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PAVE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 262272858 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B29 · Education · Large ($10M-$50M) · paveschools.org
revenue
$10.8M
expenses
$11.5M
net assets
$8.5M
employees
124
volunteers
15
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO THRIVE IN COMPETITIVE HIGH SCHOOLS AND FOUR YEAR COLLEGES.

profile · synthesized from sources

PAVE Academy Charter School is a K-8 public school in Brooklyn, NY, focused on preparing students for success in competitive high schools and four-year colleges. The school emphasizes academic rigor, critical thinking, and social-emotional development, with a track record of sending graduates to top-tier high schools and universities. Instruction begins with a strong foundation in early literacy and extends through college readiness.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

After-School Programs
Extracurricular activities offered daily to support student development and engagement
College Readiness Program
Prepares students for college through academic support and guidance, with alumni attending top universities
K-8 Academic Program
Comprehensive curriculum focused on critical thinking, problem-solving, and early literacy, preparing students for competitive high schools
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 2 activities
    • After-School Enrichment Program
      Operates a free after-school program for grades K-8 that includes homework help and a range of extracurricular activities such as athletics, debate, robotics, STEM, dance, cheerleading, and performing arts.
    • Physical and Performing Arts Instruction
      Offers daily instruction and enrichment in physical education, art, dance, and performing arts during the school day, with dedicated recess and extracurricular opportunities to support holistic student development.
  • Special Education Support Services 2 activities
    • Special Education Staff Capacity Building
      Coaches and supports ICT teachers, related service providers, and SETSS instructors in implementing research-based, inclusive, and student-centered special education strategies to improve instructional quality and inclusion.
    • Special Education and Inclusive Support Services
      Provides individualized education plans (IEPs), small-group instruction, tailored accommodations, and English language development for students with special needs and English Language Learners, supported by integrated classroom models and small-group interventions.
  • College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
    • Academic Advancement and Credit-Bearing Opportunities
      Supports middle school students in earning high school credit by enabling them to pass Regents exams early, advancing their academic trajectories.
  • School and School-Community Events 1 activity
    • Community and Character Development Program
      Holds daily community and character-building sessions Monday through Thursday and hosts weekly Friday community meetings featuring student performances, celebrations, and school spirit activities to foster a positive school culture.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Educational Field Trips and College Visits
      Organizes 3 to 4 field trips per grade annually and provides out-of-state overnight trips for 4th and 8th grade students, including college visits aligned with the academic program to broaden student experiences.
  • Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 1 activity
    • K-8 Academic Education Program
      Provides a comprehensive K-8 educational program focused on preparing students for admission to and success in competitive high schools and four-year colleges, including core academic instruction, social-emotional development, and hands-on learning.
  • Universal In-School Meal Service 1 activity
    • Nutrition Services
      Provides free, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack daily to all enrolled students.
  • Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
    • Prospective Family Engagement
      Hosts virtual information sessions and in-person school tours for prospective families, allowing visitors to explore school facilities and observe classroom instruction in elementary and middle school settings.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$10.80M
Contributions & grants$1.27M12%
Program service revenue$9.23M85%
Investment income$293K3%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$11.53M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$8.20M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.16M
Cash$7.16M
Investments$1.13M
Liabilities$623K
Net assets$8.53M
Liquid reserves8.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARSHA GADSDEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 45 $235K
MICHELLE COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 45 $170K
BRENDA SMITH MS PRINCIPAL 45 $156K
MARGARET HUNT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES K-8 45 $154K
MARGARET BROWN DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 45 $147K
DORIS GALARZA TEACHER 45 $142K
DESPINA TSAFOS TEACHER 45 $138K
JOHN A RUSSO TEACHER 45 $133K
board members · 9
  • ALLIE SWEENEY — TREASURER
  • ELDRIDGE GILBERT — CHAIR
  • KIM LUMPKIN — TRUSTEE
  • MELANIE DUKES — VICE CHAIR THRU 03/2025
  • MELISSA TORRES — TRUSTEE THRU 04/2025
  • SANIA KHAN — TRUSTEE
  • SOPHIE LIPPINCOTT FERRER — TRUSTEE
  • SPENCER ROBERTSON — TRUSTEE
  • TYLER PRIDE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 12

Who they work with

  • Binghamton University Partner — Institution of higher education attended by PAVE alumni
  • Brooklyn Technical High School Partner — Top-tier high school attended by PAVE graduates
  • Deerfield Academy Partner — Top-tier high school attended by PAVE graduates
  • Department of Education’s Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) Government — Provides transportation for eligible PAVE students via yellow school bus or public transportation.
  • Duke University Partner — Institution of higher education attended by PAVE alumni
  • ENL team Partner — Collaborates with classroom teachers to provide English language development and academic instruction for English Language Learners
  • Michelle Cook Partner — Elementary School Principal who shares insights about the school community and student success.
  • NY Next Gen Standards Government — Aligns curriculum with NY Next Gen Standards.
  • PAVE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Network — Member of the PAVE Schools network
  • Stuyvesant High School Partner — Top-tier high school attended by PAVE graduates
  • University of Pennsylvania Partner — Institution of higher education attended by PAVE alumni
  • community organizations Partner — Collaborates with community organizations to support a unified, nurturing learning environment.
strategies · 4

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.

  • College and Career Readiness Through Critical Engagement
    methodology: college_and_career_readiness
    By developing critical thinking, collaboration, and work ethic through rigorous and project-based learning, we prepare students for success in college and leadership, because real-world academic engagement builds durable skills and agency.
  • High Expectations with Targeted Support
    methodology: high-expectations with support
    By setting no-limits expectations and pairing them with individualized academic and emotional support, we produce student excellence, because belief in student potential combined with structured scaffolding enables all learners to achieve at high levels.
  • Holistic Student Development
    methodology: holistic_student_development
    By integrating rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, and real-world experiences, we produce well-rounded student growth and leadership, because addressing the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, and socially—creates stronger foundations for long-term success.
  • Love-Centered, Equity-Based Environment
    methodology: love-centered equity
    By grounding school culture in love-centered practices and a commitment to justice, we produce inclusive, empowering environments, because students thrive academically and socially when they feel seen, valued, and affirmed in their identities.