Pocantico Hills, New York Homes for Sale

Pocantico Hills is a hamlet in the town of Mount Pleasant, northeast of the village of Sleepy Hollow and southwest of the village of Pleasantville. The area was originally settled by Native Americans of the Wecquaesgeek tribes; "Pocantico" means "running between two hills," and the name is a reference to the meandering Pocantico River. Nestled between the Hudson River on the west and the Saw Mill River Parkway on the east, one finds pristine woodlands, brooks, 1,000 acres of hiking trails, and nature walks an hour's drive from downtown Manhattan.

Pocantico Hills is home to one of America's most famous private residences, the stone mansion called Kykuit (meaning “lookout” in Dutch), also known as John D. Rockefeller Estate. It is a 40-room National Trust house built by the oil businessman, philanthropist and founder of the prominent Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller, and his son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The estate is enriched with art collected by a third-generation family member, the Governor of New York and Vice-President of the United States, Nelson A. Rockefeller. It has been the home to four generations of the family. It overlooks the Hudson River at Tappan Zee Bridge and, in the distance, the New York skyline.

The Union Church of Pocantico Hills is also in the hamlet. This quaint stone church was built by the Rockefeller family for their and the communities’s use. It features beautiful stained glass originals including one by Henri Matisse and nine by Marc Chagall. The Matisse window was his final piece prior to his death in 1954 and was commissioned by Nelson A. Rockefeller in memory of his mother, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, one of the founders of the Museum of Modern Art.

In 1931, workers laid the cornerstone for the Pocantico Hills Central School. For many years this school has educated generations and been the center of the community. The school has grown in size, in experience and in meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world. The school is organized into three Houses; Primary, Intermediate, and Middle School. Teachers and students can collaborate within these work groups to share information and resources. Strategic Framework is the blueprint for the School District and guides us in prioritizing and achieving annual goals. Pocantico Hills Central School is organized as a Pre-K through grade 8 district. Upon completion of eighth grade, students may choose to attend one of three public high schools to complete their secondary program. They refer to Briarcliff High School, Pleasantville High School, and Sleepy Hollow High School as their “partner schools”.

The district’s commitment to secondary students does not end with high school selection. Each year Pocantico Hills School hosts an annual Alumni Days when they welcome graduates back to Pocantico Hills. These events reconnect high school students with their alma mater and provide staff with valuable information and insight. In addition, representatives from our Board of Education and administrative team proudly attend graduation ceremonies at each of the three high schools.

Pocantico Hills Central School District: http://www.pocanticohills.org
Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate: http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit