White Plains, Yorktown, Somers: low income, buying a house, buying)

[sproutt]

My husband and I are looking at buying a house in Peekskill. We love the house, have researched the community and plan on spending some more time up there before buying.

We do not currently have kids, but are planning them in the next few years. From my internet research I feel like I have very mixed reviews on the public schools. How are the Peekskill schools? If we end up buying a house in Peekskill but don't want to send them to the Peekskill schools, are we able to enroll children in the Hendrick Hudson Schools (which I've only seen positive reviews about) a possibility or do we have to send kids to the schools in our district?

Thanks!

[dma1250]

Peekskill schools tend to get a bum rap because the test scores are lower than most in the area. This is why prices in town are so low. But I do know people who send their kids to the schools and are very happy. The town just completed a brand new middle school building. There are a lot of outreach programs with local artists in the schools, too. From what I've heard, the system has many of the problems you'll find in any area with a low income population, but it also has a lot of creative programs and great teachers.

The district also has a great group that raises money for the schools and does outreach programs-- Peekskill Education Foundation home

You can pay to send your kids to Hendrick Hudson if you do not live in the district. But they won't guarantee space. I know that Yorktown charges 17K a year, so I imagine HH is about the same.

[havoc315]

Peekskill schools do not have a good reputation. Whether you choose to try to look beyond the reputation, that's up to you.
As dma stated, you can send your child to another school district. But then you must pay "tuition," which is similar to paying a private school tuition.

[fernanbev]

Went to HS there. Did not like it much just because new to the town and a weird-transisiton-stage in one's life, AKA adolescence. Did not attend class for half of 10th and half of 11th (got a job and liked that $)yet I graduated ON TIME! This is how well the Peekskill school disctrict is. We had a crack head teacher, who gave the students A's in exchange for crack. No, can't go to Hen HUD. Only to Assumption to 8th grade. Then to PHS or JFK in I believe Somers. That's if your Catholic. Can also send to Stepinac in White Plains. Which my neighbor did. Please be involved! Or just move in 5 years when you decide to have children.

[lilhuff15]

I have been working in Peekkskill for the past 8 years. I honestly do not like it there. I have heard nothing but bad things about the school district. When we were looking to buy a house 2 years ago we stayed away from the Peekskill area.