Palisades preschool plans to close, cites South Orangetown district dispute over lease
Red Owl Academy will shut down in mid August after the local school district offered only a short-term lease extension, leaving families searching for new childcare options similar to the preschool.
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Red Owl Academy, a preschool on Oak Tree Road in Palisades, will close its doors in mid‑August after they say the South Orangetown School District declined to renew the school’s five‑year lease.
Founder Liana Sargsyan‑Quinn opened the preschool at this location in December 2020, during what she noted as a challenging time for educators navigating the COVID‑19 pandemic. Now she has made the decision to close after the district offered an extension rather than a full renewal.
“I was only offered nine months extension. But no business can operate on nine months,” she said.
Sargsyan‑Quinn said she was not given a reason for the lease extension but believes it may be connected to her decision not to offer Universal Pre‑K next school year, citing financial and program concerns. She did not sign the lease extension.
Unable to secure a new location, she notified families last week. She frequently mentioned on Tuesday how important these families are to her.
“Knowing how hard it is to find a new place,” she said. “I realized I have to notify these families for them to look for a new place for their children.”
After learning about the lease issue, around a dozen parents from Rockland County and New Jersey spoke to News 12 in support of the school’s leadership, teachers and programs. Many expressed disappointment that the preschool will no longer be on Oak Tree Road.
“I’m really disappointed in the decision to not renew the lease,” said Janine, of Tappan.
“I’m a little disappointed that the community wouldn’t do everything possible to keep such a wonderful school, healthy and strong and just do anything they can to keep it going,” said William, of Piermont.
“It’s just a home for us. We love it here,” added Sam, from New Jersey.
A spokesperson for the South Orangetown School District said the district does not typically offer five‑year leases because rising enrollment may require the district to reclaim the space. The spokesperson also said the district offered to extend the lease into 2027 and noted that the district is already working with families to find appropriate Universal Pre‑Kindergarten placements.
Sargsyan‑Quinn disputed the claim, stating that years ago they were originally offered a 10-year lease - a five-year lease with a five-year renewal.
In the meantime, families with children too young for UPK will also need to secure new childcare arrangements before the preschool closes later this summer.
Families tell News 12 that they are already searching.
As for the future of Red Owl Academy, Sargsyan‑Quinn says she is focusing on finishing the summer programs before considering the next steps.
