Why SKS?
Because in a school of 180 students, your child cannot fall through the cracks.
The Storm King School, a global community, prepares students by inspiring them toward academic success and confidence in an inclusive and diverse learning environment that embraces character, balance, and trust.
Don't take our word for it. Take theirs.
Recent Storm King graduates — real letters, real names, in their own words.
“I am deeply grateful to Storm King for providing me with the tools and resources to thrive as a student-athlete and as a person. To the SKS community who have left an unfordable mark on my journey – thank you. Your belief in me, your encouragement and your dedication to my growth have shaped me in ways that are truly unexplainable.”
“The curiosity and confidence I discovered at Storm King—where science was hands-on and deeply personal—ignited my passion for understanding how things work and how people heal. That foundation continues to guide me as I pursue my medical education at UChicago.”
“To my teachers—I could speak endlessly about how grateful I am to each of you. Your dedication, encouragement, and passion have been among the most powerful influences on my journey and have shaped the person I am today.”
“During four years at The Storm King School, I learned from a diverse international community and was guided by exceptional faculty who encouraged me to grow as both a student and a leader. I helped raise funds for nonprofit causes and captained the varsity soccer team—experiences that shaped my curiosity, confidence, and sense of purpose, which I now carry with me at Cornell University.”
“My time on the Mountain shaped me for the better. The tight-knit community at SKS provided the perfect foundation before I stepped out into the wider world. Among my most cherished memories are the countless moments of kindness, patience, and dedication shown by my teachers. They consistently met us where we were—challenging us to grow while understanding our individual needs. I hope to one day have the same kind of impact on others that my teachers at SKS had on me.”
“Storm King is where creativity, ambition, and growth know no bounds—there's no limit to what you can achieve. The experiences and connections I made at Storm King were just the beginning of some of the most meaningful bonds in my life. Storm King has been, and will always be, my second home, and I'm deeply proud of that. I'm truly grateful to have SKS with me on this journey.”
“The talented and caring faculty at SKS profoundly shaped who I am. I still reach out to them from time to time to share how their lessons continue to guide me in college.”
“Storm King's caring teachers and diverse international community empowered me to embrace different perspectives and gave me the confidence to explore the world fearlessly.”
“Storm King became my second home—where I discovered who I am and learned the lesson of believing that I can. The faces, moments, and memories will forever remind me of where I came from and how far I've come.”
“As I step into a new world, my heart swells with pride, nostalgia, and gratitude. Over the years, we've grown into a family—a wonderful community that I'll carry with me forever. To the teachers who guided me, believed in me, and encouraged me to reach beyond my limits, I owe a deep debt of gratitude. You saw potential in me even when I doubted myself. Your words of encouragement and wisdom have been the pillars upon which I've built my dreams. You have not only educated me but also inspired me to become the best version of myself.”
“Storm King gave me the chance to discover myself. I realized I don't have to be stuck as who I used to be – I could try many things that I've wanted to do for the longest time. Storm King changed my life.”
“Storm King encouraged me to explore ideas from every angle—through art, academics, and community. That mindset prepared me to thrive at Cornell.”
“It's been quite a whirlwind at Cornell, where I'm pursuing the performing arts, and I owe much of my inspiration and drive to my time at Storm King.”
“It was at Storm King where I first learned to thrive in a diverse and intellectually vibrant community. The school's supportive and close-knit environment gave me the confidence to tackle challenging ideas and express myself authentically—skills that became invaluable during my studies at Cambridge. Storm King didn't just prepare me academically; it shaped the way I connect with others, approach learning, and embrace every opportunity that comes my way.”
“SKS gave me the gift of independence, teaching me to trust myself, grow through challenges, and embrace autonomy before starting my career.”
“Little can be as impactful as the people you learn from. In that vein, the faculty that I had the pleasure of being taught by at Storm King were second to none. I credit them for the person I am today.”
“Friendship, Growth, Community. Three words that come to mind when I think back on my time as a student at SKS. SKS helped me become the person I am today, and I am forever grateful for the guidance of my teachers, openness of my classmates, and cherish the fond memories and continued friendships I carry with me.”
“SKS became home to me even when I was far from where I came from, offering belonging and becoming a beacon of hope.”
“My most meaningful memory at Storm King happened on an ordinary afternoon around 3:00 PM in Mr. Siddiqui’s classroom. My classmate Luis and I were working on our app project, EcoVision, and Mr. Siddiqui stayed after class to help us figure things out. The three of us spent hours gathered around a whiteboard, drawing, erasing, and brainstorming, until we finally mapped out the very first demo wireframe for the app.
As an aspiring engineer, that moment of raw collaboration, open exploration, and feeling like a true startup co-founder was unforgettable. Within a week, I built the working demo and launched it school-wide. While the assembly presentations and the official launch were exciting, it was that quiet hour of pure teamwork and mentor guidance in a small classroom that defined my SKS experience.”
“I value how SKS gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in many different fields simultaneously across 3 seasons of extracurriculars. I was able to discover a new sport and thrive doing so while having dreams of proceeding in college.”
Here are 10 reasons.
A Community Built on Connection
At Storm King, you’re more than just a student — you’re part of a close-knit community. Small classes mean your teachers really get to know you and how you learn best. Many faculty live on campus and are involved in coaching, advising, and activities, so your learning and conversations continue beyond the classroom.
Whether it’s during meals, on the athletic field, or in the dorms, you’ll always find people who support and challenge you.
Inspiring Teachers, Coaches & Mentors
Your Storm King teachers are passionate about their subjects and about helping you grow. They encourage curiosity, creativity, and collaboration while challenging you to think deeply. Beyond academics, they also serve as mentors who model integrity, leadership, and a love of learning.
Personalized College Counseling
Your college counseling journey at Storm King is highly personalized. Counselors work closely with you and your family to identify your strengths, interests, and goals.
From building your college list to preparing essays and interviews, you’ll receive step-by-step support. This thoughtful approach helps you present your best self — contributing to a 100% college acceptance rate.
An Incredible Location
Storm King sits on a beautiful 51-acre campus in New York’s Hudson Valley, surrounded by forests, trails, and sweeping mountain views.
At the same time, New York City is only an hour away. You’ll have opportunities to visit museums, universities, and cultural institutions that connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world.
Academics That Prepare You for Success
Storm King’s curriculum gives you the freedom to explore your interests while building a strong college-prep foundation. Along with core courses, you can choose from Honors and AP classes and engaging electives like fashion design, environmental science, computer science, and literary arts.
With approximately 130 courses and a university-style schedule, you’ll develop independence while building key skills: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.
“When I got to Cornell, it felt familiar. I knew how to manage my time. I knew when to study, when to work out, when to participate.”
Learn by Doing
Experiential learning is an integral part of the Storm King experience. Through programs like Q-Term, independent studies, service learning, and travel opportunities, you’ll explore real-world topics in exciting ways.
These experiences help you develop initiative, resilience, and a broader understanding of the world.
A Strong Athletic & Activity Culture
Sports and activities are an important part of student life. With 19 varsity, junior varsity, and club options, you’ll find opportunities to get involved and stay active.
Participation helps you build teamwork, perseverance, and leadership while living out the School’s core values: Truth, Respect, and Responsibility.
Visual & Performing Arts
Storm King encourages you to discover and develop your artistic talents. Programs include Studio Art, Ceramics, Photography, Filmmaking, Fashion Design, Music, Dance, and Theater.
You’ll work in professional spaces like the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre and the Allison Vladimir Art Center, and nearby New York City offers endless artistic inspiration.
A Global Community
At Storm King, you’ll learn alongside students from around the world, with about 45% of the student body coming from outside the United States.
This diverse community allows you to experience different perspectives, form global friendships, and develop the cultural awareness needed in today’s world.
Dining & Community Life
Dining at Storm King brings the community together. Meals feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients with an international flair, reflecting the School’s diverse student body.
You’ll quickly discover the famous noodle bar — a campus favorite. Shared meals make the dining hall a place to connect, relax, and spend time with friends and teachers.
A century and a half. Still climbing.
In 1867, the Rev. Dr. Louis P. Ledoux — a graduate of Amherst College — founded the school that would become Storm King, high above the Hudson at Cornwall. Generations of students have climbed the Mountain since: through the Stone School years, two world wars, a centennial, and a sesquicentennial.
The crest adopted in 1935 still carries the School's promise in its feathers: Truth, Respect, and Responsibility. The values haven't moved in a century and a half — only the reach has. Today the Mountain draws students from 24 countries.
The questions parents actually ask.
The mountain makes more sense in person.
Walk the campus, sit in a class, stay for lunch. Two hours here answers more than two weeks of research.
