Darrow School

110 Darrow Road

New Lebanon, NY 12125

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by other on February 13, 2024

If you are looking for a school where graduates consistently say " I would be the person I am today without my high school experience", Darrow is the place.I am an alum and sent two children to Darrow. Our experiences while unique, all resulted in the above comment.The reasons Darrow is Darrow are many.... Housed on a mountainside within Historical Shaker Mt. Lebanon, a 200+ year old tradition of "Hands to Work", a faculty and staff that understand that every student learns differently, a safe and inclusive community....
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2024

My child is a junior Darrow and has had an amazing experience there. They will graduate next year and are fully prepared to head off to college in their next adventure. The students and teachers are welcoming and open and provided him with all of the educational support, opportunity, and challenge he needed. He already knew he was interested in the arts and theater but now he knows how capable and interested he is and forensics and history. Darrow's campus is steeped in the history and the beauty of the historic Shaker buildings on the mountainside. I would recommend Darrow to any family ready for their child to be seen and supported, and given a place to grow and flourish.
Submitted by parent on December 24, 2023

Our experience with having a child at Darrow has been nothing short of awesome. Like many in the area I expect (we are a day family and live close), I didn’t even know the school existed before our first visit. I started to understand how beautiful and awesome the school was on our tour, but it wasn’t until the school year started that I really understood the culture and rich history that makes the school unique. Darrow resides in the buildings of the central Shaker community. This isn’t just a Shaker community like Hancock Shaker village, this is the community to which all other Shaker communities spawned from. And they cherish this, uphold its history, and care for its legacy in the campus and buildings. But more than that it shines through the community. Darrow teachers and staff treat your child like a person, they meet them where they are and help them grow. They teach them how to learn, how to care for themselves, how to be a part of a very intentional community. The school helps your student grow into themselves. The teachers and staff are warm, inviting, and inclusive. They show their excitement and interest in their subjects. And share it with their students. I have yet to hear anything negative about any staff. teacher, or class -- from teenagers! There's excitement in the reports I hear, and eagerness to use the resources provided, office hours and more.The campus is beautiful, the views are amazing all year round. The sense of place, the sense that it's a special place, never wavers. The planned intent of the newer buildings makes sense. Their purpose matches their forms, and showcase practical beauty. From our first visit we felt that grounding, the calm purpose the school has, with the undercurrent of solidarity within the community. It is a unique place holding a unique school.One gripe I hear from prospective parents is the age of the dorms. They are historical buildings, so they are not new. The rooms are spacious, huge really, the facilities are standard. But they are not shiny and new as many other schools have. And that's okay! I see the value in showing people older buildings can be used, they can be historically relevant and still be used for daily living. I love the thought these buildings are being lived in still. They are warm, have washers and dryers, and are great community spaces. I feel these older buildings show the charm and character of Darrow, of holding up a great sense of community, and the love of their history.
Submitted by other on September 03, 2023

I thought I would leave Darrow with academic knowledge and a positive experience overall, but I left with a lot of trauma regarding the school. I faced battles with the environment, mental health issues, a violation of student rights, and unqualified/inappropriate teachers. I beg teens and parents to read this review when determining if Darrow is the right school for you. Some of Darrow's basketball team said offensive things. The player's success for the school made the players think they were better than others, resulting in them making negative comments about race, gender identity, people that were on the spectrum, and other snarky comments. Another thing is a few months into my Darrow experience, I realized that I would need to memorize the student handbook for my safety. There were many instances from teachers or RAs that they tried to punish me unfairly. As a result, I had to pull out the student handbook and show them I had rights clearly written down in the (2022-2023 Handbook.)Darrow has mental health resources, but how they handle and offer resources is inappropriate and stressful for students and staff. One incident is a former dean of students threatened me; they yelled that they would call the police on me when I was just simply crying in a hallway, following all rules in the student handbook.Darrow also has a Shaker history. Darrow has a silent meeting every Friday where people can speak out about anything on their minds. This meeting was mandatory. Topics could range from a soccer story to talking about a suicidal attempt. I felt uncomfortable with attending these meetings, so I got permission to skip those meetings from one of the leaders in the school. My Academic coach did not understand why I was the only one who got to skip those meetings. I told her I could not handle some topics, and her response was something like this: What makes you so special that you can miss those meetings? It's disrespectful that you're not listening to your community; you're disrespecting the community. Lastly, I want to thank whoever read my whole message. If the school is reading this, I am not trying to put shame on the teachers or the school (that's why I did not name-drop.) I have the right to describe my experience. I want to make it clear I’m not writing a review to shut down the school, but I’m writing this for people considering Darrow and for the school to own up to its mistakes and try to make a better environment for future students.
Submitted by student on May 07, 2018

I feel compelled to write a response to the previous negative review from March 29, as a graduating senior who really was able to flourish at Darrow. I'm severely disappointed that it wasn't the environment your daughter, and there may be some truth to your personal experiences with the school, but I hardly think your review is representative of Darrow.It's frustrating to feel like I need to state that I'm not a student with "issues ranging from behavioral to substance abuse, as well as learning disabilities". I've never had any particular difficulty in public school and actually wanted to attend a more project-based school because of the challenge it presented. But it isn't fair to dismiss students that are there because they love it and the people that are part of it by looking at students who have had complicated pasts and using them as scapegoats. Darrow absolutely provides an environment for students coming from struggling environments to challenge themselves and focus on academics, but plenty of students have no prior history with subtances, behavior issues, or learning disabilities.As someone who will be attending one of Howard Greene's Hidden Ivies this coming fall, saying that Darrow is not strong enough in its college prep curriculum is incorrect. After four years at the school, I think I have some credibility on how supportive the community can be.The hardest part of your review for me to consider is your mention that your daughter felt "unchallenged, and often miserable", but couldn't find help to assist her with her studies. If she felt unchallenged, meeting with the teacher in charge of the class tends to yield extremely positive results. For instance, in my Social Animals class last year, I didn't feel like the traditional essay-style final really interested me. Instead, I wanted to make a film relating to a subject that interested me. And my teacher was completely on board with it.I'm truly sorry that your experience wasn't pleasant in our community. It makes me unhappy that your daughter wasn't experiencing the same type of community I know that so many students and faculty here feel. But I encourage you to look at the students here as more than just people with "issues", and the faculty as more than people with a job. Because I can promise you, it's a whole lot more than that.
Submitted by other on April 12, 2018

Darrow prepares students not just to be lifelong learners, but also effective listeners, effective communicators, and active members of one's community. Darrow does not falsely market anything about the 'Darrow experience.’ Instead, Darrow recognizes and embraces its diversity as a small private school in New Lebanon, NY. Darrow's rich Shaker history, its commitment to sustainability, and its commitment to learning from others in authentic and valuable ways are all seen and heard across campus and at the foundation of major curriculum designs (advisor groups, inclusive sports, hands to work, spring term, etc). Darrow is a great place to learn and grow. I hope every adolescent can find a community that accepts and embraces he/she for who he/she is and encourages each student to succeed to be the best person that he/she can be. Darrow absolutely did that for me and I am forever grateful.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2018

If there was truth in advertising for schools, I think this is what would be required of Darrow; “Darrow is a school that specializes in accommodating teens with issues ranging from behavioral to substance abuse, as well as learning disabilities. We can offer a college preparatory program if you can benefit from our PBL model. But it’s not our core focus.”Before enrolling we asked the administration about Darrow’s reputation since our daughter is an average teen and a strong student. They said Darrow had changed and could now cater to accomplished students and take them forward.In her second year, she withdrew and moved to a far more appropriate school for a student like her. The old Darrow continues, unabated. Our daughter summed up her Darrow experience: she was bored, unchallenged, and often miserable.Early on we raised concerns about the poor communication from school. Dates and times of events would change or be cancelled without notice. For a boarding student, while disrespectful, if schedules change it's not as problematic. For day students who need parents for transportation, it's unacceptable.In her first year, the Geometry teacher’s office hours for help were cancelled so that the teacher could be used for the paid mentorship program. The teacher encouraged us to protest. I met with the school and told them many believe the decision was made to lure students into the revenue generating mentorship program. They denied it. Whatever the reason, for a school that claims it is a “college prep school” to not have the teacher of a class available for extra help unless you pay extra is inexcusable.This year, she had registered for classes as per protocol. On day one, her academic calendar had been changed without notice. She was very upset. I called school. To not have the courtesy to inform us was absurd. The reason given was to “balance classes”. I demanded her schedule be reinstated, and it was.Darrow has no desire to change and they don't want families who ask questions.I am not the parent of a child with “issues”, so I can’t 100% say that Darrow won't offer people in that situation something of value. But I believe that one could find better. Claims of being the New Darrow are in our opinion wide of the mark. They are still what many have long known them to be. As Pete Townsend would say, meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2018

Darrow is a place that transformed me from a disconnected and unengaged kid to an active and involved member of a supportive and thriving community. I had spent two years in public school and was bored out of my mind. As a result my grades were bad, I was keeping to myself, and my parents were wondering what I was going to do about college. Darrow teachers expressed interest in me and sought me out in ways that aren't possible within the confines of an over-crowded public school environment. Within months my family noticed that I was more engaged, more excited about school and interested in discussing the things I was learning. Most importantly, Darrow teaches respect for differences - including different opinions - in a time when such respect seems to be lacking in the outside world. Darrow requires that students, at times, be self-sufficient while learning to interact with peers in a way that presents important formative challenges. Sharing bathrooms, depending on teammates in athletics and class projects, and dealing with a community which - like life - presents challenges that may require some adaptability, are probably what most gave me a level of maturity which put me way ahead of my classmates once I got to college. Everyone’s situation is different, of course, but for me: going to Darrow was the single most formative decision I’ve ever made, and I’m so glad that I did. It absolutely changed my life.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2018

We are so pleased with the academic and social environment that Darrow provides. Our son is supported when he needs to be, challenged and encouraged to get out of his comfort zone when appropriate and allowed to be himself all the time. He seems more confident, both academically and socially, than he has ever been. He is happier than we have ever seen him about school and all that goes with it. He is thriving.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2017

My son had a wonderful experience as a day student at Darrow! When on their campus he loved his many roles and opportunities. Now for me to see him as an adult, homeowner, community volunteer, and revered colleague of his co-workers. I know that his best altruistic and hard–working self was nourished well on the Darrow mountainside. I now have the pleasure of knowing other families whose children are old enough to attend and I look forward to concerts, plays, and sporting events where I can support this wonderful community.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2017

We chose this school on the advice of our educational consultant. We were looking for an environment in which our child would fit in socially and on the surface that is what we got. However, if your child does not have an extreme liberal point of view they will not fit in (if they voice their opinion). Our child was shunned and cyber bullied and the administration was not able to deal with it effectively nor did they contact us. They would make a world of difference for their students if they taught "distress tolerance" as opposed to justifying poor student behaviors. The school promised us that they could appropriately teach our child who has a nonverbal learning disability but this was not true. Our (very bright) child struggled greatly with homework and one teacher actually asked US how we thought she could help. Most teachers provided a lot of extra time to hand in assignments which was only a bandaid method. A couple of teachers actually listened to us and made appropriate accommodations for our child's particular learning style. We paid extra money for "mentoring" which was useless given the fact that our child was placed with whomever was available as opposed to someone who was actually qualified. The mode of communication that the school uses is completely ineffective and untimely. All communication is relayed back and forth through the advisor mostly by email. In our case where our child was having major issues phone calls were warranted and our requests for this were denied or ignored. The 15 minutes that we had with each teacher and advisor during parent/teacher conferences were insufficient. We felt that for the size of the school and the money that we were paying we should have been able to have direct communication with anyone we needed to and in a timely manner. Regarding the facilities--there are some very interesting historic buildings. However the dorms are disgusting with filthy carpets and chipped and peeling paint on the walls. The campus is in the middle of nowhere and weekend activities are very limited and not enriching.We graciously pulled our child after the first year and not one administrator contacted us for any feedback.Pros: Music and performing arts programs Passionate teachers Hands to Work program Lovely and very available school counselor
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2015

Darrow goes out of its way to make sure all its students find their place in the community. The school and the classes are small, the teachers are smart, innovative and passionate about teaching, and there is a strong sense of family. Our daughter spent her last two years of high school there after struggling in public high school. Both her teachers and her fellow students found so much in her to celebrate that the experience transformed her idea of herself, and she will always treasure her time there. The weekly community service block (called "Hands to Work" from a traditional phrase of the Shakers who were the original inhabitants of the school's location and remain a major influence on its philosophy) became as important to our daughter's experience and development as the academic component. The visual arts program is terrific. Performing arts could use a boost and is getting one in the form of a major facility overhaul. On the plus side for performing types, theater counts as a sport and is offered in two out of three of the sports seasons. The campus is a national historic site because of all those original Shaker buildings, and their simplicity blends beautifully into the mountainside setting. Darrow is not for kids who would be perfectly happy in public school, or for those who are in lockstep to become exact replicas of their parents and are OK with that. But for those who are having trouble finding their way and could benefit from a combination of intellectual challenge, personal attention, and encouragement to explore all of their interests and talents, Darrow should be on the short list.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2015

Two of my children have attended Darrow - one graduated a few years ago and another is currently enrolled. The educational experience at Darrow is exceptional -- engaged and creative teachers and staff, small classes, meaningful and innovative curriculum are all part of the educational atmosphere of the school. My older child was very well prepared for success at a competitive liberal arts college and my younger child is being intellectually and creatively challenged each day both in the classroom and beyond. The community at Darrow makes the school what it is. Faculty, staff, and students all create an environment rich in opportunities and support.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2015

Darrow is a school for creative young people with high but unconventional aspirations who have not been well served by traditional private and public schools. Over my years of association with the school, I saw student after student experience the joy and fulfillment that comes with success in academics and the hands-on projects that are the hallmark of the Darrow experience.
Submitted by student on November 13, 2014

I went to Darrow years ago as I was unchallenged in public school and my boredom was impacting my studies. My arrival on campus was a turning point, as I found an environment that cultivated intellectual curiosity both inside and outside of the classroom, and critical thinking that put me ahead of my peers when I got to college. I'm happy to find that the school is even more solid now than it was then. I'm six years into my 2nd Presidential administration and I owe it to my time at Darrow.
Submitted by student on October 29, 2014

I was a student at Darrow about 5 years ago. It remains one of the fondest memories of my life. I was inspired by truly fabulous teachers to pursue new interests and to excel both academically and socially. I'm not sure why there are so many reviews on here that are ultra-critical. Darrow is NOT right for everyone--no school is. Parents that are overly concerned with bragging to their friends and neighbors about the number of AP courses their child takes and the Ivy League placements they get are going to be bitter about the equally if not more wonderful education Darrow gives compared to a more traditional preppy school. The progressive nature of Darrow's educational philosophies mean that AP courses aren't offered, because why teach to a test? The parents who base their judgment of a school's quality on those types of things are the same parents who think standardized testing is a sound indicator of intelligence or capability. They're wrong, and quite frankly, behind the times. Don't listen to all of the haters. Darrow is a wonderful place for the right kind of kid. Visit it, take a tour, sit in on a class or two. It changed my life, so why not see for yourself?
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2014

Wonderful environment for learning. The campus is beautiful and the students are respectful and kind to each other. The faculty is extremely caring and works hard to help students succeed.
Submitted by student on May 04, 2014

a prison in principle. The school is going through a lot of change at the moment, but, it's a giant waste of money and a terrible place where every single kid at the school hates it.
Submitted by other on November 16, 2013

I was a student at Darrow 20 plus years ago. As a very young and shy girl, private school seemed incredibly intimidating. What I discovered in myself in those 4 years has been invaluable for the rest of my life. Darrow is an amazing place that nutures young people and allows each student to be who they truly are. I was shocked to see a 2 star rating for my beloved school on this website which has prompted me to post this. Looking through the comments I cannot appreciate where this "average" rating comes from.. Certainly I can tell you for anyone who has a child that loves to learn, loves the outdoors snd may need a little boost to come out of their shell, Darrow was and I believe still is a wonderful school!
Submitted by student on July 02, 2013

A great school that gave me so many opportunities to discover myself. I look back at the four years I spent there and wish I could go back!