The Highland Central School District, located in the historic Hudson Valley, encompasses a predominately residential area with a number of working farms and apple orchards in its midst. The close-knit community of approximately 11,000 residents affords easy access to the many cultural and educational opportunities in both Albany and New York City via the New York State Thruway and the Metro-North Railway. Also in the area are numerous prestigious colleges and universities including Vassar College, Marist College, SUNY New Paltz, the Culinary Institute of America, SUNY Ulster, and SUNY Dutchess.