irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $951KTHE PARK SCHOOL OFFERS A 6-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM MANAGED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SWIMMING, ATHLETICS, NATURE STUDIES, MUSIC, CRAFTS, TECHNOLOGY, AND DRAMA. CAMPERS ARE PROVIDED WITH A NUTRITIOUS LUNCH AND SNACKS. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, EARLY EDUCATION THROUGH GRADE 8.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Immersion Program
Biannual, co-curricular academic class for grades 7–12 involving year-long study culminating in a week-long experiential trip, including domestic and international excursions such as Costa Rica, Denmark, Yellowstone, and the Florida Everglades.
Park Summer Camp
Popular day camp for children from early education through grade 8, offering activities in swimming, athletics, nature studies, music, crafts, technology, and drama, with nutritious meals provided.
Performing Arts Program
Comprehensive program in drama and music offering theater productions, choir, instrumental ensembles, and performance opportunities across all grade levels, fostering creativity and confidence.
Visual Arts Program
Program spanning drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and woodworking, with field trips to local galleries and cross-disciplinary arts events.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
-
Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
- Conducts strategic planning with community inputEngages the school community in strategic planning through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, collecting feedback from nearly 400 members to inform institutional direction.
-
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Delivers experiential science education on a 34-acre natural campusProvides students with hands-on science learning opportunities using a 34-acre campus featuring a pond, stream, waterfall, marsh, and nature trails; includes activities such as bird identification, turtle tracking, and water quality studies.
-
-
Public School Support Fundraising 1 activity
- Funds school activities and operations through fundraisingRaises funds to support school activities and other institutional needs, contributing to the well-being of The Park School of Buffalo.
-
-
Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Implements the Immersion experiential learning programOffers a year-long, co-curricular academic program culminating in a week-long experiential learning trip, with recent programs in the Florida Everglades, Costa Rica, Yellowstone National Park, Denmark, New York City, and the Dominican Republic focusing on ecosystem study, biodiversity, cultural exchange, art, and sustainability.
-
-
Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Operates a summer day program for students through grade 8Runs a 6-week summer program offering swimming, athletics, nature studies, music, crafts, technology, and drama, led by certified teachers and qualified instructors, and includes provision of nutritious meals and snacks.
-
-
Campus Auxiliary Services Management 1 activity
- Provides meals to students and staff on campusOperates a permanent on-campus food service that provides meals to students and staff.
-
-
Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Provides progressive education from PreK through grade 12Offers a comprehensive academic program emphasizing college preparation, real-life experiences, and hands-on learning for students from PreK through grade 12.
-
-
Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Provides visual and performing arts education and programmingOffers instruction in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, woodworking, and mixed media; supports student composition and musical creation; produces plays, musicals, and theater performances; and hosts annual events including fall plays, winter shows, and spring musicals.
-
-
Campus Construction and Renovation Projects 1 activity
- Undertakes campus development and infrastructure projectsConstructs and renovates facilities including a 19,000-square-foot performing arts center with art gallery and media arts center, installs security systems, builds a tennis complex, and carries out campus beautification and garden projects as part of a multi-phase strategic plan.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Integrates daily physical activity into student schedulesHas incorporated daily exercise for all students since 1912 through gym classes, recess, outdoor breaks, and interscholastic sports.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$9.13M
Contributions & grants$1.29M14%
Program service revenue$7.52M82%
Investment income$117K1%
Other revenue$212K
expenses
Total expenses$9.36M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$4.88M
Grants paid out$2.15M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$12.06M
Cash$1.84M
Investments$0
Liabilities$6.95M
Net assets$5.11M
Liquid reserves2.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +10.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEITH FROME | PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL | 40 | $156K |
| LISA CONRAD | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $132K |
board members · 20
- BRENDA FELDSTEIN — VICE PRESIDENT
- CHRISTIE WITT BERARDI — SECRETARY
- CRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ-DABNEY — TRUSTEE
- DAVID TAYLOR — TRUSTEE
- GIL DICKOFF — TREASURER
- GUY GUNZBERG — TRUSTEE
- HARRY LIPSITZ — TRUSTEE
- JASON BIRD — TRUSTEE
- JOE BURWICK — TRUSTEE
- JUDITH WARREN LITTLE — TRUSTEE
- KENNETH PETERSON — TRUSTEE
- KEVIN KEARNEY — TRUSTEE
- LILLIE WILEY-UPSHAW — TRUSTEE
- MACARENA FRITZ-CEFARATTI — FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE
- MADELINE CONNORS — TRUSTEE
- MARK KARRER — PRESIDENT
- MICHAEL ZORN — TRUSTEE
- SHERYL DAVIES — VICE PRESIDENT
- SPENCER PATTERSON — TRUSTEE
- TODD LEVIN — TRUSTEE
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- AKG Partner — Site for student field trips to support visual arts education.
- Burchfield-Penny Art Gallery Partner — Site for student field trips to support visual arts education.
- Horace Mann School at Columbia University Partner — Hired Mary Hammett Lewis, a teacher at the school, to lead The Park School of Buffalo.
- Mobile Museum of Tolerance Partner — Hosted a three-day visit from the Mobile Museum of Tolerance for student education on historical and contemporary issues related to hate and social justice.
- Park Parent Association Network — Parent-led organization that supports the school's philosophy, programs, and activities through engagement and fundraising.
- Personal Touch Partner — Contracted meal provider for students and staff at The Park School of Buffalo.
- The Park School of Buffalo Foundation Government — Executive Director of The Park School of Buffalo Foundation is leading outreach and engagement for the comprehensive campaign.
strategies · 3
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 'Learning by Doing'methodology: experiential_learningBy engaging students in direct experience, reflection, and real-world application—such as immersive trips and integration with the natural environment—the school deepens understanding and retention, because hands-on engagement fosters cognitive, emotional, and social growth more effectively than passive instruction.
- Individually Focused, Customized Instructionmethodology: individualized_learningBy tailoring instruction to individual learning styles, strengths, and challenges—enabled by small class sizes and flexible programming—the school enhances student growth and engagement, because personalized learning addresses the whole child and accommodates diverse needs more effectively than standardized approaches.
- Whole-Child, Holistic Education Modelmethodology: whole_child_educationBy integrating physical, creative, emotional, and academic development—through daily physical activity, arts integration, and independence from public mandates—the school supports long-term student well-being and growth, because holistic development fosters resilience, confidence, and deeper learning.