Elmswood Institute was founded by a group of five teachers who believed a school could be rigorous without being cold. That founding idea — that discipline and warmth aren't opposites — still shapes how we hire, how we grade, and how we run a Tuesday morning assembly.
Today we serve just over 1,240 students from kindergarten through grade 12, across three connected campuses in Elmswood, NY. Our average class size has never exceeded 18 students.
Read Our Full HistoryWe do not water down the curriculum to protect confidence; we build confidence by teaching students to meet real standards.
Every student is known by name by at least three adults on staff — not just their homeroom teacher.
Electives and independent study projects are built into every grade, not bolted on in senior year.
Parents, alumni, and local businesses are treated as partners in the school's day-to-day life.
