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Average

#421 of 991 private schools in NY

Top 42% of private schools

Abilities First

School

24 FIREMENS WAY, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NY statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

105

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Poughkeepsie

#5 of 7

public schools

New York schools

#145 of 277

About Abilities First

ABILITIES FIRST is a regular public school located in Poughkeepsie, New York, within the Dutchess County area. The school spans from kindergarten through 12th grade and currently enrolls 105 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, indicating a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio that allows for more personalized attention. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school focuses on providing individualized support to its diverse student body.

ABILITIES FIRST’s academic performance is rated at 5.0 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 335th out of 991 schools in New York State, placing it around the 66th percentile. Though specific test score data is not available, the school has a dedicated approach to student development and offers an inclusive learning environment that fosters growth for all students. ABILITIES FIRST sits in a large suburban area, surrounded by quiet neighborhoods and local amenities.

The setting provides a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for both students and teachers alike, contributing to a nurturing educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 105 students, Abilities First is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Abilities First offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Abilities First operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$367,289
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$365,867
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.00x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
96%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$27.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 105 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Abilities First compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Poughkeepsie, NY

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
12.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
105
This School
vs
423
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.5
This School
vs
5.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 44.8% vs 0%
Black 28.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 22.9% vs 0%
Asian 2.9% vs 0%
Abilities First Poughkeepsie Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Abilities First (this school) 6.5
OVERLOOK PRIMARY SCHOOL 5.5
TITUSVILLE INTERMEDIATE 5.3
ARTHUR S MAY SCHOOL 9.0
VASSAR ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.0
KINRY ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.4
G W KRIEGER SCHOOL 5.4
POUGHKEEPSIE MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.2
POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL 5.0
SPACKENKILL HIGH SCHOOL 8.5
SMITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER 4.0
HAGAN SCHOOL 6.3
NOXON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.4
WARRING MAGNET ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 3.2
ORVILLE A TODD MIDDLE SCHOOL 8.6
GOV GEORGE CLINTON SCHOOL 5.3
MORSE YOUNG MAGNET SCHOOL 3.3
OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.0
NASSAU SCHOOL 7.2
VIOLET AVENUE SCHOOL 6.4
DUTCHESS BOCES 6.7

Showing 20 of 21 schools. View all schools in Poughkeepsie

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NY.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 990
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 66%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 105
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NY

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 44.8%
Black 28.6%
Hispanic 22.9%
Asian 2.9%
Native American 1.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

24 FIREMENS WAY, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Abilities First may also want to explore other schools in the area. ARTHUR S MAY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SPACKENKILL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NOXON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poughkeepsie, see our Poughkeepsie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
HAWK MEADOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 0.5 mi 6.6
OVERLOOK PRIMARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 0.9 mi 5.5
TITUSVILLE INTERMEDIATE Poughkeepsie 1.0 mi 5.3
ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 1.7 mi 5.0
POUGHKEEPSIE DAY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 2.1 mi
VASSAR ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 2.6 mi 4.0
KINRY ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 2.6 mi 5.4
ARTHUR S MAY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 2.3 mi 9.0
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 2.6 mi 5.0
G W KRIEGER SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 2.8 mi 5.4
NOXON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 3.3 mi 8.4
POUGHKEEPSIE MIDDLE SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 3.0 mi 6.2
SPACKENKILL HIGH SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 3.1 mi 8.5
POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 3.1 mi 5.0
HAGAN SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 3.3 mi 6.3
SMITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER Poughkeepsie 3.2 mi 4.0
ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Lagrangeville 3.2 mi 6.2
WARRING MAGNET ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Poughkeepsie 3.5 mi 3.2
DUTCHESS BOCES Poughkeepsie 4.5 mi 6.7
LAGRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lagrangeville 3.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$104,185

Median Home Value

$342,000

Median Rent

$1,626/mo

Population

41,513

College Educated

46.9%

Homeownership

71.8%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Abilities First has a median household income of $104,185. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,000, with a median rent of $1,626/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
MOUNT PLEASANT-COTTAGE SCHOOL Pleasantville, NY 6.5
DESTINY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL Rochester, NY 6.6
JEWISH HERITAGE DAY SCHOOL/OHR TEMIMIM Amherst, NY 6.4
LANGAN SCHOOL/CENTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES Albany, NY 6.6
MINERVA CENTRAL SCHOOL Olmstedville, NY 6.6
ROSS CORNERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Vestal, NY 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Abilities First

What grades does Abilities First serve?

Abilities First serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Abilities First?

Abilities First has an enrollment of approximately 105 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Abilities First?

The student-teacher ratio at Abilities First is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Abilities First rank in NY?

Abilities First is ranked #421 out of 991 private schools in NY.

What is Abilities First's MySchoolScout rating?

Abilities First has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Abilities First a private school?

Yes, Abilities First is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Abilities First a religious school?

No, Abilities First is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,289/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Poughkeepsie). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
105
Gender Split
69% M / 31% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
5.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DUTCHESS
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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