named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Abstract Minds Program
Part-time enrichment program for homeschoolers in Grades 1–3, offering 3 or 5 afternoons per week of Spanish immersion, arts, movement, and collaborative projects in a Montessori environment.
Going Out Program
Student-initiated excursions into the community for research and learning, fostering independence, responsibility, and real-world engagement as part of the Montessori curriculum.
Lower Elementary Program
Full-time Montessori program for children ages 6 to 9, featuring a three-year multi-age cycle, integrated curriculum in English and Spanish, and emphasis on self-directed learning and community-based exploration.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Montessori Education Programs 2 activities
- Deliver specialized Montessori curriculum across developmental stagesOffers age-specific Montessori curricula including practical life, sensory, language, mathematics, cultural subjects, and arts for toddlers (15–36 months); reading, writing, and math development for early childhood (ages 3–6); and community-based "Going Out" excursions and interdisciplinary learning for lower elementary students (ages 6–9).
- Operate bilingual Montessori school programs for children ages 15 months through 12 yearsProvides a fully implemented Montessori learning environment with bilingual education in English and Spanish for children from 15 months through 3rd grade (approximately 12 years), including toddler, early childhood, and elementary programs across the Capital Region of New York. Programs are fully accredited and include multi-age classroom cycles aligned with Montessori pedagogy.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Conduct regular field trips and community excursionsOrganizes monthly field trips to cultural and civic sites in Downtown Albany—including museums, government buildings, libraries, and historic homes—and facilitates student-led "Going Out" excursions that require planning, coordination, and responsible public conduct.
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Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
- Facilitate school community engagement and family participationBuilds school community through structured opportunities for guides, parents, and families to connect, collaborate, and participate in school decision-making, including parent education sessions, monthly guest speakers, and whole-school gatherings.
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Latino and Multicultural Theater Production 1 activity
- Host annual cultural and enrichment eventsOrganizes and hosts annual bilingual and cultural events including a Variety Show, Bilingual Children’s Play, Feria de Español, and an annual bilingual theater production involving students in acting and backstage roles following three months of rehearsals.
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 1 activity
- Offer specialized weekly arts, music, and physical education instructionProvides weekly instruction in visual arts, music (including rhythm training and xylophone), physical education, and dance rooted in Afro-Latin traditions (including Flamenco and West African dance), with student performances at two annual events and preparation for three family events.
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Homeschool Support Services 1 activity
- Operate part-time program for homeschoolers in Grades 1–3Offers a part-time in-person program for homeschooling families, available 3 or 5 afternoons per week during two semesters (fall: September–February; spring: February–June), serving students in Grades 1–3.
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Coached Athletic Training Programs 1 activity
- Participate in seasonal running competitionsParticipates in cross-country and track meets organized by the Just Run Capital Region Chapter each fall and spring, including weekly physical education and seasonal competition preparation.
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Early Childhood Education Financial Assistance 1 activity
- Provide income-based scholarships to increase access to educationOffers sliding-scale scholarships and financial support based on family income to ensure broader access to its bilingual Montessori programs.
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Student and Camp Transportation Services 1 activity
- Provide transportation services for studentsOffers school bus transportation to support student access to the school’s programs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$631K
Contributions & grants$59K9%
Program service revenue$569K90%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$635K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$458K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$67K
Cash$12K
Investments$0
Liabilities$70K
Net assets$-3K
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +18.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE NICKERSON | EX-OFFICIO MEMBER | 40 | $85K |
board members · 8
- ANA GABY MONTEMAYOR — TREASURER
- ED NICKERSON — PRESIDENT
- JENNIFER KAREKLAS — SECRETARY
- KADEEM WOLLIASTON — TRUSTEE
- KEARA SEASE — TRUSTEE
- MARCELA GAUDIN — TRUSTEE
- SEAN NOLAN — VICE PRESIDENT
- YVETTE MALAVE DIAZ — TRUSTEE
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- American Montessori Society Network — Member of the American Montessori Society and accredited by the organization as a school.
- American Montessori Society Network — Teachers are credentialed by the American Montessori Society (AMS).
- Emily, Parent, 7 Year Old Partner — Parent partner providing testimonial about child's social growth and community experience at the school
- Just Run Capital Region Chapter Partner — Collaborates on organizing fall and spring cross-country/track meets for students.
- Just Run Capital Region Chapter Partner — Partner organization sponsoring seasonal running competitions in which Castle Island students participate.
- Montessori network Network — Encourages guides to form connections within the larger Montessori network.
- social media Partner — Connects with families through social media platforms to build community engagement.
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.
- Bilingual Immersion Through Critical Periodsmethodology: simultaneous_bilingual_immersionBy immersing children in English and Spanish simultaneously during sensitive periods of language development, we enhance cognitive flexibility and linguistic mastery because early, natural exposure enables deeper neural integration of dual languages.
- Child-Centered Self-Directed Learningmethodology: child_centered_self_directed_learningBy allowing children to choose activities and progress at their own pace through sensory engagement and discovery, we foster intrinsic motivation, executive function, and mastery because autonomy and developmental readiness optimize learning outcomes.
- Family-School Developmental Alignmentmethodology: family_school_partnershipBy operating as a family-school partnership, we align home and school environments to support consistent developmental reinforcement because children achieve greater emotional security and learning continuity when caregivers and educators share values and practices.
- Montessori-Based Whole-Child Developmentmethodology: whole_child_developmentBy integrating academic, emotional, social, sensorial, and practical life skills within a bilingual Montessori framework, we support holistic development because children thrive when all domains of growth are addressed in a coherent, respectful environment.
- Multi-Age Classroom Learning Communitymethodology: multi_age_classroomBy organizing classrooms with mixed-age groups, we enable individualized pacing, peer-to-peer learning, and leadership development because heterogeneous groupings mirror real-world social dynamics and deepen engagement across developmental stages.