Frequently Asked Questions

How many students attend Doane Stuart?

Doane Stuart’s enrollment in 2008-2009 is 271 students, in Nursery through Grade 12, with 122 students in the Upper School (grades 9 to 12). The graduating Class of 2009 has 37 members.

What is the male-to-female ratio?

Doane Stuart is a coeducational school in all grades and divisions, and has a boy-to-girl enrollment ratio of nearly 50/50.

Do the students take Regents Exams?

No. Since Doane Stuart is an independent school, the students are not required to take NYS Regents Exams or other NYS comprehensive tests.  This in no way negatively impacts admission to New York State colleges and universities, and our students are regularly admitted into the SUNY system.  Doane Stuart is very highly regarded by college and university admission offices throughout the country, as well as abroad.

Do Doane Stuart students receive college guidance and/or SAT preparation?

Yes, Doane Stuart students receive both extensive, individual college counseling, as well as comprehensive, on-campus SAT preparation which is delivered during the school day by Sylvan Learning.  Both of these programs are free of charge to all students.  Please refer to our College Counseling web page (http://www.doanestuart.org/college-counseling.cfm) for more detailed information.

Is Doane Stuart a Catholic School?

No. It was formed from a merger of Kenwood Academy and St. Agnes School. Doane Stuart is an “interfaith school,” and is the nation’s only successfully-merged Catholic and Protestant independent school. In 1975, the Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic school, which was founded in 1852, merged with St. Agnes School, an Episcopal school, which was founded in 1870, to form The Doane Stuart School. In keeping with an interfaith identity, the School is home to a Buddhist temple that supports a local Buddhist congregation and welcomes students and families of all religious faiths. Doane Stuart’s religion courses are non-doctrinal and aim to educate all students about faith and identity in western and non-western cultures and religions of world.

What is an "interfaith" school?

Doane Stuart is an interfaith school. We respect students of all faiths and backgrounds. Our chapel services celebrate all the major world religions. The religion curriculum at Doane Stuart is non-doctrinal and asks students to explore, intellectually, their own faiths, and the faiths of others. The interfaith nature of the School community is well illustrated by our resident Buddhist Temple, housed here on our campus.

What is the student-to-teacher ratio and what is the average class size?

The student-to-teacher ratio is 7 to 1 and the average class size is 12 to 14 students.

What are the school hours?

Classes begin at 8:15 a.m. On Monday through Thursday, classes end at 3:25 p.m., and on Friday, classes end at 2:35 p.m. Most Middle and Upper School students are involved in sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities after classes have ended.

Do you have before and after school programs?

Yes, for students in Nursery through Grade 8.  Before School care begins at 7:30 a.m. and After School care ends at 6:00 p.m. each day. Before and After Care rates are billed per diem. The programs are flexible and may be used as needed.

How is an admission decision made?

A student's application to Doane Stuart is evaluated through a number of criteria, including grades/transcripts, teacher and counselor recommendations, essay (for Middle and Upper School applicants), test scores (age-appropriate), and a class visit (required of all applicants). The Admission Committee will review a file when all items required for admission are received. Doane Stuart seeks students who are meeting or exceeding academic requirements in their current school, and who are inspired by the love of learning.

How can I afford private school tuition?

Investing in an independent school education for your child is a major commitment. Since Doane Stuart has a need-based financial aid program, which benefits 40 percent of the students and families, tuition should not be a deterrent from attending Doane Stuart.

How is a Financial Aid Grant determined?

To allow the School to determine your family’s eligibility for Financial Aid, you must complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) through School and Student Services (SSS). SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). You may visit the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) at http://sss.nais.org/parents/ and complete the required form online.

In addition to submitting the PFS a copy of your 2009 tax return and W2s must be submitted to SSS. Doane Stuart’s school code is 2878.

Approximately two weeks after receiving the PFS, the SSS sends Doane Stuart a Report for Family Contribution, which estimates a percentage of the family’s discretionary income that can be used toward their child’s tuition at Doane Stuart. The Financial Aid Committee at Doane Stuart reviews the Report, as well as any other information from the tax returns, to determine the family’s need.

How many students receive financial aid?

Approximately 40 percent of Doane Stuart students receive need-based financial aid from a Financial Aid budget of nearly $1,000,000.

Do students wear uniforms? Is there a dress code?

All students in grades 1 through 12 are required to wear clothing that meets dress code requirements. The dress code includes a solid-colored white, forest green, or navy blue Doane Stuart polo shirt and plain, khaki pants and classic navy/evergreen plaid pleated skirt (for girls).

Dress Uniform is required of students for special events that typically happen once or twice per month. Dress Uniform includes (for boys) white button-down shirt with Doane Stuart tie, navy blue blazer with logo/patch, khaki slacks, and dress shoes, and (for girls) white button-down shirt/blouse, classic navy/evergreen plaid pleated skirt, navy blue blazer with logo/patch, and dress shoes.

A list of specific uniform requirements is included in the Handbook for each division.

What is the admission deadline?

Completed applications are reviewed by the Admission Committee on a rolling basis until a class becomes full. Typically, some classes will form a waitlist in the summer prior to the beginning of the school year. We recommend that students complete the application process, along with the required Class Visit, in the winter or spring prior to the year of anticipated enrollment.  However, applicants are welcome to apply at anytime throughout the year.

From which communities do students come?

Enrolled students come from every quarter the Capital Region, including Albany, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Columbia, and Greene counties.

Is busing available?

Yes. Students who live within 15 miles of the School can apply to receive bus transportation through their own school district. Doane Stuart provides, also, free busing for students who live in Saratoga County (with pick-ups in Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs), as well as Columbia and Greene Counties (with pick-ups in Catskill and Valatie/Kinderhook). For more specific information about our complimentary busing program, please contact the Admission Office at (518) 465-5222, ext. 209 or ext. 210.

Please note: Complimentary busing routes are subject to change.