Open House
2026-05-16 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 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.
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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!

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

Wayfinder Adventures Week 1
2026-07-20 - 2026-07-24
Wayfinder Adventures Week 1
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 3
2026-08-03 - 2026-08-07
Wayfinder Adventures Week 3
See Summer page for more info and to register

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Fall Potluck
2026-10-02 17:00 - 20:00
Our annual Fall Potluck and Variety Show

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

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

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

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

No School - Winter Break
2026-12-21 - 2027-01-01
No School – Winter Break

No School - Martin Luther King Day
2027-01-18
No School – Martin Luther King Day

Open House
2027-01-23 13:00 - 16:00, 2027-03-06 13:00 - 16:00

Assembly Meeting
2027-02-01 19:00 - 22:00
The annual meeting of the Assembly (parents, students and staff) for discussions, committee elections, and bylaw ratification

Valentine's Ball
2027-02-12 18:00 - 21:00
Fancy Family Dance Party

No School - February Break
2027-02-15 - 2027-02-19
No School – February Break

No School - Spring Break
2027-03-22 - 2027-03-29
No School – Spring Break
