Hackley School

Hackley is a rigorous school with high standards and a strong community. It's not quite as nurturing or warm as we'd hoped -- they seem to value competition and self reliance to a great extent. The PA is very active and the campus is beautiful with acres of land and many playing fields.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in 6th grade and has been going to Hackley for 2 years. We left the public school as she was not being challenged in the class and did not feel the kids in her class were particularly motivated to learn. Its been a huge difference at Hackley, the kids setup their own 4 way video conf calls so they can do homework together (mostly) and she has a great group of friends who are all motivated. The teachers for the most part have been very good and are very helpful with after class instruction and additional enrichment. I think overall its a great environment.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is by far the BEST private school in Westchester and Fairfield counties. There is absolutely no comparison on academics, sports, nurturing environment, eclectic mix of families, international perspective, beautiful and green grounds, sense of community...simply an amazing school.
--Submitted by a parent

Hackley is the best of the best in all regards.
--Submitted by a student

14 years at Hackley, and I m grateful to be part of a community that cares for my kids, with teachers who go the distance to support their individual progress. Teachers who taught my son in Lower and Middle School are still there watching him grow and cheering him on. You really get the feeling that all these kids are 'our' kids, and that everyone is watching out for them. The school has raised money to give our kids beautiful facilities, to hire and keep great teachers, and to offer financial aid to families who need it. A vigorous fundraising program benefits us all and shows how much people care about Hackley. Sure, tuition is higher than it was when we came, but look around -- this is what independent school costs. I think parents who say 'it's all about money' are missing the point! It's all about education and community.
--Submitted by a parent

Our children have attended four schools, and Hackley is certainly the best. We chose Hackley because of the warmth, support, and caring we witnessed in the community during visits. Not only have we found an embracing peer and parent group, but none of the dozens of schools we ve visited over the years could provide a superior education. The teachers are inspiring educators, passionate about their subjects, devoted to students: they work with them often outside class, attend games and performances, and more. The school s tuition increases have averaged below 6.1% over the last five years (in keeping with schools our friends children attend). We see where our money goes: attracting quality faculty and maintaining tremendous facilities including a beautiful Lower School (where our daughter goes) and an almost-complete Upper School library wing. Our children love going to school and hate getting sick what more could a parent want?
--Submitted by a parent

We have been with Hackley for over 15 years combining the years of our children at Hackley. The most notable attributes are the campus itself which is beautiful. The education is adequate except for English which has most emphasis and, as a result is very good. The middle school has notorious teacher turn over, some teachers are most concerned about themselves - not for the students. Hackley has a very short fuse for disciplining boys (not so much the girls which often are the insitgators). The headmaster is at the core of this. Annual tution increases average over 7.5%, 2009/2010 was a first exception in 12 years. Most sports are below average as the top has no interest in athletics. When I look back at Hackley and try to see one image, one theme, the one thing that makes it special - it is all about the money.
--Submitted by a parent

Enormous emphasis on character education. The motto 'Enter here to be and find a friend' extends beyond the students and faculty to the parents as well. The administration is extremely responsive to the needs of both the kids and their parents. The writing program is exemplary - it begins in first grade and trains the students so well, they find college 'a breeze.' Admissions favours siblings and children of faculty which brings down the academics and behaviour (especially in the Lower School), but since the class size is so small and administration is so responsive, ultimately each child's education is personalized (which is what you're paying for!)
--Submitted by a parent

Hackley has many fine attributes-its class size, teacher responsiveness and upper school faculty being among the foremost. We have had two children there since kindergarten and are generally pleased although we find it a bit too 'traditional' in its approach and not as creative or artistic as hoped (the arts are not emphasized). There are many sports however none are top-caliber as the upper school seems to recruit for academics almost to the exclusion of athletes or athlete/scholars. A new Athletic Director this year promises potentially more. Parents are involved and supportive overall. Price tag seems to go up exponentially in line with Manhattan schools with whom they are beginning to compete. They take themselves seriously in the best of ways and are very strict especially with the boys. Curriculum and tracking accomodate many but in reality they only accept the brightest and emphasize achievement. Some amazing teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

A great huge educated 163 acres of school. It goes from K-12 and has many houses. It has a lower school house,middle school house, upper school house, a library, a gym, 6 turf fields, indoor pool dome, outdoor pool, 5 baseball fields, 2 football fields, 3 soccer fields, 1 art house, 1 lockeroom house/ maintnence, headmaster house, admissions house, facolty house, bording school houses for boys, bording school houses for Girls, open fields, squash quarts, tennis quarts, Cafeiteria( apart of LS,MS,US, playground, park, forest, parking lot, lake, river, stream, and more. 73% of boys who go to Hackley school go to Ivy League schools when they get older. Education is tied for best education for MS in the U.S.A. It won best quality teacher awards. It is definately one of the best schools on the planet.