Name: Wayfinder Adventures Week 2
Start: 2026-07-27T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-07-31T23:59:59-04:00

May 2026
Open House

May 16 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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 >
Playground Build Day

May 22 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Zena Democratic School 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY

Join us as we maintain and add to our beloved playground!
No School – Memorial Day

May 25

School closed in recognition of Memorial Day
Diploma Celebration

May 28 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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 […]
Clothing Swap

May 31 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Zena Democratic School 84 Zena Road, Kingston, NY
June 2026
Graduation Picnic

June 6 @ 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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

June 12

School's Out for the Summer!
School Closed – Rosh Hashannah

June 16

School Closed - Rosh Hashannah
July 2026
Wayfinder Adventures Week 1

July 20 - July 24

Wayfinder Adventures Week 1 See Summer page for more info and to register
Wayfinder Adventures Week 2

July 27 - July 31

Wayfinder Adventures Week 2 See Summer page for more info and to register

May 2026

Open House

Playground Build Day

No School – Memorial Day

Diploma Celebration

Clothing Swap

June 2026

Graduation Picnic

Last Day of School

School Closed – Rosh Hashannah

July 2026

Wayfinder Adventures Week 1

Wayfinder Adventures Week 2

Parents’ experience of the school is a crucial factor in determining their childrens’ experience of the school. Children of parents who work hard to understand our philosophy, communicate with staff, attend events, and connect with the community usually get the most out of our program.

Students may receive a diploma if they elect to undergo our internal diploma process.

Every student and staff at Zena Democratic School is assigned a cleaning job by the Physical Plant Clerk.

At Zena Democratic School, the jobs of administration and maintenance are divided into roles called Clerkships;

At Zena Democratic School, a Cooperative (coop) is a group of like-minded students and staff who organize around a common interest, like music, art, or sports.

Screens are allowed at school, with restrictions.

Each student aged 13+ is automatically enrolled in our High School Advisor Program;

Age-mixing is one of the most potent developmental experiences at Zena Democratic School.

At Zena Democratic School, rule infractions and interpersonal conflicts are resolved using sophisticated restorative justice tools.

Zena Democratic School is located on a parcel of 67 wooded acres in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

Zena Democratic School is a direct democracy; each student and member of the staff has an equal vote in managing all aspects of the school’s operation.