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MOUNTAIN LAKE ACADEMY

LAKE PLACID, NY · EIN 205764735 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B25 · Education · Large ($10M-$50M) · mountainlakeacademy.org
revenue
$10.3M
expenses
$9.9M
net assets
$4.6M
employees
149
volunteers
5
program ratio
84%
mission · from form 990

THE ORGANIZATION IS A TWELVE-MONTH RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM DEVOTED TO THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

profile · synthesized from sources

Mountain Lake Academy is a residential educational program for vulnerable youth aged 12 to 21, located in Lake Placid, NY. The organization integrates academic instruction with therapeutic support, outdoor experiential learning, and vocational training. It serves students with emotional, social, and learning challenges through a structured, holistic environment designed to prepare them for reintegration into their home communities.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Academic Curriculum
State-aligned academic program offering core subjects, Regents exams, college preparatory courses, and technology-rich learning with individualized pacing and IEP support.
Adventure-Based Activities
Experiential outdoor education program including hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, and multi-day expeditions designed to build self-reliance, teamwork, and communication skills.
Building Trades Vocational Program
Program providing foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in construction methods, tools, and math concepts through on-site and community service projects.
Clinical and Therapeutic Services
Trauma-informed mental health services including individual and family therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and evidence-based modalities such as CBT and DBT.
Culinary Arts Vocational Program
Vocational training program teaching practical skills in food preparation and kitchen operations as part of career readiness.
High Ropes Course
On-campus ropes course with zipline used as experiential therapy to build coping skills, self-confidence, and personal growth through structured physical challenges.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
    • Academic instruction aligned with New York State standards and college preparation
      Offers core academic courses in English, math, science, and history, administers New York State Regents exams and other mandated assessments, and provides college preparatory instruction for SAT and ASVAB exams. Classrooms are equipped with iMacs and personal iPads, and small class sizes support individualized instruction and implementation of IEPs.
  • Interscholastic and Inclusive School Sports Programs 1 activity
    • Daily physical and recreational programming
      Offers structured daily physical and recreational activities including gym use, team sports (basketball, soccer, kickball, volleyball, softball), and organized games to promote student engagement, fitness, and social development.
  • Guided Outdoor Expedition Programs 1 activity
    • Experiential outdoor education and wilderness programming
      Provides four-season experiential education through outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, and multi-day expeditions in the Adirondack Park and on campus. Climbing is incorporated into physical education to promote lifetime fitness, particularly for students who are not traditionally athletic.
  • Child & Youth Meal Programs 1 activity
    • Nutritional services and meal provision
      Prepares and serves meals and snacks that comply with New York State Department of Education nutrition guidelines, supporting student health and wellness as part of the residential program.
  • Residential Care for At-Risk Youth 1 activity
    • Residential educational program for youth with emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges
      Operates a year-round residential program for young men aged 12 to 21, providing therapeutic, academic, and personal development support to help students transition successfully back to their home communities. The program integrates intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development through structured routines, individualized educational plans, and therapeutic services.
  • Educational Technology Access and Support 1 activity
    • Technology-integrated and online learning support
      Equips students with personal iPads and access to iMac stations to support digital learning; provides access to online courses when classroom-based instruction is insufficient or unavailable. Technology is integrated into daily instruction across the curriculum.
  • Outpatient Mental Health Clinic Services 1 activity
    • Therapeutic services using evidence-based clinical modalities
      Provides individual and family therapy using evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Grief Counseling, and Family Therapy. Also includes a high ropes course on campus as a form of experiential therapy to build coping skills and personal growth.
  • Career and Technical Education Programs 1 activity
    • Vocational education in Culinary Arts and Building Trades
      Offers vocational training programs in Culinary Arts and Building Trades, providing students with practical skills and hands-on experience through on-site and community service-based construction projects.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$10.28M
Contributions & grants$215K2%
Program service revenue$9.66M94%
Investment income$55K1%
Other revenue$352K
expenses
Total expenses$9.86M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$8.07M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.19M
Cash$3.35M
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.57M
Net assets$4.62M
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CHRISTOPHER MARIANO PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE 40 $207K
SUSAN ROSE-HOCKERT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/TREASURER 35 $137K
board members · 5
  • BRIAN PELKEY — DIRECTOR
  • ERNEST H STRETTON — CHAIRPERSON
  • HENRI GABORIAU — DIRECTOR
  • KAYSIE KYLER — DIRECTOR
  • STACEY MILLMAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • All Kinds of Therapy Partner — Lists Mountain Lake Academy as a partner organization
  • American Educational Excellence Partner — Recognizes Mountain Lake Academy through its website listing
  • National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs Network — Includes Mountain Lake Academy in its program school directory
  • New York State Department of Education Government — Follows school nutrition guidelines set by the New York State Department of Education.
  • New York State Education Department Government — Approves Mountain Lake Academy
  • Office of Children and Family Services Government — Approves Mountain Lake Academy
  • Registered Nurse Partner — Oversees medical department and delivers health assessments and services to students.
  • Social Current Partner — Accredits Mountain Lake Academy through COA Accreditation
  • State Board of School Administrators Network — Lists Mountain Lake Academy as a member organization
  • community-based agency representatives Partner — Collaborates with community-based agencies to assess student strengths and tailor therapeutic responses.
  • wilderness educators Partner — Collaborates with wilderness educators to facilitate outdoor learning and personal growth.
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.

  • Career-Preparatory Technical Education
    methodology: career-preparatory education
    By integrating hands-on instruction in construction trades with academic theory and mathematics, the academy prepares students for building careers because applied, context-rich learning increases skill retention and workforce readiness.
  • Individualized, Student-Centered Learning with Agency
    methodology: individualized_learning
    By designing fully individualized curricula and empowering students to take ownership of their learning through wrap-around support, the academy meets unique academic and emotional needs because personalized pacing and student agency increase engagement and developmental outcomes.
  • Integrated Residential and Clinical Support Model
    methodology: residential_care_model
    By combining long-term residential care with clinical services, academics, and recreation in a structured environment, the academy supports holistic student growth because stability and multi-disciplinary integration address the complex needs of children with disabilities.
  • Progressive Adventure-Based Experiential Learning
    methodology: experiential-education-with-transfer
    By using increasingly challenging outdoor and adventure activities—such as rock climbing and wilderness experiences—with reflection and real-life application, the academy builds self-reliance, teamwork, and emotional growth because sustained, experiential challenges in nature promote transferable personal development.
  • Trauma-Informed, Family-Engaged Care
    methodology: trauma-informed_care
    By grounding psychiatric and clinical services in a trauma-informed framework that includes youth, families, and community partners, the academy fosters resilience and growth because understanding trauma history enables personalized, effective interventions.