Robert Tynes for Red Hook Central Board of Education

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

08/26/2026

High School sports preseason is underway and, for the first time since 2005, the Raiders are entering fall with a new director of athletics.
Quintin Johnson was appointed Red Hook’s Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics at the end of last school year. Tom Cassata, after leading the athletics department for 21 years, officially retired Aug. 14.
Under Cassata, Red Hook has perennially been a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete School of Excellence, with athletes excelling in a wide variety of sports. Last September, he was presented the Dr. William F. Moran Service Award, given by Section 9 each year to “an educator … universally recognized as representing the highest educational standards. The athletic director was also a driving force in renovating the high school’s gymnasium and the ongoing field renovation projects.
Johnson worked together with Cassata to prepare for this preseason and to hit the ground running in his first year since returning to the Red Hook district, where he previously taught at Mill Road elementary. With practices for all fall teams now underway, the new athletic director penned a message to students, families and the Red Hook community:

Dear Red Hook Central School District Community,

It is both an honor and a privilege to introduce myself as the new Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics for the Red Hook Central School District. I previously worked as a physical education teacher in the Red Hook Central School District from 2011-17.
I am excited to rejoin the district whose mission and vision emphasize personal growth, caring for others and empowering every individual to embrace today while navigating the possibilities of tomorrow. My goal is to support and represent these values in every aspect of our physical education, health, and athletics programs.
I strongly believe that education-based athletics are an extension of the classroom. This allows for some of the best experiences we can offer our students. Through sports and physical activity, students learn lessons that last a lifetime, including teamwork, perseverance, leadership, resilience and character. These experiences provide meaningful opportunities for personal growth and help prepare students for success both in school and later in life.
I look forward to working alongside our students, families, staff, coaches and community members to create positive experiences that support all our children and help build upon the deep tradition of Red Hook Raiders Athletics.

Sincerely,
Quintin D. Johnson
Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics

08/20/2026

Red Hook High School is rated the top high school in the region, which spans Dutchess and Orange counties, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2026-27 Best High Schools ranking.
Overall, the West Market Street school was ranked 37th among public high schools in New York and was in the top 13% of all 27,000 public high schools examined nationally.
“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible work happening every day at Red Hook High School,” Principal Dr. Kyle Roddey said. “None of this happens without the dedication of our teachers and staff, the support of our families and, most importantly, the hard work of our students. Being recognized as the top high school in the region is something our entire school community should be proud of.”
Red Hook has been honored in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list each year in recent memory. The organization ranks schools with a methodology that factors in data from the U.S. Department of Education, state assessments, College Board (Advanced Placement) and International Baccalaureate. The College Readiness Index and College Curriculum Breadth Index, two measurements of student participation and proficiency on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, accounted for 40% of a school’s score. Other factors included proficiency and performance on state math, science and reading assessments (40%); learning outcomes for “underserved” students, including a school’s Black, Hispanic and low-income populations; and a school’s graduation rate.
The data used incorporates a three-year average from the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years.
Red Hook during the 2024-25 year had a 95% graduation rate, among the highest in the region. However, the continued growth of participation in IB classes was the largest factor in the ranking. This past June, 34 members of the Class of 2026 graduated with a full IB diploma, the most in school history. U.S. News & World Report showed 36% of all students during the timeframe factored into the ranking took at least one IB exam and 35% passed at least one exam.
The school is continuing to expand its IB English for All initiative, with two new IB classes in the coming year that incorporate theatre instruction into the literature curriculum already offered to students. New career training courses in welding and cybersecurity, and the unique Winner Circle Program, have also been added.
“We are especially proud that more of our students than ever are challenging themselves through rigorous IB coursework and demonstrating that high expectations and expanded opportunities can go hand in hand,” Roddey said. “At the same time, we continue to grow career and technical pathways that give students meaningful options for their futures.”
Previously, Linden Avenue Middle School in November was included in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Middle Schools list for New York.
“In every choice we make as a district, we take an intentional, future-focused approach to preparing students for post-graduate success,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden said. “We offer rigorous courses that encourage students to build transferable skills, and our students are thriving as a result. We are pleased this focus on career preparation has been recognized.”

08/17/2026