irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $10KTHE CAROLINE PRATT CENTER LLC ENGAGES IN ADVANCING PRECEPTS OF PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION BY PROVIDING WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING FOR PROGRESSIVE EDUCATORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITY AND COUNTRY SCHOOL'S CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGY.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Academic Performance Lab
Support program for students in grades X–XII that provides targeted academic assistance in math and learning strategies, led by learning specialists.
Block Connection Program
Professional development initiative that teaches educators how to incorporate blocks and hands-on learning into classroom instruction, extending C&C's pedagogical approach beyond the school.
Jobs Program
Real-world leadership and responsibility program for third- through eighth-grade students who run school operations such as a post office, store, and newspaper, integrating economics, civics, and collaboration.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Teacher Professional Development 2 activities
- Engage in strategic planning and institutional developmentConducts comprehensive strategic planning through community engagement activities—including surveys, conversations, and listening sessions—with support from external consultants to sustain child-centered learning and innovation.
- Host educator visits and professional development workshopsHosts over 100 educators annually for structured on-campus visits to observe classroom activities and offers Block Workshops that demonstrate the school’s signature block-building program to foster agency, innovation, and collaboration among participants.
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Safe and Inclusive School Environment 1 activity
- Advance inclusive school culture through antiracism and social justiceAdvocates for and implements an inclusive school culture grounded in antiracism and social justice principles to ensure all community members feel seen, valued, and a sense of belonging.
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- Conduct admissions outreach and prospective family engagementHosts Open House events with hands-on activities, conducts in-person campus tours, and offers opportunities for prospective families to meet current students and families to explore the school environment and progressive program.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Implement block-based and embodied learning programsUses daily block play starting at age two and group-based construction projects in kindergarten through second grade to explore mathematical, architectural, and geographical concepts; also integrates creative movement and dramatic play through the Rhythms program for students age 3 through eighth grade to explore academic themes through embodied learning.
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Maintain and share historical archives on progressive educationPreserves over 100 cubic feet of archival materials across 16 collections, including historical records, photographs, videos, student work, and artifacts, and operates a digital archive and curated exhibits such as a centennial exhibit on the school's founding and role in progressive education.
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Offer specialized instruction in arts, science, and woodshopProvides specialized classes in science, music, art, and woodshop for students from early childhood through early adolescence as part of a holistic, progressive education model.
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Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Operate independent progressive school for children ages 2–13Provides a continuous educational program from early childhood through early adolescence (ages 2 through 8th grade) grounded in child-centered, progressive pedagogy, with graduates performing at or above peer level in math and language arts upon entering high school.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Run student Jobs Program for real-world skill developmentOperates a Jobs Program for third- through eighth-grade students that assigns real-life responsibilities within the school community, integrating academic learning with practical tasks to build responsibility, collaboration, and leadership skills.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Support alumni engagement and storytellingOrganizes 'Meet the Grads' panel events where alumni share how their education at the school influenced their personal and professional lives.
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Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
- Train educators in block-based instruction through Block ConnectionOperates the Block Connection program to train educators in incorporating wooden unit blocks and open-ended materials into classroom instruction, supporting child-centered learning approaches.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$25.65M
Contributions & grants$4.98M19%
Program service revenue$19.91M78%
Investment income$736K3%
Other revenue$32K
expenses
Total expenses$23.26M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$14.44M
Grants paid out$3.74M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$58.26M
Cash$19.40M
Investments$15.13M
Liabilities$19.24M
Net assets$39.03M
Liquid reserves17.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +3.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 11
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANK PATTI | PRINCIPAL | 40 | $585K |
| MIKE JACKSON | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 40 | $276K |
| MINDY N SCHEFEN FORMER | DIR. OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 0 | $268K |
| SCOTT MORAN | EXECUTIVE DIR. OF CAROLINE PRATT | 40 | $268K |
| KAREN BRANDT | DIRECTOR OF MIDDLE/UPPER SCHOOL | 40 | $261K |
| JULIE CLARDY | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $232K |
| MELISSA RITCHIE | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $226K |
| GIRISH THADHANI | CONTROLLER | 40 | $215K |
| SARA HANCE | TEACHER TRUSTEE | 40 | $145K |
| STEPHANIE LEVEE | TEACHER TRUSTEE | 40 | $122K |
| KEVIN GILLESPIE | TRUSTEE | 1 | $3K |
board members · 14
- ADAM WINKEL — TRUSTEE
- AZ JENKINS — TRUSTEE
- BARRY MUNGER — TRUSTEE
- BRENDAN KIELY — TRUSTEE
- CATERINA PETERS — TRUSTEE
- CRYSTAL WALD — TRUSTEE
- EMILY ESSNER — TRUSTEE
- JESSICA TAMBERLANE — TRUSTEE
- JOSH CENDER — TRUSTEE
- KATE BOSTOCK-SHEFFERMAN — TRUSTEE
- NICOLE ENGLISH — SECRETARY
- NISA BRYANT — TRUSTEE
- SABRINA RUDIN — TRUSTEE
- SHEELAH FEINBERG — TRUSTEE
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Bank Street College of Education Partner — Admissions Director Elise Bauer teaches the block-building course to graduate students at Bank Street College of Education.
- Bureau of Educational Experiments Partner — Early records from the Bureau of Educational Experiments, dating back to 1916, are preserved in the City and Country School Archives.
- Calhoun School Partner — Brendan Kiely worked for ten years as an administrator and high school teacher at the Calhoun School while also serving on C&C's Board of Trustees.
- Caroline Pratt Partner — Founder of City and Country School who established its educational philosophy
- Caroline Pratt Center for Progressive Education Partner — Operates the Block Connection program founded by City and Country School to advance Caroline Pratt's educational vision.
- Enrollment Management Association Network — Nisa Bryant participated in the People of Color in Admission Mentoring initiative through the Enrollment Management Association.
- Friends Seminary Partner — Nisa Bryant serves as Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Friends Seminary while also serving on C&C's Board of Trustees.
- Ian Symmonds & Associates Partner — Guided the school through its strategic planning process.
- Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York Network — Nisa Bryant was an active participant in ISAAGNY, chairing the Membership Committee and serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
- Lucy Sprague Mitchell Partner — Provided financial support and educational expertise to help establish and grow City and Country School.
- Progressive Education Movement Network — Recognized as a foundational part of the Progressive Education Movement in NYC since 1914.
- Seton Hall University Partner — Brendan Kiely serves as Distinguished Writer-In-Residence at Seton Hall University while also serving on C&C's Board of Trustees.
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.
- Collaborative, Community-Embedded School Culturemethodology: social_process_of_educationBy building a school community grounded in mutual respect, parent-teacher partnerships, and inclusive strategic planning, the school strengthens student outcomes because social connectedness and shared ownership enhance motivation, belonging, and alignment with educational goals.
- Experiential and Play-Based Learning for Holistic Developmentmethodology: experiential_learningBy engaging children in hands-on, play-based, and real-world experiences such as block-building, jobs programs, and open-ended exploration, the school fosters academic understanding, social-emotional growth, and personal responsibility because these activities mirror children's natural ways of learning and promote agency, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Integrated, Inquiry-Driven Curriculum Centered on Social Contextmethodology: inquiry_based_learningBy organizing learning around interdisciplinary projects, real-world problem solving, and a central social studies framework, the school enhances retention, motivation, and critical thinking because contextualized and inquiry-based learning helps students connect academic skills to cultural and communal meaning.
- Progressive Education Model with Developmental Continuitymethodology: progressive_educationBy maintaining a continuous, developmentally aligned educational experience from early childhood through early adolescence rooted in Caroline Pratt’s progressive philosophy, the school cultivates innovation, confidence, and leadership because long-term community membership and age-appropriate environments support identity formation and learner agency.