School Districts
Community Information  The historic manufacturing City of Peekskill is located about 40 miles north of Manhattan and occupies a little more than 4.5 square miles of very dramatic and hilly terrain situated on a quiet, wide bend of the Hudson River.
Originally established as a remote trading post in the late 1600's by Jan Peeck it always had to rely on the Hudson River for access and commerce. During the Revolutionary War it was the scene of several pitched battles between British and American Forces, and was razed twice by the British in the process. However the British were never able to break the American lines and were denied to sail their warships upstream. Later in the 19th century it became a thriving manufacturing center for a wide range of goods and was able to add several highways for easier travel. An Artist's District, a Business Improvement District, plus ongoing and planned renovation and innovative use of several sizable buildings are revitalizing the central business district. Now pleasant restaurants, galleries, boutique shopping, and a weekly farmers' market entice residents and visitors alike. Peekskill’s eleven parks offer every imaginable sport and leisure activity. Depew Park features swimming, tennis, nature trails, a playground and a nature center. Charles Point / China Pier hosts the tall ships during the Peekskill Celebration Days and provides a great spot for a picnic and river watching. Blue Mountain Reservation, the Westchester County-owned 1,600 acre park has 15 miles of marked hiking paths and riding trails. Riverfront Green offers outdoor concerts and boating. MV Commander, the historic excursion boat sails from Peekskill’s Riverfront Green on the last Saturday of every month from May through October, offering a three-hour narrated cruise upriver into the Hudson Highlands. The Paramount Center for the Arts hosts top quality live entertainment, movies, gallery showings and educational programs.
Peekskill's community pays much attention to the education of their youth and the city school system is administered by a concerned and caring independent Board of Education. There are six schools in the Peekskill City School District: four elementary, one middle and one high school. A small portion of southern Peekskill is in the Hendrick Hudson School District. |