named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Before School Program
Supervised care and activities for children before the regular school day, led by designated staff
Nido Program (Walnut Room)
Infant and toddler program for children from infancy to age 3, focusing on early development in a Montessori environment
Primary & Kindergarten Program (Elm, Pine, Maple Rooms)
Multi-aged classrooms for children ages 3 to 6, offering comprehensive Montessori curriculum in practical life, sensorial, language, math, and cultural studies
Primary Afterschool Program
After-school care and enrichment for primary-level students, providing a continuation of Montessori principles in an extended-day setting
Toddler Program (Hickory, Oak, Willow Rooms)
Classrooms for children ages 1.5 to 3 years, promoting independence, language development, and motor skills through Montessori methods
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Montessori Education Programs 2 activities
- Deliver Montessori-based academic curriculum for primary studentsProvides a child-directed Montessori curriculum taught by certified or training-in-progress Montessori teachers, covering art, sensorial, language, math/science, practical life, and gross motor activities, with daily routines supporting holistic cognitive, physical, and emotional development for over 100 children annually.
- Provide Montessori education for infants and toddlersOperates infant and toddler programs in mixed-age Montessori environments for children aged 3 to 17 months and older toddlers, offering rolling enrollment year-round with support for developmental milestones including toilet learning, gross motor development, and transition to primary classrooms.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Deliver specialized art instruction for primary studentsOffers an art program for third-year Primary students meeting twice weekly to explore various materials, media, artists, and art styles as part of the Montessori curriculum.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Facilitate environmental and nutritional education through outdoor learning spacesMaintains an Edible Forest Garden and forest trail system where children grow, harvest, and consume fresh produce, engage with local ecosystems, and use outdoor classrooms for academic and practical skill development such as planting, hammering, and wheelbarrow use.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Offer summer camp program for young childrenProvides summer camp programming for children ages 3–4 from July to August, featuring thematic learning in areas such as gardening, birds, and transportation, with a daily routine including circle time, work periods, outdoor play, and rest.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Provide age-appropriate indoor and outdoor play environmentsOffers dedicated indoor and outdoor play spaces equipped with climbing structures, swings, sandboxes, grassy fields, wooded areas, sledding hills, and indoor gym equipment used during inclement weather to support gross motor development and active play.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Support staff professional development in Montessori methods and safetyRequires all staff to complete at least 15 hours of annual professional development, including training in Montessori methods, CPR, and First Aid, to maintain high-quality early childhood education standards.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.33M
Contributions & grants$3K0%
Program service revenue$1.30M98%
Investment income$21K2%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$1.56M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.16M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.65M
Cash$573K
Investments$0
Liabilities$897K
Net assets$757K
Liquid reserves4.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAM WEATHERBY | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $65K |
| WALAA MAHAREM-HORAN | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR (FORMER) | 40 | $62K |
| TARA CONKLIN | STAFF REP TO BOARD | 40 | $44K |
board members · 5
- ALISON GELSLEICHTER — OFFICER
- ANDY ADAMS — TREASURER
- JENNIFER WALSH — SECRETARY
- MATT MUSKIN — PRESIDENT
- SAMANTHA ELEBIARY — VICE-PRESIDENT
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- American Montessori Society Network — Lead teachers are Montessori certified or in training through AMS.
- American Montessori Society Partner — Staff attend the American Montessori Society Conference for professional development.
- American Ornithological Society Partner — Jennifer Walsh-Emond served as an elected councilor, contributing to budget and strategic planning decisions.
- Association Montessori International Network — Lead teachers are Montessori certified or in training through AMI.
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Partner — Jennifer Walsh-Emond is a research associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, where she integrates science, education, and public engagement.
- Indeed Partner — Partners with Indeed to post job listings for open positions.
- Ithaca College Partner — Sam Elebiary has held multiple roles at Ithaca College since 2017, including Residence Director, BOLD Program Director, and Associate Director of Career Engagement and Education.
- Ithaca Public Education Initiative Partner — Sam has served on the grants committee of IPEI for five years and joined their board in September 2023.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children Partner — Staff attend the NAEYC Conference for professional development.
- Sarah & Spencer Partner — Parents of twin boys who participated in the Nido program and provided a testimonial about their children's transition to the toddler classroom.
- enrollment@ithacamontessori.org Partner — Email contact point for admissions inquiries and application submission
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 and Nature-Based Learningmethodology: experiential_learningBy grounding the curriculum in real-life and immersive interactions with the natural environment, we deepen engagement and understanding, because sensory-rich, concrete experiences make abstract concepts tangible and support cognitive, emotional, and physical development in an integrated way.
- Mixed-Age Classrooms as a Developmental Scaffoldmethodology: mixed_age_learningBy placing children in multi-aged classrooms, we enable younger students to learn through observation and imitation of older peers while older students reinforce their learning through leadership and modeling, because this dynamic builds social respect, concentration, and self-regulation in a way single-age settings cannot.
- Montessori-Based, Child-Centered Learningmethodology: montessori_educationBy implementing Montessori principles—such as multi-aged classrooms, hands-on materials, and individualized learning paths—we foster independence, self-discipline, and holistic development, because child-led exploration in a prepared environment aligns with natural developmental rhythms and promotes intrinsic motivation.
- Practical Life Curriculum for Holistic Developmentmethodology: practical_life_educationBy integrating practical life activities—such as pouring, cleaning, and furniture management—we build physical coordination, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility, because repetitive, real-world tasks ground learning in bodily experience and foster independence critical to later academic and personal success.
- Prepared Environment Supporting Independencemethodology: prepared_environmentBy designing a sensory-stimulating, orderly, and evolving physical environment tailored to developmental stages, we support autonomy and learning, because children engage more deeply and develop coordination and confidence when materials and spaces are purposefully structured for self-directed activity.