Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain information about Purnell?

Where is Purnell located? 

Do students wear a uniform?

Will I have a roommate?

Will I ever get to meet boys?

What do students do on the weekends?

When can I see my family?

Will I be able to travel home on vacations?

How do I get to or from Purnell after an open weekend or vacation?

Are teachers available if I need assistance outside of class?

How can I contact Purnell if I have questions regarding my daughter?

What colleges do Purnell graduates attend?

How do I obtain information about Purnell?
To receive more information about Purnell, you can call our Admissions Office at (908) 439-4009 or send an email to info@purnell.org. You can also click here for our inquiry form  to apply now.

Where is Purnell located?
Purnell is located in Pottersville, New Jersey an hour west of New York City and two hours north of Philadelphia. The countryside around Purnell is horse and farm country, with picturesque rolling hills and deciduous forests. Rivers and streams meander across the landscape and even across our beautiful 83-acre campus. Purnell is safely nestled away from the distractions of the city yet close enough to take advantage of the cultural attractions on weekends. 

Do students wear a uniform?
Although there are many opportunities for dress down days throughout the school year, during the academic day students must wear a white Oxford shirt with the Purnell sweater or vest with a kilt or dark blue jeans. Underclasswomen can also wear a blue Purnell blazer, while seniors have the option of wearing a red Purnell blazer or college sweatshirt. During the weekends students are not required to wear unifoms.

Will I have a roommate?
Typically students are given roommates to make their transition from being away from home easier. While most students prefer to live with a roommate, there are a limited number of single rooms available. Priority for single rooms is usually given to school leaders and seniors.

Will I ever get to meet boys?
Purnell students have ample opportunity to meet boys on the weekends. There are also opportunities to meet boys at dances, social events on campus or at boys' schools in the area. Purnell also has a Prom and students attend boys' sporting events.

What do students do on the weekends?
Each weekend Purnell provides a variety of on-campus and off-campus activities. Regular scheduled weekend activities include: local trips, dances at nearby boys' schools, weekend trips to NYC, day trips skiing or to an amusement park, and on campus activities such as game nights and movie showings.

When can I see my family?
Purnell students are given the opportunity to leave campus during open weekends. In addition, students have the opportunity to go home during long weekends, Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks. Families are welcome on campus at any given time but are encouraged to attend Fall and Spring Family Weekends, sporting events, class banquets, the Project Exploration Showcase, and the end-of-year Awards Ceremony.  On Wednesday evenings, students can enjoy dinner with family members who live locally either by dining together on campus or taking a meal permission off campus for a meal.

Will I be able to travel home on vacations?
Given that our students come from across the world, students at Purnell are given ample time to travel home on vacations. Winter and Spring breaks are about two weeks long and Thanksgiving break is about nine days long. Students who are unable to travel home usually stay with a friend from Purnell or local family members.

How do I get to or from Purnell after an open weekend or vacation?
Prior to leaving for an open weekend or vacation, if transportation is needed, students can sign up to take the school's transportation to and from the local Peapack-Gladstone train station. Additional travel arrangements through a car service company will need to be booked if students need to be dropped off or picked up from an airport, bus terminal, or any other train station besides Peapack-Gladstone.

Are teachers available if I need assistance outside of class?
The academic day is structured in a way that each student and teacher is available for office hours. This time is meant for students to seek out extra help in areas where they need additional academic support. Although office hours are the formal way of obtaining additional academic support, students may set up additional appointments with their teachers; moreover, a study period is built into each student's schedule and students are required to attend study hall Sunday through Thursday, which are both supervised by members of the faculty.

How can I contact Purnell if I have questions regarding my daughter?
Each student at Purnell is assigned an advisor, a member of the faculty or staff who will oversee your daughter's academic career and well-being while at school. Students meet with their advisor each week as a regular check-in to see how they are progressing in their classes, adapting to being away from home, living in the dorms, etc. As a parent you are encouraged to use your daughter's advisor as a main source of contact. Contact information for your daughter's advisor will be sent home and given to you during orientation. A list of faculty and staff contact information can also be found in the Contact Us section under About Us.

What colleges do Purnell graduates attend?
In the past, Purnell graduates have attended an array of fine colleges and universities, including: New York University, Penn State, University of Notre Dame, Smith College, Vassar College, and Ithaca College, among others. For a full list of colleges and universities please visit the College Process homepage.

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