named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Chapel Program
Weekly and bi-weekly non-denominational Christian services for JK–12 students that emphasize reflection, ethical themes, and interfaith understanding, including all-school gatherings and special observances.
Food & Justice Night
Annual event exploring intersections of social justice, sustainability, and culture through shared meals, storytelling, and educational programming.
Green Team
Student-led environmental group participating in climate action initiatives, including attendance at the Columbia Youth Climate Summit and field research on sustainability.
Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Program
School-wide annual event featuring assemblies, guest speakers, workshops, service learning, and performances honoring Dr. King’s legacy and promoting racial justice and equity.
Religion and Ethics Curriculum
JK–12 interdisciplinary program teaching world religions and ethical decision-making, including Bible classes in lower grades and philosophy/religion courses in high school, culminating in the student-authored Worldview Paper in eighth grade.
Service Learning
Program integrating community service with academic and ethical development, including local service projects and partnerships with organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Visibility Exhibit
Biennial photography project celebrating LGBTQ+ loved ones in the school community, promoting visibility and inclusion through public art displays.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
-
Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Delivers K–12 education with a focus on academic excellence and ethical developmentProvides instruction for over 800 students in junior kindergarten through twelfth grade, emphasizing intellectual engagement, curiosity, and ethical virtue through a structured curriculum and pedagogy of joy. The school operates in downtown Manhattan and maintains rigorous academic standards supported by ongoing curriculum development and assessment.
-
-
Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Engages alumni in school community and lifelong participationOffers structured opportunities for alumni to stay connected through visits, volunteering, networking, and sharing personal updates, fostering lifelong engagement with the school community through time, talent, and philanthropy.
-
-
Study Abroad and Global Immersion Programs 1 activity
- Facilitates international and experiential learning programsRuns annual international exchange experiences, including travel abroad and hosting foreign students, beginning with a long-standing partnership with schools in Yukuhashi, Japan since 1992. Also organizes experiential trips such as a marine science program in Bermuda and field research at the Hudson River Estuary in collaboration with Columbia University.
-
-
Student Club and Organization Support 1 activity
- Organizes student-led clubs, service learning, and community engagement initiativesSupports student-led clubs, committees, and classes focused on diversity, sustainability, and service learning, including the Green Team’s participation in the Columbia Youth Climate Summit and charity drives such as a Mother’s Day collection for survivors of domestic violence.
-
-
Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Provides professional development for faculty and instructional improvementOffers ongoing training for teachers in research-based teaching practices and curricular implementation, and employs the "Teaching with Grace" framework to define and promote teaching excellence across the institution.
-
-
Classical Christian K–12 Education 1 activity
- Provides religious and philosophical education integrated into the curriculumConducts weekly chapel services for younger students and biweekly services for high school students, offers Bible classes in elementary grades, and requires philosophy and religion courses for upper grades, including a semester-long elective in religion, ethics, philosophy, or psychology. Eighth graders complete a "Worldview Paper" research project on personal beliefs and values.
-
-
Youth Safety and Protection Programs 1 activity
- Supports student wellness, safety, and ethical community standardsImplements comprehensive safeguards to prevent abuse, including background checks, mandatory training, and reporting systems. Expands health and wellness education to include topics such as healthy relationships and consent, and commissions independent investigations when necessary, making findings publicly available.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Hosts annual cultural, religious, and social justice eventsOrganizes recurring community events including the annual MLK Peace Program, Black History Month commemorations, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Hanukkah-themed Family Shabbat dinners, Food & Justice Night, and the biennial Visibility Exhibit celebrating LGBTQ+ loved ones.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$62.69M
Contributions & grants$4.96M8%
Program service revenue$55.95M89%
Investment income$1.51M2%
Other revenue$264K
expenses
Total expenses$64.60M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$33.49M
Grants paid out$10.11M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$190.60M
Cash$12.87M
Investments$48.63M
Liabilities$163.32M
Net assets$27.28M
Liquid reserves11.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT PENNOYER | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $739K |
| SUSAN AUSTIN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $343K |
| MELANIE WHITE | DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE GUIDANCE | 40 | $312K |
| ELIZABETH LEVAY | DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $300K |
| GEORGE DAVISON | HEAD OF SCHOOL (FORMER) | 0 | $281K |
| LORRY PERRY | HEAD OF HIGH SCHOOL | 40 | $275K |
| SAARA MAHJOURI | ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $264K |
| ELSA HEPNER | HEAD OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | 40 | $258K |
| KIM CHALONER | DEAN OF FACULTY | 40 | $256K |
board members · 16
- ALAN REAGAN — TRUSTEE
- AVANI MEHTA SOOD — TRUSTEE
- CAMILLE ORME — TRUSTEE
- DAMIAN ZUNINO — TRUSTEE
- DOMINIQUE SCHULTE — SECRETARY
- DONNA GARBAN — TRUSTEE
- DOUGLAS ARMER — TRUSTEE
- ELIZABETH KIPP-GIUSTI — TRUSTEE
- FELICIA WILKS — TRUSTEE
- GEORGE MAJOROS — VICE CHAIR & TREASURER
- GREG GUSHEE — VICE CHAIR
- JAKE SIEWERT — TRUSTEE
- JAN ABERNATHY — TRUSTEE
- JOHN HALL — TRUSTEE
- KENJI YOSHINO — TRUSTEE
- KIRBY CHIN — TRUSTEE
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Partner — Collaborated with BIOS to host a marine science program in Bermuda for Grace Church School students.
- Columbia University Partner — Partners with Grace Church School to teach the Full STEAM Ahead: Exploring the Hudson River Estuary Lab Day course.
- Cooper Union Partner — Hosted a community event celebrating the publication of a Grace Church School teacher's novel.
- Cozen O'Connor Partner — Engaged to conduct an independent investigation into reports of abuse and to receive reports of misconduct.
- Episcopal Church Network — Grace Church School is an Episcopal school, affiliated with the Episcopal Church, and welcomes children of all faiths and of none.
- Episcopal Church Network — Grace Church School is an Episcopal school, indicating affiliation with the Episcopal Church network.
- George Jackson Academy Partner — Collaborates with the high school's Men of Color Affinity group through student visits.
- Grace Church Partner — Jointly engaged Cozen O'Connor for investigation and collaborates on child safety policies and safeguards.
- GraceNet Partner — Potential internal or affiliated network supporting school operations or community engagement
- Guild of Independent Schools of New York City Network — Member of the Guild of Independent Schools of New York City since 1947.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share updates and maintain connections with the Grace community.
- Leah Rosenbaum Partner — Director of Annual Giving at Grace Church School
- Lele LeVay Partner — Director of Advancement at Grace Church School
- Marilynn Honeycutt Partner — Special Events Manager at Grace Church School
- National Association of Episcopal Schools Network — Member organization participating in NAES conferences, webinars, and forums through representation by the school chaplain.
- National Association of Independent Schools Network — Accredited member since 1972.
- New York State Association of Independent Schools Network — Accredited member since 1972.
- New York University Partner — Co-hosts the Scientific Research Conference with Grace Church School.
- Renata Henry Partner — Director of Alumni Relations at Grace Church School
- Robert K Brown Partner — Database Manager at Grace Church School
strategies · 4
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.
- Anti-Racism as Foundational Practicemethodology: anti-racism_as_foundational_practiceBy embedding anti-racism education into the core of school culture, the institution addresses systemic bias and injustice because equitable environments enable all students—especially marginalized ones—to thrive academically and socially.
- Belonging as Academic Foundationmethodology: belonging-as-academic-foundationBy fostering deep belonging and an inclusive community grounded in dignity and Episcopal values, academic performance improves because students learn best when they feel emotionally safe, seen, and respected as individuals.
- Integrated Moral and Intellectual Developmentmethodology: character-based_educationBy treating ethical virtue and intellectual excellence as interdependent goals, the school enhances both character and academic outcomes because moral reasoning deepens engagement with knowledge and responsible application of learning.
- Pedagogy of Joymethodology: pedagogy_of_joyBy designing learning around delight, wonder, curiosity, and purpose rather than stress, students are more deeply engaged and develop a lasting love of learning because positive emotional experiences enhance cognitive retention and intrinsic motivation.