Welcome to our community

Choosing a community in which to live is one of the most important decisions a family can make.

Community can be defined as a sharing of common characteristics, talents, and interests. The sharing that has made our school district a community didn't begin or end with different events or activities — it is something that is ongoing and continues to thrive on a daily basis. The interests we share are our school district, its children and the common characteristics of concerned people working together throughout the year by participating in school events, school board meetings, volunteer activity in classrooms, adult education courses, recreational and humanities events in our schools.

Community implies a give and take relationship, and regardless of our position in the Voorheesville community, whether we are parents, teachers, senior citizens or non-parents, it is our children that bind us together. They are our future and they are the reason why we work to provide the level of excellence in education found here in the Voorheesville community.

To see one example of how the community and school district work in conjunction with each other, visit the Voorheesville Community and School Foundation web site.

The Community

The Community had its beginnings as a railroad town along the Albany-Schoharie Railroad. In 1826, the Village of Voorheesville built its first school on a ¼ acre lot with a budget of $30. Once this area was dependent upon agriculture and small factories for its economic base. Most of the employment opportunities now exist in the Albany, Schenectady, and surrounding suburban areas. The district is 39 square miles in size and lies entirely within Albany County, mainly in the Towns of Berne, Guilderland and New Scotland. Even though the district is located within a short distance of major highways, rail and air transportation networks, it enjoys the peace and tranquility of the Helderberg Mountains where opportunities for outdoor recreation activities abound. Several cultural and educational centers are nearby including: New York State Theater and Museums, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Proctor’s Theater and the Pepsi Arena. There are local and professional sports teams. Sixteen local colleges and universities offer a wide range of educational opportunities.

For more information, visit the following Web sites:

Town of New Scotland

Village of Voorheesville

Voorheesville.net

The School-Community Connection

The Voorheesville Central School District is dedicated to excellence in education. Realizing that education is not an isolated activity allotted solely to the school during school hours, we have tried to build a powerful network or school-community partnerships which are jointly dedicated to providing the best education to the members of our community. Under the umbrella of various organizations, our district is involved in activities from 7:00 a.m. until late in the evening. Some of these committees and organizations are:

• Continuing Education – Providing extensive course offerings to adults for both the Fall and Spring semesters.

• Dollars for Scholars - Supporting activities to raise scholarship money for graduating students

• Friends of Music - supporting district music activities.

• Kids’ Club - Before and after school daycare program housed at the elementary School.

• Old Songs, Inc. - Local not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of traditional music and dance.

• Parent Teacher Association (PTA) - Supporting various activities and scholarship programs.

• Site Based Teams - Parents, administrators, teachers, staff and students dedicated to improving the overall academic program.

• Sports Booster Club - Supporting the after-school athletic program.

• Voorheesville Public Library - Works closely with the district wide librarians and teaching staff

• Community Involvement - Friends to Friends (swim program with students at the Wildwood School), Senior-to-Senior (students teaching senior citizens computer skills), the Wildwood Building Project, Senior Service Projects Scouts; Brownies; Girls Scouts; Kiwanis sponsored soccer, baseball and dance programs.

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The School District at a Glance

• Voorheesville Elementary School and Clayton A. Bouton High School have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.

• Enrollment as of Oct. 2006: 1,260.

• A Career Exploration Internship Program is available to 11th and 12th graders.

• Students may participate in any number of after school activities, clubs and sports.

• The Drama Club performs in a state of the art Performing Arts Center.

• Over 80% of the student body participate in extra-curricular activities.

• The High School has continually been ranked as one of the top 5 schools in the area by the Business Review.

• Kindergarten is offered as a half day program.

• The Girls' Basketball team has won the State Championship twice.

• The Boys' Soccer team has won the State Championship.

• Driver Education is offered as a behind the wheel Summer program.

• The Middle/High School houses a swimming pool that is open to the community.

• Voorheesville has an award winning Music program.

• Middle School students may study French and Spanish.

• College courses are offered through SUNY Albany and Schenectady Community College.

• The district has an integrated K-12 technology program. All classrooms are Ethernet wired for outside connection.

• The district offers courses in Digital Graphics, Communications and Media English.

• The district runs a comprehensive Adult Education program.

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