OUR MISSION

The Ichabod Crane Central School District is dedicated to preparing students to become contributing members of society in an ever-changing world by valuing diversity; providing a safe environment; and promoting unique talents, a desire for life-long learning, a strong spirit of community, and Rider pride.

WHERE WE'RE LOCATED 

Nestled between the Catskill and Berkshire mountains, Ichabod Crane Central School District serves a population of 8,296 residents in northern Columbia and southern Rensselaer counties. The District's rural setting provides a relaxed quality of life for its residents, while its close proximity to New York's capital, Albany, 26 miles northeast, and to New York City, 120 miles south, offers easy access to major metropolitan areas. Washington Irving described the area as "...a little retired Dutch valley...where manners, and customs remain fixed..." and that atmosphere has remained. Irving modeled his character, Ichabod Crane, in the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow," after his good friend and then local school master, Jesse Merwin.

Steeped in history, the District is home to many unique sites such as Martin Van Buren National Historic Site and the Columbia County Historical Society, which maintains the Columbia County Museum, Vanderpoel House, Van Alen House and the 1920 Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse.

THEN AND NOW

The Ichabod Crane School District was formed in 1954, incorporating seven community schools into one centralized district. The district educates approximately 1,900 students from kindergarten through grade 12 in three school buildings. The Ichabod Crane High School, located on Route 9 in the town of Kinderhook, serves a population of approximately 620 students in grades 9 through 12. The Ichabod Crane Primary School is home to approximately 550 students in kindergarten through grade 3 and the Ichabod Crane Middle School building houses both the Ichabod Crane Middle School and Ichabod Crane Elementary School. The consolidation of two schools into one building is a recent change to the physical make-up of the district, and brings all district students together on one campus.

Prior to 2011, the district had two satellite elementary school buildings, located in the villages of Valatie and Kinderhook. The two schools were named for the district’s famous sons – Martin Van Buren and Martin H. Glynn. Van Buren, who made his home in Kinderhook, served as New York state attorney general, vice president under Andrew Jackson and the eighth president of the United States. Glynn, who was raised in the village of Valatie, served as a U.S. representative, as well as the governor of New York from 1913 to 1915.

The total district enrollment is approximately 1,900 students with a professional staff of 225 and support staff of 110.