263 Maple Rd
Valley Cottage, NY 10989

Great school with a Principal and teachers that care. Really great educational environment.

I would give this school 2 stars. While there are some good teachers and opportunities, the administration is extremely strict and students are given very little freedom compared to other schools. Students are not allowed to leave campus during lunch, even upperclassmen, which makes the school environment feel very controlling.The school also takes away a lot of traditions and activities that students should be able to enjoy. There is no junior prom at all, unlike other schools in the district, and outsiders are not allowed at events like homecoming. Seniors are not allowed to decorate their senior parking spots, and even simple traditions like turning the lights off during homecoming are banned. It feels like every year there are more unnecessary rules added.One of the biggest problems is the bathroom situation. Almost all of the bathrooms in the school are locked, and students are forced to use only two bathrooms in the entire building. On top of that, only three students are allowed in at a time, which creates huge lines and traffic jams between classes. Students end up wasting time just trying to use the bathroom.Overall, the school focuses too much on control and restrictions instead of creating a positive high school experience for students.

Valley Cottage Elementary has truly become an extended family of ours. I've had 3 children move through the grades, each one very different with different needs. They all flourished. We haven't had a single teacher that hasn't gone above and beyond. Whether it be challenging my very advanced child with enrichment pull outs, or helping and nurturing my struggling child. Other neighboring school systems may look better on paper due to the affluent families that reside there--but nothing compares to the family spirit of Valley Cottage. Nothing compares to the extreme involvement of every single teacher there. Thank you VCE for having a huge part in influencing the eager learners my children have become. The robotics program funded by Inspire Nyack has been a great start to the strong STEM program at the High School. The lessons learned here will transfer to their adulthood. Could not have been any happier.