Founded in 1955, it first had only 3 teachers and nineteen students. Enrollment for 2007–2008 was 176 students with 32 teachers. Its mission is to "nurture each child in mind, body, and spirit and guide students toward responsibility for themselves, one another, and the world around them".

History
Dutchess Day School was founded in 1955 by a group of parents in the Millbrook area who wanted to give their children the benefits of going to a private, independent school. The school has grown to serve not only children from New York but Connecticut.[3] One of the school facilities is located in a nineteenth-century farmhouse overlooking fields and farms.[4] This farmhouse has been added on to numerous times, and now holds the main area for all classes execpt for physical education.