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HAYGROUND SCHOOL INC

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY · EIN 113365670 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B240 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · hayground.org
revenue
$6.0M
expenses
$4.6M
net assets
$2.5M
employees
203
volunteers
50
program ratio
93%
profile · synthesized from sources

Hayground School Inc is an independent school in Bridgehampton, NY serving children ages 3 to 14. It offers an inquiry-based, hands-on educational model inspired by John Dewey, emphasizing mixed-age classrooms, individualized learning, and interdisciplinary projects that integrate art, science, history, and literacy. The school fosters student engagement through mentorship, real-world applications, and partnerships with professional artists and scientists.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.60M
    OPERATION OF A DAY CAMP DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS FOR CHILDERN RANGING FROM AGES THREE TO THIRTEEN.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Apprenticeship Program
Senior Learners (ages 12-14) engage in community-based apprenticeships with external organizations or businesses, developing independence, self-motivation, and professional skills under adult mentorship outside the school faculty.
Art of Science Project
Cross-disciplinary program where students investigate major living systems and create large-scale art installations displayed at the Parrish Art Museum, integrating scientific research with artistic expression.
Artists-in-Residence Program
Professional artists, writers, and musicians lead immersive workshops in disciplines such as Shakespeare performance, music, folklore, and percussion, enabling students to work as authentic practitioners in the arts.
Senior Learner Project
Year-long independent research project culminating in a written report and public presentation, guided by a faculty adviser on topics ranging from history to science and literature.
Summer Day Camp
Summer program for children ages 3 to 13 focusing on hands-on learning, creative exploration, and community building through interdisciplinary activities.
activities · 14 groups

What they do

  • Project-Based Learning Programs 3 activities
    • Conduct interdisciplinary project-based learning across age groups
      Implements year-long interdisciplinary projects for middle group students in filmmaking, bookmaking, and innovation, and guides senior learners in long-term projects integrating science, history, and the arts.
    • Produce student-led art-science installations and exhibitions
      Supports students in creating gallery-scale art-science installations on themes including honey bees, coral reefs, and seeds, exhibited at the Parrish Art Museum.
    • Support senior learner capstone projects and presentations
      Guides senior learners in completing individualized research projects and interdisciplinary studies on topics such as the atomic bomb, solar ovens, and immigrant stories, culminating in written reports, public presentations, and Q&A sessions with a review panel.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
    • Deliver experiential outdoor learning programs
      Conducts regular outdoor learning and play activities each spring, including hands-on gardening, rock collection field trips, and nature-based exploration to support student engagement, well-being, and environmental education.
    • Host educational visits and guest presentations
      Hosts experts and organizations such as the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center and local rock collector Kate Soroka to provide students with interactive learning experiences on animal care, geology, and natural sciences.
  • Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
    • Conduct faculty professional development
      Holds weekly faculty meetings focused on reflection, mentoring, and professional development in teaching and learning practices.
  • Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
    • Deliver culinary arts education and programming
      Operates Jeff’s Kitchen, a state-of-the-art culinary classroom and dining area, as the centerpiece of a culinary arts program that includes student cooking, dining experiences, and community events such as the annual Chef’s Dinner.
  • Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
    • Facilitate literacy and peer learning programs
      Runs a book buddy program where students engage in shared reading activities to build literacy skills and social connections, and supports early learners through peer reading with older students.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Host end-of-year and experiential learning trips
      Organizes an end-of-year experiential learning trip to Boston for senior learners prior to graduation, as well as educational cruises aboard the R/V Peconic and planned bay and ocean explorations with Stony Brook University.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Offer after-school enrichment programs
      Provides after-school enrichment in physical activity, arts, language, and music led by school faculty and community educators.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Operate summer day camp for children ages 3 to 13
      Provides a structured summer day camp program for children aged three to thirteen, offering educational and recreational activities during summer months.
  • School and School-Community Events 1 activity
    • Organize student performances and public events
      Plans and hosts public events including a Children’s Day Gathering featuring student performances, annual Shakespeare performances guided by professional actors from Shakespeare & Company, and other artistic showcases.
  • Campus Construction and Renovation Projects 1 activity
    • Plan and construct educational facilities for interdisciplinary learning
      Initiated construction of the Integrated Arts & Science Center (I-ASC) in Fall 2025 to support nature-based observation and creative inquiry, building on prior development of Jeff’s Kitchen and other campus facilities.
  • Youth-Led Student Publications 1 activity
    • Produce daily student publication
      Produces a daily publication called "Hayground Daily," involving students in regular writing and communication activities.
  • Community-Based Educational Programming 1 activity
    • Provide community-based apprenticeships for senior learners
      Places senior learners in local community apprenticeships at veterinary clinics, libraries, historical projects, culinary programs, toy stores, and artist studios to support real-world learning and professional development.
  • Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
    • Run on-campus agricultural and ecological programs
      Maintains three organic gardens, two greenhouses, a heritage-breed chicken coop, and saltwater aquariums; students grow dune grass and spartina alterniflora for marine habitat restoration and monitor horseshoe crab colonies as part of ecological stewardship.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Support parent and community engagement in school operations
      Engages parents and community members in school operations through volunteering, participation in committees, classroom assistance, Helping Hands workdays, and events such as the annual Helping Hands Days and Chef’s Dinner.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.04M
Contributions & grants$1.85M31%
Program service revenue$4.11M68%
Investment income$81K1%
Other revenue$-4K
expenses
Total expenses$4.63M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$3.20M
Grants paid out$50K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.99M
Cash$3.91M
Investments$0
Liabilities$3.50M
Net assets$2.50M
Liquid reserves10.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +29.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 9
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DOUG WEITZ TRUSTEE 40 $152K
ARJUN ACHUTHAN TRUSTEE 40 $140K
LIZ BERTSCH TRUSTEE 40 $135K
JULIE FANELLI-DENNY TRUSTEE 40 $130K
MARYBETH PACILIO TRUSTEE 40 $116K
CHERYL BUCK TRUSTEE 40 $109K
MARCELLE LANGENDAL TRUSTEE 40 $100K
PERRY BURNS TRUSTEE 40 $57K
TOHANASH TARRANT TRUSTEE 40 $48K
board members · 14
  • ELAINE DUFF TITUS — TRUSTEE
  • EMILY ASPINALL — TRUSTEE
  • EMILY KOROT SAMUELS — TRUSTEE
  • JONATHAN SNOW — TRUSTEE
  • JUSTINE ENGEL-SNOW — TRUSTEE
  • KIMBERLY FEIERSTEIN — TRUSTEE
  • LAURA SOLINGER — TRUSTEE
  • MARIA LAVEZZO — TRUSTEE
  • NICK SAMUELS — TRUSTEE
  • PHILIPPE CHENG — TRUSTEE
  • RICHARD BOSELEY — TRUSTEE
  • STEPHANIE R BULGER — TRUSTEE
  • SUSAN RINGO — TRUSTEE
  • TONI ROSS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 27

Who they work with

  • ARF Partner — Local organization that supports Hayground School.
  • Dime Community Bank Partner — Local business that supports Hayground School.
  • East End Food Institute Partner — Local organization that supports Hayground School.
  • East Hampton Star Partner — Local business or organization that supports Hayground School.
  • East Hampton Veterinary Clinic Partner — Hosts Hayground School senior learners as apprentices.
  • Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center Partner — Collaborated with Hayground School to deliver an educational program about wildlife rehabilitation and animal care.
  • Facebook Network — Member of Facebook's platform for sharing content.
  • Hampton Library Partner — Hosts Hayground School senior learners as apprentices.
  • Hampton Library Partner — Local institution that supports Hayground School.
  • Instagram Network — Member of Instagram's platform for sharing content.
  • Jeff Salaway Partner — Founding parent and local restaurateur whose vision led to the creation of Jeff’s Kitchen, the school's Culinary Arts Center.
  • John Dewey Network — Philosophically inspired by the educational ideas of John Dewey.
  • Leon Levy Foundation Funder — Foundation that provides support to Hayground School.
  • Leon Levy Foundation Funder — Provided multi-year grant funding for the advancement of humanity and learning.
  • M.T. Anderson Partner — Published writer who has provided prompts and critiqued senior learner essays.
  • Parrish Art Museum Partner — Collaborates with students on gallery-scale art and science installations
  • Parrish Art Museum Partner — Regional cultural institution that supports Hayground School.
  • Perry Burns Partner — Artist who hosts Hayground School senior learners in studio apprenticeships.
  • Rodney L. White Foundation Funder — Foundation that provides support to Hayground School.
  • Shakespeare & Company Partner — Collaborates annually through an artist-in-residence program in which professional actors lead students in the study and performance of Shakespeare.
  • Stacy Meyers Partner — Environmental and science education consultant supporting student projects and service initiatives
  • Stanford University Partner — Instructor Madeline Grabb, who leads the Senior Learner Essay program, is a graduate of Stanford University.
  • Stony Brook University Partner — Collaborates with Hayground School on educational field trips aboard the R/V Peconic, including wildlife observation and bay and ocean explorations.
  • Susan Engel Partner — Published writer who has provided prompts and critiqued senior learner essays.
  • Watermill Center Partner — Regional arts organization that supports Hayground School.
  • community experts Partner — Collaborates with community experts who serve as mentors and contribute to student learning through shared knowledge and real-world experience.
  • visiting artists Partner — Engages visiting artists as mentors who work directly with students to support creative development and knowledge sharing.
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.

  • Equity in Access via Sliding-Scale Tuition
    methodology: equity_in_access
    By using a need-based tuition remission process, the school ensures socioeconomic diversity and equitable access because removing financial barriers enables participation across income levels, fostering inclusive community and shared learning.
  • Mentor-Based, Experiential Learning Model
    methodology: mentor-based_experiential_learning
    By integrating individualized mentorship with hands-on, real-world academic and professional experiences, students develop intellectual, creative, and social growth because sustained adult guidance and applied learning deepen engagement and foster agency.
  • Project- and Place-Based Integrated Curriculum
    methodology: project_place_based_learning
    By teaching core academic disciplines through long-term, real-world projects and local environmental resources, students achieve deeper understanding and worldview shifts because authentic, context-rich experiences make learning meaningful and personally relevant.
  • Reciprocal Peer and Mixed-Age Mentorship Culture
    methodology: reciprocal_peer_mentorship
    By organizing learning around mixed-age groups and reciprocal mentorship, students develop self-discipline, community awareness, and leadership because younger learners benefit from peer modeling while older students deepen understanding through teaching and responsibility.
  • Values- and Reflection-Driven Pedagogy
    methodology: reflective_pedagogy
    By grounding teaching in core values and structured reflection, students grow into thoughtful, active citizens because consistent ethical framing and critical self-inquiry promote personal responsibility and community engagement.