One day on the Mountain.
Zero boring hours.
Meet Luis and Christine — and follow their day from breakfast to lights-out.
Luis
Boarding Student · Münsing, Germany“I crossed an ocean — from Bavaria to a dorm on Storm King Mountain. My day runs sixteen and a half hours, and I wouldn’t give back a single one.”
Christine
Day Student · Newburgh, New York“I live twenty minutes away — and most nights I stay late anyway. The day here doesn’t have to end at five.”
Early Bird Workout
I’m up early and heading to the gym. Not every morning starts at 6:30 — but when I want to get a workout in before classes, the gym is waiting.
Breakfast with a view.
Luis: Catching up with friends and starting the day with views across the Hudson River and the mountains.
Christine: I get dropped off in the morning and head straight to the Dining Hall — breakfast with friends is the best way to ease into the day.
Ten minutes. All of us.
Before first period, the entire school — every student, every teacher — gathers in the Dining Hall. Announcements, shout-outs, the occasional surprise. It’s how a school of our size starts the day the way a family would: everyone in one room, pointed in the same direction.
AP Microeconomics
First class of the day with Mr. Siddiqui, who has a way of connecting economics to the real world. We don’t just learn theory — we talk about markets, decisions, and how the world actually works.
Independent Study in Law
This course was built around my goal of becoming a lawyer. Ms. Sutter, J.D., mentors me one-on-one — she’s the reason I earned the New York State Attorney General’s Triple C Award.
Common Work Period
One of my favorite parts of Storm King’s schedule. I can get extra help from a teacher, work ahead on an assignment, or just grab tea and an apple in the Dining Hall and reset before my next class.
Mock Trial Prep
Today this block is all Mock Trial. Our team is getting ready for the New York State competition, and this is my time to sharpen my arguments.
AP Physics C: Mechanics
Physics with Dr. Feffer, an astrophysicist whose NASA-supported research took him all the way to Antarctica. He earned his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley. Physics gets a lot more interesting when your teacher has stories from the South Pole.
Comparative Government
With Mr. Gillett — who is also our Dean of Academics. We compare how governments around the world actually work, which for a future lawyer is exactly the class I want.
Lunch by Chef Andy.
Chef Andy and his team make lunch something to look forward to — there’s always something fresh, and always a table of friends to join. Boarding and day students, all at the same tables.
Drawing & Painting
Art with Mr. Carruthers uses a completely different part of my brain. After a morning of economics and physics, a studio hour is exactly what I need.
AP Statistics
Mrs. Rosenthal is also my advisor — and she runs the AMC math competition and the Knitting Club. Statistics with someone who knows you that well just works.
AP English Language
Writing with Dr. Finn-Atkins, who runs our Poetry Festival. She pushes us to find our own voice — and then makes us prove it on the page.
AP English Literature
Dr. Rigg runs our Community Service Program, and he brings that same energy to literature. We read closely, argue respectfully, and write constantly.
Flex Time: My Projects
This is when I meet with Mr. Siddiqui about the two projects I helped develop — an Environmental Sustainability App and our Student-Managed Investment Fund. Friends of mine use this block for Robotics, Model UN, Debate, or Mock Trial. There’s a place for everyone’s thing here.
Flex Time: Snack Break
Snack break! A chance to recharge, catch up with friends, and get ready for practice.
Soccer ⚽
Every afternoon, you’ll find me on the soccer field. Practice with my teammates is the best way to burn off a full day of classes.
Volleyball 🏐
I trade the classroom for the court. Volleyball practice with my team is my favorite way to end the school day.
Head Home… or Stay!
The bus can take me home to Newburgh — but tonight I’m staying. That’s the best part of being a day student here: the day doesn’t have to end at 5.
Dinner & a Hudson Valley sunset.
Luis: Practice is over, and everyone comes back together for dinner — and, if the weather cooperates, one of Storm King’s famous Hudson Valley sunsets.
Christine: Dinner with my boarding friends. Day student or boarding student — we’re all part of the same community.
Campus is home.
Luis: Evenings are ours. Theatre rehearsal, the Student Center, the gym, the dance studio, the e-gaming room — when you board here, the whole campus is your living room.
Christine: My community service shift at the Snack Bar. I’m giving back — and earning service hours while I’m at it.
Study Hall
Time to focus and finish homework, with teachers and dorm parents around if I get stuck.
Model UN
Model UN meets tonight — and there’s optional Study Hall if I want to finish homework before I leave campus.
Heading Home
Classes, Mock Trial, volleyball, dinner, the Snack Bar, Model UN — and I’m home in Newburgh by 9. Full day. Totally worth it.
Back in the Dorm
Hanging out with my dormmates — guys from all over the world who started the year as strangers and became family.
Good Night from the Mountain
Economics. Physics. Art. Writing. Independent projects. Soccer. Friends. Somehow it all fits into one day. Tomorrow, we do it all again.
One last thing before
lights out.
People ask if the days feel long. Honestly? They feel full. There’s a difference.
Just got home. Already planning to stay late again tomorrow. Come visit — I’ll show you the Snack Bar.
What she said. See you on the Mountain. 🌙
