named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Classical Humanities Program
Four-year integrated curriculum in history, literature, philosophy, and theology aligned chronologically from ancient to modern times, taught using the Socratic Method.
Fine Arts Program
Four-year program in music, art, and drama including choir performance, studio art, art history, and annual theatrical productions tied to historical periods.
House System
Character formation program with four houses (Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine, Chrysostom) fostering leadership, community, and virtue through student prefects and faculty advisors.
Math & Science Program
Sequential study of Euclidean geometry, algebra, calculus, and sciences including astronomy, biology, chemistry, and physics, emphasizing wonder and logical reasoning.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Classical Christian K–12 Education 1 activity
- Deliver classical liberal arts education integrated with Catholic faithProvides a comprehensive academic program in the classical liberal arts tradition that integrates Catholic theology and moral formation across all disciplines, aiming to develop students' intellectual and moral character. The curriculum includes daily prayer, study of the Bible and Catechism, and a focus on the Incarnation as central to human history.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Deliver comprehensive fine arts and performance educationRequires all students to study drawing, painting, choral singing, theater, public speaking, and debate. Students participate in grade-level and all-school choirs performing at Masses, concerts, and The Chesterton Gala, and engage in a drama sequence including comedy, drama, and Shakespeare across grades 10–12. Students also serve as organists and accompanists for liturgical and school events.
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College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
- Implement structured academic curriculum in humanities, sciences, and languagesOffers a four-year sequence in history covering ancient civilizations through modern revolutions, a four-year science curriculum progressing from Astronomy to Physics, and a language program requiring two years of Latin followed by options for Latin III, Spanish, or Italian. Mathematics instruction spans from Euclidean geometry to AP Calculus AB and BC.
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- Offer admissions outreach and inclusive enrollment practicesHosts Open House events, provides campus tours, and offers shadow days for prospective students to experience school culture. The school admits students of any race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin and administers programs without discrimination, offering financial aid to families with demonstrated need.
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High School Dual Enrollment Programs 1 activity
- Provide college-level coursework and credit-bearing remote coursesEnables juniors and seniors to enroll in college-level courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville and take a remote, asynchronous microeconomics course that offers transferable college credit.
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Homeschool Support Services 1 activity
- Provide supplemental education for homeschooling studentsOffers à la carte course enrollment for homeschooling freshmen and sophomores to supplement their home education with select school courses.
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Support student life through athletics, clubs, and House systemOffers student participation in athletics through a partnership with Bishop Kearney High School and supports extracurricular engagement via clubs and a House system with four Houses—Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine, and Chrysostom—each led by student prefects and supported by faculty and parent liaisons.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Facilitate spiritual formation through Mass, sacraments, and prayerHolds daily Mass for students, provides frequent opportunities for confession and prayer, and begins each class with prayer. The school conducts the Liturgy of the Hours daily and displays sacred art and crucifixes in classrooms to support a faith-filled environment.
- Organize retreats, pilgrimages, and liturgical-year-themed activitiesHosts regular student retreats at Notre Dame Retreat House, organizes annual pilgrimages including participation in the March for Life in Washington D.C., and offers international pilgrimages to Rome and Assisi for upperclassmen. These include visits to historic churches, relics of saints, and opportunities to sing for the Holy Father. Liturgical-year-themed activities are integrated into school life.
- Require faculty and staff adherence to Catholic teaching and safe environment standardsAll faculty and staff are required to be faithful Catholics who take an annual Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium at the Mass of the Holy Spirit and complete Safe Environment training to ensure alignment with Catholic doctrine and student safety.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$454K
Contributions & grants$107K24%
Program service revenue$267K59%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$77K
expenses
Total expenses$471K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$352K
Grants paid out$6K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$184K
Cash$176K
Investments$0
Liabilities$480
Net assets$183K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +3.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JILL FARRELL | BOARD MEMBER | 40 | $36K |
| DR FERNANDO ONTIVEROS | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $4K |
board members · 8
- CARA MCLAUGHLIN — Treasurer
- DR MARY RITA MURPHY — CHAIR
- JARED COLLINS — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFFREY REMBOLD — VICE CHAIR
- LYNNE CLEVELAND — Secretary
- MATTHEW MERITT — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL HAYES — BOARD MEMBER
- SCOTT WHITCOMB — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Ave Maria University Partner — Academic partner offering scholarships, visit days, and college credit opportunities for Chesterton Academy students.
- Benedictine College Partner — Academic partner offering visit days, course credit transfer, and youth conference access for Chesterton Academy students.
- Bishop Kearney HS Partner — Partner school enabling Chesterton Academy students to participate in athletic teams.
- Chesterton Academies Network — Part of a national network of Chesterton Academies sharing educational and spiritual formation models.
- Chesterton Schools Network Network — Member of the Chesterton Schools Network, a global network of 65 classical high schools following the same model and curriculum.
- Chesterton Schools Network Network — Member of the Chesterton Schools Network, participating in shared academic initiatives and events.
- Christ the King Partner — Hosts the Chesterton Academy of Rochester on its campus
- Christendom College Partner — Academic partner offering scholarships and discounted program access for Chesterton Academy students.
- Franciscan University Partner — Academic partner providing college credit for Chesterton Academy curriculum through the Franciscan Advantage Program.
- Franciscan University of Steubenville Partner — Partners to offer concurrent college-level enrollment for Juniors and Seniors.
- Notre Dame Retreat House Partner — Hosts student retreats for Chesterton Academy in Canandaigua, NY.
- St. Irenaeus Center Partner — Faculty members participate in Bible studies and discussion groups at the St. Irenaeus Center.
- office@chestertonacademyofrochester.org Partner — Primary contact email for admissions and financial aid inquiries
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.
- Classical Liberal Arts Education Integrated with Catholic Faithmethodology: classical_education_catholic_integrationBy integrating a classical liberal arts curriculum with Catholic doctrine and daily spiritual practice, the school fosters intellectual and moral formation because it grounds learning in eternal Truth and virtue, teaching students how to think rather than what to think.
- Early College Credit as Academic Preparationmethodology: early_college_credit_preparationBy enabling high school students to earn transferable college credits through remote, asynchronous coursework, the school strengthens college readiness because students gain early exposure to rigorous academic expectations and self-directed learning skills.
- Integrated Humanities Using Socratic Methodmethodology: integrated_humanities_socraticBy braiding history, literature, philosophy, languages, and theology into a unified curriculum and teaching through Socratic dialogue, the school develops critical thinking and deep understanding because students learn to engage ideas contextually and defend reasoned judgments through dialogue.
- Transitional Enrollment Pathway for Homeschool Familiesmethodology: transitional_enrollment_pathwayBy offering part-time enrollment to homeschool students in early high school years, the school supports a gradual transition to full-time classical education because it lowers barriers to entry and allows families to acclimate to the school’s faith and academic culture.
- Virtue-Based Character Formation Through Structured Community and Pedagogymethodology: virtue_based_character_formationBy embedding character formation in academic, extracurricular, and communal structures—such as the House system and Socratic dialogue—the school cultivates leadership and moral reasoning because students internalize virtues through consistent modeling, practice, and reflection.