What to Know

The four schools that comprise the highly-rated Warwick Valley Central School District are surrounded by the unique scenic beauty and historic charm that are an integral part of the Town of Warwick. Park Avenue Elementary School, Sanfordville Elementary School, Warwick Valley Middle School, and Warwick Valley High School share common goals and values. As stated on the District’s website, “ Our core values are embedded in the educational process of our students. Our entire school community believes in enriching every student’s life, educating the whole child as a unique individual, and providing a safe and trusting learning environment as we foster children to be lifelong learners.”

Though they all share common goals, each school offers distinct programs, clubs, and opportunities to serve its community.

Park Avenue Elementary School

Located in the Historic Village of Warwick, Park Avenue Elementary School has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School and a National Green Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon School award is based on specific assessment criteria. When Park Avenue received this designation in 2006, students scored in the top ten percent on state assessment tests, 4th Grade state English/language arts scores were in the top 2 percent, and 4th Grade math scores showed students in the top 6 percent of all NYS elementary schools for the 2004-05 school year. This award designation has no expiration.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Park Avenue Elementary School the 2018 Green Ribbon Schools award. Staff, students, officials, and the community worked together to produce energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthy school environments, while also establishing the environmental literacy of its students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, these steps improve student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workplace preparedness, hopefully leading toward future goals of energy independence and economic security.

Park Avenue Elementary follows the New York State Standards-based curriculum, focusing on problem-solving, critical thinking, and establishing good study habits. There is regular instruction in art, music, PhysEd, health, and research/library skills. There are also many clubs and extracurricular activities to choose from. Furthermore, Park Avenue Elementary students show they care about their community and beyond through their service projects. For the Spring 2023 service project, they are partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF). The school-wide, two-week coin drive will raise money for much-needed childhood cancer research. To learn more about the project or to make a donation, click here.

Sanfordville Elementary School

Much of what is written above about Park Avenue Elementary School applies to Sanfordville Elementary, too. Academic standards and opportunities to get involved in clubs and/or extracurricular activities are the same, so it is not surprising that Sanfordville is also a National Blue Ribbon School.  

There is, however, a special program that is unique to Sanfordville. According to the District website, the Partners-In-Education Program (P.I.E.) is a “multi-age grouping, which encourages non-competitive, collaborative social interaction and supports each child on his/her own learning continuum, and students have the opportunity to be both mentor and mentee. There is a two-year commitment to the multi-age classrooms at the Grades 1-2 and 3-4 levels.” In addition to multi-age classrooms, the other cornerstones of the program are family involvement, integrated curriculum, and nature appreciation. Admission to the P.I.E. program is by a lottery system.

Sanfordville Elementary School is also home to the Warwick Satellite Program (BOCES), for Orange County special needs students. Here, students are offered special programs for developmental growth in fine arts and physical education in addition to mandated services. Again, the goal is to meet the needs of ALL students.

Sanfordville is also the home of The Circle of Peace / Peace Wall Memorial, which was “created in honor of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The idea for the memorial grew out of our children’s need to express their hopes and vision for a better world and a more peaceful future.”

Warwick Valley Middle School

The Warwick Valley Middle School is considered one of Orange County’s premiere schools, with students achieving some of the highest New York State Assessment scores. The curriculum for all students includes English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, PhysEd, and unified arts classes. In preparation for success in high school, 7th and 8th-grade students follow a nine-period day. Furthermore, 7th-grade mathematics “honors” classes are offered to those who qualify, as are 8th-grade honors English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Two years of a foreign language are required, with current offerings being Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. Unified arts may include art, music, technology, home & careers, health, and computers. A variety of services and accommodations are provided to special needs and Section 504 students, according to their educational plans.

Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities. There are many clubs, intramurals, and sports to choose from. These include Student Senate, Drama Club, Band, Chorus, and Orchestra at all grade levels.

Parents are encouraged to join the PTA and become involved in supporting the Warwick Valley Middle School. However, they are also encouraged to get involved at home by checking homework and helping establish routines for their student(s) to help them achieve academic success.

Warwick Valley High School

Students at Warwick Valley High School consistently score well above the county, state, and national averages on standardized tests. Therefore, it’s no surprise that WVHS has earned New York State Reward School status for six years. According to the New York State Education Department, “Reward Schools are schools with high academic achievement or those with the most progress in the State and do not have significant gaps in student achievement between subgroups.”  In addition, WVHS is a National Green Ribbon School.

The school provides comprehensive academic programs in addition to its wide range of Regents courses. WVHS offers Honors and Advanced Placement courses in addition to several credit-bearing, college affiliates (University of Albany’s Spanish Credit and Science Research). Furthermore, the Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) provides occupational opportunities.

Rounding out the high academic standards, there are more than 55 athletic teams, plus a wide array of dramatic, musical, library, service and student government organizations. And, WVCSD has been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” for six consecutive years.  Senior Projects give students the opportunity to explore and present a topic they are interested in.

Another important part of the high school experience is community service and volunteering. Students raise money and provide support to those in need, while also building character and learning empathy and compassion.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten 2023-2024

Up to 132 students will be chosen by lottery to attend this free Pre-K program, which will be held at four community-based organizations.Administered by the Warwick Valley Central School District and funded by a grant from the New York State Education Department, students will attend the program 5 hours per day, five days per week, following the District School Calendar.