Average
#421 of 991 private schools in NY
Top 42% of private schools
Abilities First
School
24 FIREMENS WAY, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
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
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Abilities First compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Poughkeepsie, NY
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (845) 452-0774
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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