Our Founder
Lisa Daniels, Founder of Mizzentop Day School
Hundreds of students over the past ten years have benefited thanks to the initiative of Mizzentop Day School’s Founding Head, Lisa Daniels. She, along with a dedicated group of supporters, founded MDS as a small preschool on Quaker Hill in Pawling in 1998. That started a new chapter in the history book of education in Pawling and its surrounding communities.
In his introductory remarks at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2008, Steve Cash, Mizzentop’s second Head of School, said, “Many independent schools have interesting and varied histories and are the result of one person’s desire to serve the students of the local community. Many were founded with small numbers and only one or two classes. Then, as people saw the tremendous value of the education provided, more parents became interested and the school grew. This story holds true here at Mizzentop Day School. And the person with the vision and drive to get it all started is, of course, Lisa Daniels. I would like to ask that we all recognize the tremendous foresight and inspiration Lisa had ten years ago when she founded our school. We would not be here today without her efforts.”
During the 2007-2008 school year, Mizzentop celebrated its 10th Birthday. So much has changed since day one, and so many new families have now been touched by this school, its solid philosophy and mission, and its incredibly dedicated staff. And it seems inevitable that many even more exciting years are on the horizon, as MDS works towards its pursuit of continuous improvement and progress. But, no matter how much might change in Mizzentop’s future, its roots will remain in tact and will continue to be the foundation for future decisions and plans. Many years from now, when MDS staff, parents, and students are celebrating the school’s 100th birthday, the storyof our roots and our founder will still be told.
Mizzentop's History
What does "Mizzentop" mean?
Long before the construction of Christ Church and The Lowell Thomas Center on Quaker Hill, there stood a magnificent structure known as the Mizzentop Hotel. This beautiful hotel was completed in 1881, and was the conception of Albert Akin (a member of one of Pawling's founding families). This 165-room hotel operated for over 50 years, serving rail riders and vacationers from New York City. The hotel was named by Admiral John Lorimer Worden, former commander of the Civil War ship "Monitor" and who was subsequently a Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Admiral Worden often spent summers on Quaker Hill and eventually married Olivia Toffey, the daughter of a prominent Pawling resident. Since the hotel views of the Harlem Valley and Catskill Mountains were so spectacular, he appropriately named the hotel "Mizzentop" after one of the highest points on a ship - the mizzen mast. Due to the fact that the school was originally situated on top of Quaker Hill, it was befitting to name the school Mizzentop Day School.
Mizzentop Day School opened in 1998, serving fifty children in pre-kindergarten through first grade. The location was The Lowell Thomas Center at Christ Church on Quaker Hill. Parent interest was keen as Mizzentop answered a community need for increased educational options including small class size, individually tailored learning, educational daycare, half- and full-day kindergarten options, and lower elementary grades. Parent demand quickly outpaced the schools expectations during the first year. Working families found Mizzentop Day School's "Before and After School Program" to be especially helpful since it provided full coverage and continuity during their workday schedule. The first year ended with more children than it had begun with, and more children enrolled for 1999.
Adding a multi-aged second/third grade class and sections in the pre-kindergarten program further expanded Mizzentop's programs. During the second year of operation, 67 families from seven area communities comprised a school population of 81 children ranging in age from 3 to 9 years. It seemed as if overnight Mizzentop was on a path, which in a few short years would steer it toward its goal of offering a rigorous academic program through the eighth grade.
With 101 students enrolled, the 2000-2001 school year opened filled to capacity and serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. In just two years the program grew to include Art, Music, Drama, Computer, Physical Education, French, festivals, plays, over night field trips, and vacation camps.
In 2002, 165 excited students entered the new, state-of-the-art facility, which had relocated to the Village of Pawling.
At the heart of the Mizzentop Day School experience is a dedicated staff that believes in the philosophy and mission that embraces the whole child. Mizzentop's goal has been to nurture children to be lifelong learners, who will discover the joys and satisfaction of mastering skills while acquiring knowledge in a safe and academically rigorous setting.
Mizzentop has grown to 170 students, and has graduated four Eighth Grade classes. Mizzentop continues to be on the cutting edge in programming and curriculum, constantly sailing forward to improve it's facility and programs.
During the 2007-2008 school year Mizzentop celebrated its 10th year in operation.
