A private New York State registered boarding school.
  • Who We Are

    Who We Are

    The Family Foundation School is a private, therapeutic boarding school for teens at risk, serving grades 9 through 12...

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  • Decisions, Decisions

    Decisions, Decisions

    The decisions involved in selecting the right boarding school are never easy...

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  • Academics

    Academics

    We offer high school math through calculus, earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics...

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  • Counseling

    Counseling

    Therapeutic counseling is one of three essential components of The Family Foundation School program...

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  • Extracurricular

    Extracurricular

    In addition to providing the exercise all teens need, competitive athletics teach self discipline...

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  • Parent Resources

    Parent Resources

    Parents and families of teenagers are often at a loss when it comes to understanding a teen's problem behavior...

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Music and Drama

Music in Life

This course combines the study of music theory and history with practical application. Students learn the basic concepts of reading musical notation and how to apply those concepts to voice and instrumentation. This course also stresses concepts like musical notation, harmony, modulation, and rhythm. Students will apply this knowledge in composition and analysis.

Chorus

This course is offered to students who have shown a proficiency in music application. Students must be able to read basic musical notation or have a desire to learn. This course includes out-of-classroom practice and performances. Students also learn proper vocal technique.

Play Production

All students will be involved in some aspect of the production of one or more plays during the course of a year. In this hands-on course, students will learn about a variety of aspects of play production and will help write, direct, produce, create sets for, act in, and manage one or more of these plays.

For more information visit our Arts Blog.

Music and Drama Faculty

Tom Kovaleski Tom Kovaleski Choreographer and Dance Teacher

B.A., University of Southern Florida

Tom came to The Family Foundation School with more than 20 years' experience teaching and performing as a professional dancer. He has served as co-chairman of the Dance Program at Florida School of the Arts, and has been a member of the Cincinnati Ballet Company, the Florida Repertory Dance Theatre, the California Ballet Company, and the North Carolina Dance Theatre. He currently teaches jazz, ballet, and tap dance at FFS and is founder and director of the school's nationally recognized Show Choir. Tom and his wife Kathy live in rural Pennsylvania.

Sidney F. Parham, Ph.D. Sidney F. Parham, Ph.D. Drama Department Chairman

B.A., English, Washington and Lee University
M.A., English, University of Virginia
Ph.D., drama, Tufts University

An administrator and college English teacher at The Family Foundation School, Sid's real passion is the theater. Since joining FFS in 2000, the school's drama department has grown and evolved under his leadership, with The Family Players now rivaling many college and community troupes.  A performer himself, with a Ph.D. in drama, Sid has made the works of such classic playwrights as Moliere, Chekov, and Dorothy Parker both accessible and wildly entertaining to contemporary audiences.  He resides on campus with his wife, FFS administrator Rita Argiros, and their two German shepherds.

Paul Geer Paul Geer Choral Director

B.M., SUNY Potsdam
M.A., California State University

Paul has been teaching vocal/choral music at The Family Foundation School since 1991, and is credited with building the school's nationally recognized music program. Under his direction, the Family Singers have been winning accolades at the North American Music Festival for more than a dozen years, and have performed numerous concerts for local, regional, and national audiences. Paul has served as guest conductor for choral groups on many occasions, most notably the HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) chorus. He also served as an FFS family leader for a number of years. Paul and his wife Diane enjoy quiet country living in their home on the wooded FFS campus.