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ELM COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
ELMHURST, NY · EIN 822163314 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B29 · Education · Large ($10M-$50M) · elmcharterschool.org
revenue
$12.8M
expenses
$14.2M
net assets
$-811K
employees
84
volunteers
9
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

TO CULTIVATE STUDENT LEADERS WITH THE CHARACTER AND CAPACITY TO FORM THEIR OWN IDENTITY, SEIZE ANY OPPORTUNITY, AND SHAPE THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

profile · synthesized from sources

Elm Community Charter School is a free public charter school in New York City serving students in grades K–8. It emphasizes rigorous academics, project-based learning, and social-emotional development to cultivate student leadership and personal growth. The school serves a diverse student body in a supportive, inclusive environment designed to help students form their identities and succeed academically and socially.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Project-Based Learning
Students engage in hands-on, inquiry-driven projects integrating real-world problem solving across subjects, with over 8 hours per week dedicated to project work.
Small Group Learning
Daily instruction in groups of 6–8 students tailored to individual learning needs in core academic subjects.
Social-Emotional Curriculum
Structured program fostering self-awareness, collaboration, and resilience, integrated into daily learning to support holistic student development.
Student-Led Conferences
Quarterly conferences where students present their academic progress and projects to teachers and parents, promoting ownership of learning.
activities · 14 groups

What they do

  • Student Milestone Ceremonies & Events 1 activity
    • Administering academic recognition and milestone celebrations
      The school holds graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten and 5th grade students, including academic honors such as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, to recognize achievement and growth.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Conducting field studies and real-world learning experiences
      The school conducts 3 to 4 field studies annually, providing students with experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom content to real-world contexts.
  • Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
    • Delivering project-based and hands-on learning
      Students engage in over 8 hours per week of hands-on, project-based learning across disciplines, including integrated humanities projects and STEM challenges. The school’s inquiry-based model connects reading, writing, science, and social studies to real-world contexts through interdisciplinary units.
  • Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
    • Hosting family engagement and enrollment outreach activities
      ELM offers virtual and in-person school tours and information sessions in English and Spanish for prospective families to support enrollment and community integration.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Implementing science, engineering, and STEM education
      Students receive daily 45-minute science and engineering instruction and participate in hands-on STEM Lab experiences involving design, prototyping, and problem-solving. The school also offers a dedicated STEM program and Maker Space electives for elementary students.
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
    • Integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) across the curriculum
      Social Emotional Learning is embedded throughout the school day, including Morning Circle sessions for elementary students and the Crew program in middle school, which fosters long-term relationships, belonging, and personal growth.
  • East Asian Language and Cultural Education 1 activity
    • Offering language and cultural education programs
      The school provides language instruction in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese to develop bilingualism and cultural awareness. These programs are integrated into the curriculum to support global competence and cross-cultural understanding.
  • Charter School Operations 1 activity
    • Operating a charter school with character and academic development focus
      ELM COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL operates as a public charter school in New York, serving grades K–6 starting in Fall 2026 and expanding annually to grade 8. The school emphasizes student leadership, character building, and academic excellence through a structured, inquiry-based curriculum and a 14:1 student-teacher ratio to support individualized learning.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Providing afterschool programming with academic and arts support
      The school offers a free afterschool program that includes daily homework support and arts enrichment, ending in public student exhibitions each semester to showcase learning and creativity.
  • Universal In-School Meal Service 1 activity
    • Providing daily meals and essential student resources
      The school provides hot breakfast, lunch, and a snack daily to all students. It also ensures access to school communications, academic calendars, and family support systems, including a notification sign-up for updates.
  • Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
    • Providing small-group and individualized academic instruction
      The school delivers targeted small-group instruction in core subjects, with 2–3 hours daily in groups of 6–8 students tailored to individual needs. This includes leveled reading and math instruction in elementary school, as well as 1:1 tutoring and support blocks to build foundational skills and independence.
  • Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Running student enrichment and extracurricular programs
      ELM offers a range of extracurricular programs including Drama Club, Dance, Music, Media Lab, Greenhouse Club, and Sports & Movement. These programs develop artistic, technical, and physical skills, culminating in public performances, exhibitions, and community events.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Supporting student leadership and community engagement
      ELM runs a Student Ambassadors program where students lead tours and represent the school, and a Student Entrepreneurs program where they develop and launch products. These initiatives foster leadership, public speaking, and civic responsibility.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Hosting student-led academic conferences and presentations
      Students present their academic projects and personal growth to parents and teachers four times per year in student-led conferences, promoting accountability, reflection, and communication skills.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$12.75M
Contributions & grants$12.74M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$18K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$14.18M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$7.35M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$61.76M
Cash$4.13M
Investments$0
Liabilities$62.57M
Net assets$-811K
Liquid reserves3.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +5.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PRISCILLA WALTON HEAD OF SCHOOL 43 $263K
KAYLA RAE COBB PRINCIPAL 43 $177K
KIZZY R HODGE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUPP. 43 $176K
ZELEENA KHAN LEAD TEACHER 43 $138K
KIMBERLY PLACENCIA DIRECTOR OF OPERA. & COMPL. 43 $132K
KATHERINE NICDAO BACANI TEACHER INTERVENTIONIST 43 $130K
GINA NICOLE SPRIGGS LEAD TEACHER 43 $127K
ALEXANDRA EPSTEIN DIRECTOR OF HUMANI. & LIT. 43 $121K
board members · 9
  • ANUPA JACOB — TREASURER
  • DERIAN DE LA TORRE — TRUSTEE
  • EMILY RODRIGUEZ — TRUSTEE
  • GRACE YUN — TRUSTEE
  • KYLA CHIRICO — TRUSTEE
  • MICHAEL DORCELLY — SECRETARY
  • PAMELA CHIN — TRUSTEE
  • VANESSA LUGO RIPPEE — TRUSTEE
  • ZAINEB HUSSAIN — CHAIR
relationships · 17

Who they work with

  • Bolivian Llama Party Partner — Collaborates with students to bring student-grown produce from garden to table.
  • City Mission Partner — Collaborates with students on mural projects that tell local stories.
  • Elm Roastery Partner — Community partner that supports Elm Community Charter School and recognizes student engagement and pride in learning.
  • Elm Roastery Partner — Partners with students to teach how ideas become real businesses.
  • Girls on the Run Partner — Implements the Girls on the Run program at the school to support student development.
  • Guardians of Flushing Bay Partner — Works with students on environmental stewardship of local waterways.
  • Hellen Forson and Prince Annan Partner — Parents who share testimonials about their family's positive experience at the school
  • High Tech High Partner — Partners with educators to design project-based learning experiences.
  • Lavinia Group Partner — Partners on teacher education and professional development initiatives.
  • NYSED Government — Regulatory affiliation with the New York State Education Department
  • New Life Fellowship Partner — Local church in Queens that supports the school and recognizes its impact.
  • Not specified Partner — Offers tours and information sessions in Spanish, indicating partnership with Spanish-speaking community members or organizations.
  • SUNY Government — Authorizer of Elm Community Charter School, ensuring compliance with state academic, safety, and accountability standards.
  • SUNY CSI Government — Charter sponsor or oversight entity
  • SchoolMint Partner — Platform used for family enrollment after admission offer.
  • Teachers College Partner — Collaborates on teacher education programs to prepare new educators and improve instructional practice.
  • dotted8 Partner — Website design and development partner
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.

  • Longitudinal Community and Belonging Model
    methodology: longitudinal_cohort_model
    By maintaining stable student cohorts (Crew) throughout middle school, we foster sustained relationships and belonging because continuity in peer and advisor relationships strengthens social-emotional development and school engagement.
  • Mastery-Based, Inquiry-Driven Learning
    methodology: mastery_and_inquiry-based_learning
    By combining mastery of core academic skills with inquiry-based and project-based learning, we deepen understanding and engagement because students develop skills through problem-solving, real-world challenges, and discovery-driven projects that make learning meaningful.
  • Personalized, Data-Informed Instruction
    methodology: personalized_learning
    By using daily small-group, differentiated instruction informed by student data, we build skills and confidence because tailoring instruction to individual needs and learning styles ensures mastery and engagement at the appropriate level.
  • Student-Centered Leadership Development
    methodology: early_leadership_development
    By fostering student leadership through daily practice, identity development, and agency starting in Kindergarten, we cultivate proactive engagement and responsibility because early and sustained leadership experiences build character and ownership across all grade levels.
  • Whole-Child, Holistic Development Model
    methodology: whole-child_education
    By integrating academic, social-emotional, artistic, and leadership development through programs like Crew and collaborative learning, we support holistic growth because students thrive when their intellectual, emotional, and creative dimensions are developed in tandem.