Zena Democratic School

No School - Thanksgiving Break
2026-11-25 - 2026-11-27
No School – Thanksgiving Break

No School - Veteran's Day
2026-11-11
No School – Veteran’s Day

No School - Election Day
2026-11-03
No School – Election Day

School Closed - Indigenous People's Day
2026-10-12
School Closed – Indigenous People’s Day

Fall Potluck
2026-10-02 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Our annual Fall Potluck and Variety Show

Fall Open House
2026-09-26 13:00 - 16:00
ZDS Open Houses are the best way to learn more about the school. Students, parents, alumni, and staff members will be in attendance to give tours of the campus, discuss the school, and answer questions. Panel discussion at 2:00pm.

No School - Yom Kippur
2026-09-21
No School – Yom Kippur

Ice Cream Social
2026-09-18 16:00 - 18:00
ZDS Families and alumni are welcome to join us for ice cream and friends!

First Day of School
2026-09-09 08:30 - 16:00
First Day of School!

Welcome Back Picnic
2026-09-03 16:00 - 18:00
A potluck picnic at Forsyth Nature Center to kick off the new year

ZDS Summer
2026-08-24 09:00 - 2026-08-28 15:00
Join us for a week of ZDS-style fun: time to bask in the freedom of the summer sun, to be with friends, to read, to draw, to play, to catch up with staff and to remember what it feels like to be at “school.” See Summer Camp for more detail and to register

Wayfinder Adventures Week 3
2026-08-03 - 2026-08-07
Wayfinder Adventures Week 3
See Summer page for more info and to register

Wayfinder Adventures Week 2
2026-07-27 - 2026-07-31
Wayfinder Adventures Week 2
See Summer page for more info and to register

Wayfinder Adventures Week 1
2026-07-20 - 2026-07-24
Wayfinder Adventures Week 1
See Summer page for more info and to register

School Closed - Rosh Hashannah
2026-06-16
School Closed – Rosh Hashannah

Last Day of School
2026-06-12
School’s Out for the Summer!

Graduation Picnic
2026-06-06 16:00 - 22:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
Join us in celebrating the class of 2026 and another year of self-directed education!

Clothing Swap
2026-05-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY

Diploma Celebration
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
At the Diploma Celebration our Diploma Candidates will present a short summary of their adventure, act of service, thesis/transcript, and any other supporting work completed in the Diploma Process. Following the presentation there will be a Q&A with the candidate entertaining questions and feedback from the audience. Following this there will be light refreshments and mingling to celebrate his accomplishments.

No School - Memorial Day
2026-05-25
School closed in recognition of Memorial Day

Playground Build Day
2026-05-22 10:00 - 15:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
Join us as we maintain and add to our beloved playground!

Open House
2026-05-16 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
ZDS Open Houses are the best way to learn more about the school. Students, parents, alumni, and staff members will be in attendance to give tours of the campus, discuss the school, and answer questions. Panel discussion at 2:00pm.
RSVP >

Trail Work Day
2026-05-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
Help us maintain the trails that run through our beautiful wooded campus!

ZDS Theater Cooperative Showcase
2026-05-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
The Theater Cooperative has been hard at work this spring and can’t wait to share what they have been working on with Trine, ZDS parent and director! They will delight you with a showcase of monologues, scenes, one acts, and songs! Tickets are $10 at the “door” – show is outside on the ZDS stage. Please come cheer them on!

Car Wash
2026-05-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Zena Democratic School, 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
Imagine this, the outside of your car is filthy and you have no desire to clean it, so instead you drive to the school to pick up your child. When you arrive, smiling kids serve you refreshments through your car window. And then Luca, Autumn Sky and Miette (and some special guests) scrub your car down. All you need to do is sit cozily inside enjoying your snacks and knowing you are helping them pursue their Diploma Adventures. Does it sound too good to be true? It’s not! Once signed up you can show up anytime during the half hour slot and they will get to work making sure your belly is full and your car is sparkling! Car wash is by donation.
Signup for a slot: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bws1iZvgdXHAwkTfXE–n4l19r9nuxwbodFFoi6YCl4/edit?usp=sharing

No School - Spring Break
2026-03-30 - 2026-04-06
School Closed for Spring Break

No School - February Break
2026-02-16 - 2026-02-20
School is closed for February Break

Valentine's Ball
2026-02-13 18:00 - 21:00
A fancy dance party for students, staff, parents, friends, and alumni
