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HOPE HALL

ROCHESTER, NY · EIN 161463706 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · hopehall.org
revenue
$7.9M
expenses
$6.8M
net assets
$9.4M
employees
39
volunteers
100
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

TO EDUCATE VIA A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH WHEREBY STRATEGIES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FRUSTRATION AND FAILURE IN TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SETTINGS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Private school in Rochester, NY serving students in grades 3–12 who have struggled in traditional classroom settings. Uses the proprietary Dolce Method for Learning Mastery© to deliver the New York State curriculum through a multi-sensory, holistic approach that supports academic, social, and emotional development. Founded in 1994 and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Clubs and After-School Activities
Recreational and skill-building clubs such as Art Club, Blackhawk Chorus, and Run Club that vary annually based on student interest.
Dolce Method for Learning Mastery©
Proprietary, multi-sensory instructional approach teaching the full New York State curriculum to students with ADD, ADHD, auditory processing delays, mild anxiety, or low-average IQ who have experienced academic frustration.
Intramural Sports Program
After-school sports including basketball, volleyball, soccer, flag football, and pickleball to promote fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship for students in grades 3–12.
School Wellness Program
Comprehensive initiative promoting nutrition education, physical activity, and healthy eating habits, including daily recess, Run Club, and healthy food choices at all school events.
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Career and Technical Education Programs 1 activity
    • Delivers woodworking education as part of high school curriculum
      Requires high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to complete credit-bearing woodworking classes that teach production skills, machinery use, applied math, teamwork, and workplace readiness. The program is integrated into the graduation requirements and supports student development through hands-on learning.
  • Student and Member Conduct Policies 1 activity
    • Enforces student dress code with behavioral incentives and fundraising components
      Implements a student-friendly dress code to support academic focus and moral development. Enforces compliance through corrections and disciplinary actions, including in-school suspension for repeated violations. Offers dress down days for a fee (supporting fundraising) and maintains a Red List that restricts privileges until positive behavior is demonstrated.
  • Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Facilitates student and family engagement through arts, performances, and school events
      Hosts an after-school art club for middle and high school students, a year-round chorus program with twice-weekly rehearsals and public performances, and student-versus-faculty sports games at high school pep rallies to build community and school spirit.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Hosts annual woodworking sale featuring handcrafted items
      Organizes an annual woodworking sale showcasing hundreds of handcrafted items made by staff and volunteers, promoting community engagement and showcasing program outcomes.
  • Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
    • Implements structured communication and family engagement systems
      Distributes a weekly communication folder every Monday containing grades, student work samples, school updates, newsletters, lunch menus, and calendars. Requires parents to sign and return the folder by Tuesday. Also provides an annual school calendar with key dates including holidays, recesses, and parent-teacher conferences.
  • Back-to-School Supply Distribution 1 activity
    • Manages school supply donations through Amazon wishlist
      Operates an Amazon wishlist to enable community members to donate school supplies and educational resources to support student needs.
  • School and School-Community Events 1 activity
    • Organizes annual Walk For Hope fundraiser
      Hosts an annual Walk For Hope event that engages students, families, and staff in a community-wide fundraising effort to support the school’s mission and programs.
  • Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
    • Provides non-traditional education for students in grades 3–12 experiencing academic failure
      Operates Hope Hall School, serving approximately 150 students in grades 3–12 from the Greater Rochester Area who have struggled in traditional classroom settings. Uses a nurturing, creative learning environment and the proprietary Dolce Method for Learning Mastery© to reverse academic failure and maintain a 100% graduation rate, with graduates prepared for college, workforce, or post-secondary training.
  • Interscholastic and Inclusive School Sports Programs 1 activity
    • Provides structured after-school intramural sports programs
      Offers inclusive after-school intramural sports programs for students in grades 3–12, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, and bounce ball, with seasonal programming and open gym sessions. These programs extend the Physical Education curriculum and promote physical activity, teamwork, and school spirit.
  • Child & Youth Meal Programs 1 activity
    • Supports student wellness and physical activity through recess, meals, and fitness programs
      Provides daily 20-minute outdoor recess for elementary and middle school students (weather permitting), free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income, and wellness promotion through initiatives like a “healthy choices” bulletin board. Also offers a Run Club and prepares students for 5K races through a competitive run program.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$7.88M
Contributions & grants$4.83M61%
Program service revenue$2.92M37%
Investment income$157K2%
Other revenue$-18K
expenses
Total expenses$6.75M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$2.74M
Grants paid out$2.64M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$10.23M
Cash$525K
Investments$1.57M
Liabilities$823K
Net assets$9.40M
Liquid reserves3.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +58.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
ALICIA HART CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - THRU 5/25 70 $133K
SR DIANA DOLCE SSJ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 65 $97K
board members · 13
  • ANNE MOSS — BOARD MEMBER
  • ARDIS MAGIONE-LINDLEY — BOARD MEMBER
  • BETTY TUDISCO — BOARD MEMBER
  • COLIN BRUCKEL — BOARD MEMBER
  • CRAIG HOUCK — SECRETARY
  • DONNA MURANO — BOARD MEMBER
  • DOUGLAS PARKER — CHAIRPERSON
  • JODI DAVIES — TREASURER
  • LEANN DIMARZO — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARCIA SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARCY BUSH — BOARD MEMBER
  • RANDY TRAUGOTT — VICE CHAIRPERSON
  • ROBERT W AUGUST — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • Amazon Partner — Partners with Amazon to host a school wishlist for donor contributions.
  • Greater Rochester Area school districts Partner — Serves students referred from public school districts across the Greater Rochester Area.
  • Mr. Aydin Ture Partner — Hosts after-school art club for middle and high school students
  • Mr. Droegmoeller Partner — Coach for multiple sports programs including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and bounce ball
  • Mr. Steve House Partner — Director of Blackhawk Chorus, leading year-round music program
  • Mr. Zehr Partner — Coach for multiple sports programs including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and bounce ball
  • Mrs. Droegmoeller Partner — Coach for run club and other sports programs
  • Mrs. Trotta Partner — Coach for run club
  • Northstar Christian Partner — Cooperated with Hope Hall in a baseball program that won Section V, Class D2.
  • PTSO Partner — Parent-Teacher-Support Organization that communicates with families through the weekly folder.
  • PTSO Partner — Parent-Teacher-Support Organization that sends communications through the weekly folder system.
  • School Nutrition Association Partner — Adopts the “Choose Sensibly Guidelines” developed by the School Nutrition Association to guide healthy snack offerings.
  • Sister Diana Dolce, S.S.J. Partner — Founder and Executive Director of Hope Hall School and creator of the Dolce Method for Learning Mastery©.
  • Sisters of St. Joseph Partner — Sister Diana Dolce, founder of Hope Hall, began her journey as an educator with the Sisters of St. Joseph.
  • USDA Government — Follows USDA guidelines for school wellness policy and child nutrition program standards.
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.

  • Collaborative Learning Community Model
    methodology: collaborative_learning_model
    By integrating faculty, staff, and families as collaborative team members in a learning community, the organization supports student success, because shared responsibility and partnership enhance student support systems and continuity of care.
  • Dolce Method for Learning Mastery
    methodology: Dolce Method for Learning Mastery
    By using the Dolce Method—a structured, non-traditional educational approach—the organization helps students with learning challenges achieve mastery and become lifelong learners, because its design specifically responds to the needs of students who have struggled in traditional settings.
  • Holistic, Whole-Child Development Approach
    methodology: holistic_learning
    By applying a holistic educational approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit, the organization fosters lifelong learning and student mastery, because integrating academic, social, ethical, and physical development addresses the full spectrum of student needs.
  • Inclusive Education Through Neurodiversity and Belonging
    methodology: inclusive-education
    By embracing neurodiversity and fostering a strong sense of belonging, the organization enables students to succeed academically and emotionally, because inclusive environments reduce stigma and support identity-affirming education.
  • Multi-Sensory, Time-Flexible Learning Environment
    methodology: multi-sensory_learning_environment
    By providing a multi-sensory, supportive, and time-flexible learning environment, the organization enables students with special learning needs to succeed, because respect and adequate pacing are believed to be key drivers of student engagement and mastery.