Peter Chorney

Peter was born into the field of helping adolescents—he grew up on the grounds of residential treatment programs and the Grove School campus. His work at Grove is an extension of how he was raised, and he considers it a privilege to make this his life’s work.

 

Peter earned his BA in Psychology and School Psychology from Bucknell University, where he also studied at the University of Lancaster in England. He holds an MS in Special Education with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. During his graduate studies, he conducted psychological research on borderline personality disorder and suicide at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx—work that deepened his understanding of the complex challenges many Grove students face.

 

His journey at Grove began during high school when he worked as a tutor and maintenance assistant. Throughout college, he served as a program counselor and later became a live-in Teacher/Counselor, teaching Math and Psychology. In 1996, he became a Residential Administrator, then Associate Director, and ultimately Executive Director. This progression gave him an intimate knowledge of every facet of the school’s operation—from classroom instruction to residential life to administrative leadership.

 

As Executive Director, Peter oversees all daily operations and leads the hiring of teachers, clinicians, and staff. But he remains deeply connected to campus life, serving as Baseball Coach and co-Advisor to the Student Council. He believes that effective leadership in therapeutic education requires staying close to students and the day-to-day rhythms of the community. Peter works closely with the leadership team to ensure Grove delivers a high-quality treatment program, and he maintains relationships with many alumni and families long after graduation.

 

Beyond Grove, Peter has worked as an Employment Specialist with developmentally delayed adults at SARAH in Guilford, CT, and interned as a middle school counselor in Lewisburg, PA. He is deeply involved in Madison, having served on the Executive Board of Friends of Madison Youth for over ten years, led fundraising efforts for the town, participated on Madison Youth Services committees, and served as Fall Baseball Commissioner and coach for Madison Little League. He also served as co-chair of the Education Committee at Temple Beth Tikvah.

 

Peter lives in Madison with his wife, Kim, a financial planner and active community member. Their two sons are now in college. His interests include baseball, tennis, pickleball, skiing, travel, reading, and fitness. He’s an avid Yankees and UConn Basketball fan.

 

Having witnessed Grove’s growth and evolution over more than two decades, Peter brings both institutional memory and forward-thinking leadership to his role. The opportunity to positively impact students and families drives his work every day.