irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $167KCOLLEGE COUNSELING - COLLEGE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE.
- #2 $15KACADEMIC - POPULAR AFTER SCHOOL ELECTIVE PROGRAMS AND PURCHASE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
After-School Elective Programs
Offers after-school science, math, and technology electives to enhance student learning and engagement in STEM fields.
College Counseling Program
Provides comprehensive post-secondary counseling including college advising, essay coaching, financial aid guidance, and college readiness seminars for juniors and seniors.
Columbia University Partnership Programs
Provides eligible students access to Columbia University courses, internships, and the Double Discovery Center program through a formal partnership.
Engineering and Technology Curriculum
Seven-year vertically aligned engineering program emphasizing problem-solving, teamwork, and conceptual development across grades 6–12.
Philosophy for Thinking Program
Unique program integrating philosophy, ethics, and critical thinking into the curriculum to develop intellectual and moral reasoning skills.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Structured Critical Thinking Curriculum 1 activity
- Delivers critical thinking and ethics education through Philosophy for ThinkingImplements a unique Philosophy for Thinking program designed to build students' critical thinking, argumentation, inquiry, and ethical decision-making skills.
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STEM Competition and Robotics Programs 1 activity
- Facilitates research and service learning in STEM fieldsOffers students research and service learning opportunities in science, math, and engineering, including partnerships with Columbia University and other local institutions.
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Public School Support Fundraising 1 activity
- Funds operations and programs of Columbia Secondary SchoolSupports Columbia Secondary School through fundraising and community engagement initiatives to enhance educational programs and resources.
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- Hosts admissions outreach and community engagement eventsConducts open houses for prospective families and facilitates in-person sales of gently used uniforms through PTA meetings to support school community needs.
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Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Operates a public secondary school for grades 6–12Operates a public school serving students in grades 6 through 12, offering a comprehensive academic curriculum and structured admissions processes for 6th and 9th grade applicants.
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Student Support and Academic Services 1 activity
- Operates student guidance and counseling centerRuns a guidance center that serves both middle school and high school students, providing academic and personal support services.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Provides college counseling and post-secondary readiness programsOffers comprehensive post-secondary counseling including 1:1 advising, college application support, essay and interview coaching, College Readiness seminars, and career exposure programs such as college fairs and career day.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Provides student support services and peer mentoringOperates a peer mentor program pairing high school and middle school students, offers drop-in tutoring led by high-achieving upperclassmen, and organizes community-building events led by students.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Supports academic and engineering enrichment programsProvides after-school electives and advanced academic opportunities in science, math, and engineering, including the purchase of specialized equipment and implementation of a seven-year engineering program focused on problem-solving and teamwork.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Implements writing and communication skills curriculumOffers a writing-intensive curriculum that develops public speaking, multimedia communication, and effective writing skills across subject areas.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$582K
Contributions & grants$563K97%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$18K
expenses
Total expenses$504K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$424K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$201K
Cash$127K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$196K
Liquid reserves3.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -12.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 15
- CHRISTINE KOVICH — DIRECTOR
- COLETTE YOUNG — PRESIDENT
- DAVE THOM — DIRECTOR
- DAVID LURVEY — DIRECTOR
- DESIREE RODRIGUEZ — DIRECTOR
- JOANN GARCIA — TREASURER
- JULIA MANNES — DIRECTOR
- KIAN TAJBAKHSH — DIRECTOR
- KIT MCARTHUR — DIRECTOR
- LEANNE GONZALEZ-SINGER — DIRECTOR
- MARK KERMAN — DIRECTOR
- MIRIAM NIGHTENGALE — SECRETARY
- NATHANIEL POLISH — DIRECTOR
- NICHOLE FROCHEUR-LIDAKIS — DIRECTOR
- NYDIA PRISHKER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR MATH, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Partner — Primary beneficiary of programs; organization exists to enhance educational experience at this school.
- Columbia Secondary School Partner — Primary educational institution supported by Friends of CSS.
- Columbia University Partner — Co-founding partner providing academic and institutional support for the school's math, science, and engineering program.
- Columbia University Partner — Collaborates with the school to provide access to college courses, internships, job opportunities, and program admission preferences for students.
- Columbia University Partner — Partners with Columbia University to support the school's academic and instructional programs.
- Columbia University Partner — Partners with Columbia University to support the school's academic programming and mission.
- Columbia University Partner — Provides academic and cultural opportunities for students, including access to advanced coursework
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Co-founding partner in the establishment and operation of Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science, and Engineering.
- PTA Partner — Collaborates on school events such as the School Spirit Wear Sale
- Peligro Sports Partner — Local vendor used by families to affix the CSS emblem on clothing items; listed as a recommended service provider by the organization.
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.
- Interdisciplinary STEM Education with Humanities Integrationmethodology: interdisciplinary_stemBy integrating philosophy, art, ethics, and theoretical decision-making with applied STEM learning, we produce deeper critical thinking and holistic understanding because combining humanistic inquiry with technical rigor fosters reflective, well-rounded problem solvers.
- Socratic and Experiential Pedagogy for Deep Understandingmethodology: socratic_experiential_learningBy using Socratic methods and experiential learning—including discussion, debate, research, internships, and real-world problem solving—we produce authentic engagement and applied knowledge because inquiry-based and hands-on experiences promote deeper cognitive processing and real-world relevance.
- Student-Centered College Counseling and Post-Secondary Planningmethodology: student_centered_counselingBy structuring college counseling as a student-driven process, we produce greater student agency and ownership of post-secondary pathways because supportive guidance—rather than top-down direction—fosters responsibility, self-efficacy, and alignment with individual goals.
- University-School-Community Partnership Modelmethodology: university_public_school_partnershipBy integrating a research university, public school system, and local community in a collaborative partnership, we produce enhanced educational opportunities and resources because shared expertise, infrastructure, and investment elevate program quality and student access.
- Vertically Aligned, Long-Term Curriculum for Sustained Cognitive Developmentmethodology: long_term_curriculum_alignmentBy implementing a seven-year sequential and vertically aligned curriculum that revisits core concepts and relationships over time, we produce stronger academic mastery and continuity because sustained developmental exposure reinforces deep learning and long-term retention.