named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
FunFit
Physical development program introducing gymnastics, rock climbing, balance, strength, and flexibility, with progressive skill-building from Kindergarten through Class IV.
Idea Kitchen and Measure, Cut and Code
Interdisciplinary program in Class IV that integrates art, technology, and science through hands-on projects involving coding, design, and interactive art.
Lower School Program
Comprehensive academic and social-emotional curriculum for girls in Kindergarten through Class IV (grade 4), featuring literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, Mandarin, music, art, dance, physical education, and technology.
Mandarin Language Program
Sequential Mandarin instruction from Kindergarten through Class IV focusing on speaking, listening, reading Pinyin, writing characters, and cultural exploration through holidays and traditions.
Woodworking
Class III program teaching spatial reasoning and mechanical skills through the use of hand tools to design and build functional wooden objects.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Teacher Professional Development 2 activities
- Conducts institutional research and curriculum developmentConducts external curriculum reviews across K–12 for academic departments including Drama, Math, Music, Science, and Technology. Engages in ongoing academic improvement through curriculum revision and evaluation.
- Invests in faculty development and institutional capacityRevises and formalizes faculty and staff hiring, professional development, evaluation, and growth programs to support recruitment and retention. These capacity-building efforts strengthen the school’s educational foundation.
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Student Club and Organization Support 1 activity
- Facilitates student clubs and extracurricular activitiesSupports more than 50 student-led clubs and offers 18 summer programs that extend learning and engagement beyond the academic year. These programs foster leadership, collaboration, and intellectual exploration.
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Student-Led Identity and Enrichment Programming 1 activity
- Funds and supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiativesImplements K–12 wellness, advisory, and DEIA programs with dedicated staffing and time in the academic schedule. Includes student-led groups such as the Student Diversity Leadership Council, identity-based affinity groups, and antiracism working groups involving students, parents, faculty, and trustees. Also supports a Staff and Teachers of Color (STOC) group and a Parent Equity Committee.
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School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Hosts cultural and community eventsOrganizes annual traditions such as Mountain Day, which includes outdoor excursions to Bear Mountain, and cultural celebrations like the Lunar New Year, where students perform Mandarin plays. Regular assemblies and performances in the Performance Hall strengthen community bonds.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Integrates sustainability and hands-on learningProvides experiential education through a roof garden program that teaches plant life cycles and sustainability. Offers interdisciplinary courses such as "Measure, Cut and Code" in the Idea Kitchen, integrating art, technology, and science through project-based learning.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Offers arts education and performance programsProvides robust music, visual art, drama, and dance programs, including three orchestras, 20 annual mainstage and dance performances, and individual instrument distribution starting in Class III. Students engage in performance opportunities such as concerts, choral instruction, and student-developed dance productions in ballet and modern dance.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Organizes academic and cultural field tripsConducts regular educational excursions, including weekly visits to cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art for art history students and kindergarten trips to city green markets to support sustainability and nutrition projects.
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Multi-Institution Scholarship Funding 1 activity
- Provides financial assistance to studentsAwards $10.4 million in financial aid annually to support student access and enrollment. This grantmaking activity ensures socioeconomic diversity and affordability for families across New York City.
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Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Provides private K–12 education for girls in New York CityOffers a comprehensive academic program for girls from Kindergarten through Class XII, currently enrolling 794 students from 120 different ZIP codes. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development, with instruction across core disciplines including English, history, math, science, modern languages, classics, art, drama, and music.
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Universal In-School Meal Service 1 activity
- Provides student dining and community responsibility programsOperates a gracious dining program in which all Lower School students participate, fostering responsibility, etiquette, and community care through shared meals.
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Interscholastic and Inclusive School Sports Programs 1 activity
- Supports student athletics and physical educationOperates 14 varsity sports teams and provides physical education classes with a no-cut policy for students starting in Class V. The athletic program supports student participation and development in sports and physical wellness.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$69.33M
Contributions & grants$13.99M20%
Program service revenue$50.26M72%
Investment income$4.35M6%
Other revenue$736K
expenses
Total expenses$66.44M
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$39.59M
Grants paid out$8.41M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$411.15M
Cash$9.23M
Investments$211.76M
Liabilities$88.30M
Net assets$322.85M
Liquid reserves39.9 mo
7 years on record · 2018–2024 · YoY revenue +1.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANE FOLEY FRIED | HEAD OF SCHOOL (TO 6/25) | 40 | $1.13M |
| RAHUL TRIPATHI | CFO/COO | 40 | $586K |
| JAMES E MULKIN | ASST. HEAD ACADEMIC LIFE | 40 | $436K |
| PHOEBE GEER | DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $351K |
| CAROLYN CLARK | DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE ADVISING | 40 | $338K |
| MARIA-ANNA ZIMMERMANN | HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL | 40 | $332K |
| DORIS COLEMAN | DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES | 40 | $315K |
| BETTY NOEL | HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL | 40 | $291K |
board members · 16
- ALAN YAN — TRUSTEE
- ALEXANDER BRODSKY — TRUSTEE
- BILL SHUTZER — TRUSTEE
- DAPHNE CRESPO-HELM — TRUSTEE
- GIDEON BERGER — TRUSTEE
- JOHN MCGINN — TRUSTEE
- KATRINA MCALL — TRUSTEE
- LAUREN WASSON — TRUSTEE
- LITA TANDON — TRUSTEE
- MARGO NEDERLANDER — TRUSTEE
- MARTHA HAAKMAT — TRUSTEE
- MEGAN LUI — TRUSTEE
- MODUPE AKINOLA ROBINSON — PRESIDENT
- MUNIB ISLAM — TREASURER
- NEKESA STRAKER — TRUSTEE
- NING JIN — TRUSTEE
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Alumnae Board Partner — Engages in annual conversations with the Office of Equity and Community Engagement to connect alumnae with current students and share updates about the school.
- Asphalt Green Partner — Students use the fields at Asphalt Green for sports games and practices.
- Carl Schurz Park Partner — Provides outdoor space for the Brearley community to relax, walk, and play near the East River.
- Emma Willard School Partner — Former leadership role where Ms. Rao served as head of school.
- Garrison Forest School Partner — Former senior leadership roles held by Ms. Rao.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Collaborates with the Metropolitan Museum of Art through regular student visits as part of the art history curriculum.
- NYU Tandon School of Engineering Partner — Collaborates with Brearley on a STEM program and integration of computational thinking.
- New York Association of Independent Schools Network — Service on the Board of Trustees, including roles as vice president, president, and accreditation team chair.
- New York Foundation for the Arts Partner — Partners with Anonymous Was A Woman to administer the Environmental Art Grant.
- Parents’ Association Partner — Collaborates with the Office of Equity and Community Engagement to strengthen community engagement and equity initiatives.
- Randall's Island Partner — Students use the fields at Randall's Island for sports games and practices.
- Smith College Partner — Modeled Mountain Day tradition after Smith College's annual Mountain Day.
- THE BREARLEY SCHOOL Network — Member of independent school networks focused on girls' education
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential Learning Through Cultural and Hands-On Engagementmethodology: experiential_learningBy integrating visits to cultural institutions and hands-on maker activities, the school deepens student engagement with academic subjects because direct experience fosters meaningful, lasting understanding.
- Integrated Social-Emotional and Academic Developmentmethodology: integrated-social-emotional-learningBy integrating social and emotional learning into the curriculum, the school supports holistic development because teaching empathy and emotion regulation from an early age strengthens both personal well-being and academic engagement.
- Intentionally Rigorous, Personalized Academic Environmentmethodology: intentional rigorBy combining intentional academic rigor with small class sizes and close mentorship, the school helps students realize their potential because challenge within a supportive context encourages risk-taking and deep learning.
- Socratic Inquiry for Critical Engagementmethodology: Socratic inquiryBy using a Socratic, inquiry-based approach, the school cultivates academic excellence and truth-seeking because continuous questioning promotes deep critical engagement and inclusive dialogue.
- Student-Centered Approach to Equity and Inclusionmethodology: student_centered_approachBy centering student voices and leadership in shaping initiatives, the school advances equity and belonging because empowering students fosters ownership, authentic dialogue, and sustainable cultural change.