named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
HAC Athletics Program
Joint interscholastic athletic program with The Harley School offering modified, junior varsity, and varsity sports including tennis, volleyball, and indoor track and field for middle and high school students.
Little School Program
Early childhood education program using the Reggio-Emilia approach, focusing on child-led and developmentally appropriate learning for nursery and preschool students.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Structured Critical Thinking Curriculum 2 activities
- Implement diverse and collaborative teaching methods in Upper SchoolOffers seminar-style classrooms, lectures, writing workshops, and collaborative learning models in the Upper School to support varied learning styles and active student engagement. These teaching styles are consistently highlighted across multiple communications as a core instructional approach.
- Operate specialized academic centers focused on innovation and global engagementRuns four Centers for Impact: the Center for Global Engagement, the Center for Creativity & Entrepreneurship, the Invent Center for STEM & Innovation, and the Center for Humanities, which provide structured programming to deepen student inquiry and real-world application.
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Interscholastic and Inclusive School Sports Programs 1 activity
- Administer competitive athletics with strong academic integrationFields competitive sports teams that have won 64 Section V Championships across 11 sports over recent years, with sustained academic excellence—every team recognized as a Scholar Athlete Team each season for seven years, contributing to seven consecutive NYSPHSAA School of Distinction honors. Over 25% of the Class of 2026 continues to play sports in college.
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Montessori Education Programs 1 activity
- Deliver Pre-K through 12th grade education using child-centered and research-based approachesProvides independent education for students from 18 months (nursery school) through 12th grade, utilizing the Reggio-Emilia approach in early childhood and research-based programs tailored to individual developmental needs. Emphasizes a trusting, responsive environment that fosters confidence, scholastic independence, and child-led exploration.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Engage alumni through events, recognition, and volunteer programsHosts annual alumni events including reunion celebrations, holiday parties, and cocktail gatherings, and presents the Distinguished Alumni Award. Engages alumni volunteers in class reunions, phonathons, and campus speaking roles to sustain community connections.
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Youth Cultural and Educational Travel Programs 1 activity
- Facilitate local and global experiential learning opportunitiesEngages students in local and international learning experiences designed to foster design thinking, imagination, and positive community impact, aligning with the school’s educational mission beyond the classroom.
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Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
- Fund educational innovation initiatives for faculty and staffAwards funding through the Innovation Fund to support new educational programs and pedagogical development, enabling faculty to implement creative and impactful learning experiences.
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Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
- Maintain small class sizes and individualized academic supportEnsures student participation and personalized teacher attention through small class sizes and ongoing communication among parents, students, and teachers, including formal parent-teacher conferences to review progress.
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Youth-Led Student Publications 1 activity
- Promote student publishing and public scholarshipSupports student-led academic publishing, including the annual Journal of Research and Discovery (STEM-focused) and student editorials published in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Also facilitates younger students’ media production, such as the fifth-grade publication The Paw Print.
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Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
- Support parent and caregiver community buildingHosts affinity groups for parents and caregivers to share experiences and build connections around shared identities, fostering inclusive family engagement within the school community.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Support student access through financial aid and endowed scholarshipsAllocates $3 million annually for financial aid and has established new partially endowed scholarships specifically for students from the Rochester City School District (RCSD), increasing access and diversity at the school.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Strengthen institutional capacity through endowment and faculty supportConcluded a three-year endowment campaign that added five million dollars to the school's endowment, specifically to enhance faculty compensation and long-term sustainability. This effort also contributed to successful reaccreditation by NYSAIS.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$16.23M
Contributions & grants$5.70M35%
Program service revenue$9.30M57%
Investment income$333K2%
Other revenue$896K
expenses
Total expenses$13.24M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$7.46M
Grants paid out$3.03M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$17.54M
Cash$64K
Investments$9.84M
Liabilities$7.25M
Net assets$10.29M
Liquid reserves9.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +46.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHANNON BAUDO | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 65 | $240K |
| ERIC STEINER | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 65 | $143K |
| PHILIP SCHWARTZ | HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL | 50 | $121K |
| TINA DUVER | HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL | 50 | $118K |
| MAURIN JEFFRIES | HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL | 50 | $118K |
board members · 13
- AMY LEIBECK — TRUSTEE
- ARI BAUM — TRUSTEE
- BRIDGETTE RIVERS — TRUSTEE
- DAVID DWORKIN — TREASURER
- DODIE GUMAER — VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY
- ELIZABETH MURRAY — TRUSTEE
- FRANCIS CLEMENT — TRUSTEE
- JEFF WYNN — TRUSTEE
- KATIE GARRETT — TRUSTEE
- KEN MCCURDY — TRUSTEE
- LINDSY BENNAGE — VICE CHAIR
- MARIE TIMPANI — TRUSTEE
- RITA HOARD — TRUSTEE
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Allendale School for Boys Partner — Original boys' school that merged with Columbia School to form Allendale Columbia School.
- BIPOC Partner — Hosts a BIPOC affinity group for parents and caregivers within the school community.
- Columbia School Partner — Merger partner in forming Allendale Columbia School; combined under one Board of Trustees in 1971.
- David C. Burdick '85 Funder — Sponsored the annual Alumni Holiday Party.
- Finger Lakes Athletic Association Network — HAC Teams compete in the Finger Lakes Athletic Association.
- LGBTQIA+ Partner — Hosts an LGBTQIA+ affinity group for parents and caregivers within the school community.
- Mike Mrzywka ’01 Partner — Hosted the annual Alumni Holiday Party at Tin Cup Social, which he co-owns.
- National Association of Independent Schools Network — Uses NAIS Principles of Good Practice as a framework for equity and justice.
- National Association of Independent Schools Partner — Partnered with NAIS in a strategic planning process to develop a three- to five-year plan for the school's future.
- Neurodivergent Partner — Hosts a neurodivergent affinity group for parents and caregivers within the school community.
- New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Network — Accrediting body with which Allendale Columbia School is affiliated and through which it maintains accreditation.
- New York State Public High School Athletic Association Network — HAC Teams are affiliated with NYSPHSAA, Section V, and compete under its governance.
- Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Partner — Media partner that published student work from the Democracy & Discourse class on its editorial page.
- The Harley School Partner — Joint athletic program (HAC Athletics) combining resources, students, facilities, and faculty for coaching.
- The Harley School Partner — Joint interscholastic athletic program (HAC) partner for co-managing and delivering varsity sports programs including indoor track and field and tennis.
- WXXI Partner — Local media organization that featured Allendale Columbia School in a news segment.
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.
- Child-Led, Environment-Based Learning (Reggio Emilia)methodology: Reggio-EmiliaBy using a child-led, guided learning approach rooted in exploration and discovery within the environment, we foster deeper developmental and academic growth, because children learn best through active engagement with their surroundings.
- Inclusive Community Building Through Identity and Collaborationmethodology: inclusive_community_buildingBy creating inclusive, brave spaces through affinity groups and collaborative reflection, we strengthen belonging and community resilience, because shared identity and structured dialogue foster connection and psychological safety across diverse experiences.
- Individualized Developmental Support Across Stagesmethodology: individualized_developmentBy responding to the individual developmental needs of each student through research-based, age-appropriate programming from early childhood onward, we produce continuous academic and personal growth, because tailored support optimizes learning trajectories across developmental stages.
- Inquiry-Based, Real-World Connected Curriculummethodology: inquiry_based_real_world_learningBy designing curriculum around inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world application beyond standardized testing, we produce more engaged and capable learners, because authentic problem-solving fosters scholastic independence and long-term readiness for global challenges.
- No-Cut, Balanced Approach to Student Athleticsmethodology: no-cut_participation_policyBy maintaining a no-cut participation policy and balancing academics, physical activity, and personal growth, we support holistic development for all student-athletes, because universal access to sports promotes resilience, inclusion, and well-rounded成长 regardless of skill level.