named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Junior Teaching Assistant (JTA) Program
Provides high school and college students with leadership and teaching experience by assisting in classes, grading, and organizing events; serves as a pipeline for future instructors
Olympiads and Competitions Preparation
Prepares and supports students in national and international competitions including AMC, AIME, F=ma, PhysicsBowl, Math Kangaroo, and French language contests
Weekend Enrichment Program
Offers advanced courses in mathematics, sciences, languages, and art for pre-K to 12th-grade students, with instruction in-person at Stony Brook University and online via Zoom
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Mathematics Curriculum Implementation and Enrichment 1 activity
- Delivering specialized academic instruction in mathematics and languageOffers advanced coursework in mathematics for children as young as age 3, including topics such as symmetry, negative numbers, and set theory, using problem-solving methods. Provides Russian language instruction focused on fluency in reading, writing, and speaking, while fostering cultural appreciation of Russian literature; also offers Advanced English, French, and Spanish courses.
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Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
- Maintaining instructional staffing and course delivery infrastructureEmploys a teaching staff of over 40 instructors and 20 teaching assistants to deliver more than 100 classes annually across multiple subjects. Maintains small, organized classes with dedicated communication between instructors and parents via email and phone, and posts homework assignments online.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Operating a weekend enrichment program for PreK-12 studentsProvides weekly in-person and online academic enrichment classes on Sundays for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, enrolling over 450 students annually. The program covers subjects including mathematics, science, languages (French, Spanish, Russian), art, and computer science, with instruction tailored to individual student levels.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Supporting student participation in national academic competitionsPrepares and supports students for national and international academic competitions in mathematics, physics, and related fields. Students have achieved top rankings in MAA math competitions (including Distinguished Honor Roll, top 1%), Math Kangaroo (top 30% and higher), F=ma (annually since 2019), and PhysicsBowl (annually since 2016).
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operating a Junior Teaching Assistant ProgramRuns a structured Junior TA Program that trains and employs over 15 student assistants annually to support classroom instruction, grade homework, organize math games and competitions, and assist with SchoolNova events such as placement tests, festivals, and social gatherings. Accepts applications for the 2026–27 school year.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$660K
Contributions & grants$45K7%
Program service revenue$566K86%
Investment income$49K7%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$557K
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$351K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.07M
Cash$140K
Investments$822K
Liabilities$142K
Net assets$933K
Liquid reserves20.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARINA POLONSKAIA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $99K |
board members · 8
- ABHINAV KUMAR — DIRECTOR
- ALEX DOBOLI — DIRECTOR
- ANDREEA DRAGUT — VICE PRESIDENT
- CHRISTI KIM — DIRECTOR
- DORENE PRICE — SECRETARY
- MARIA NIDA — PRESIDENT
- QIONG WU — TREASURER
- SAYAN CHAKRABORTI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Partner — Administers the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards, which SchoolNova hosts for English language recognition
- American Association of Physics Teachers Partner — Coordinates the F=ma and PhysicsBowl physics competitions in collaboration with SchoolNova
- American Association of Teachers of French Partner — Sponsors the FLES and Le Grand Concours French language competitions hosted by SchoolNova
- American Institute of Physics Partner — Co-administers the F=ma competition with SchoolNova to select the U.S. team for the International Physics Olympiad
- Association of Teachers of French Partner — Organizes the AATF National Francophone Trivia contest in which SchoolNova participates
- Mathematical Association of America Partner — Administers AMC 10/12, AMC 8, and AIME competitions in partnership with SchoolNova
- Renaissance Technology Partner — Employer of multiple parents and a teacher affiliated with the SchoolNova program; families and staff from this organization participate in and support the school.
- Stony Brook Partner — Hosts the SchoolNova program at Stony Brook, indicating a location-based partnership or affiliation.
- Stony Brook University Partner — Hosts in-person classes on its campus every Sunday.
- Stony Brook University Partner — Hosts the weekend enrichment program on its campus.
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.
- Ability-Based Academic Placement to Maximize Challenge and Equitymethodology: ability-based_placementBy placing students based on demonstrated ability rather than age or grade level, we ensure appropriately challenging coursework, because matching academic rigor to skill level promotes mastery, prevents disengagement, and supports equitable access to advanced learning.
- Expert Instructor Model with Specialized Teachingmethodology: expert-instructor_modelBy employing instructors with advanced academic degrees to teach specialized subjects in small classes, we produce high-level college preparatory outcomes, because subject-matter expertise combined with personalized instruction enables deep conceptual mastery and academic aspiration.
- Interdisciplinary and Conceptual Learning with Play-Based Engagementmethodology: interdisciplinary_learningBy integrating STEM, languages, and the arts in a playful, problem-based format — especially for young learners — we foster deeper academic engagement and advanced conceptual understanding, because combining curiosity-driven exploration with rigorous content ignites intrinsic motivation and long-term interest.
- Open Access and Community Equity through Competition Participationmethodology: community_open_accessBy offering free and open access to math and physics competitions regardless of enrollment status, we broaden educational equity and participation, because removing institutional barriers allows all motivated learners to engage in enriching academic challenges.
- Peer-Assisted and Intergenerational Learning Modelmethodology: peer-assisted_learningBy engaging older students as teaching assistants, we enhance instructional support and academic motivation, because near-peer mentorship fosters relatable role models, strengthens community, and deepens subject-matter passion across age groups.