named programs · 9 · from sources
What they call their work
Early Childhood Program
Serves children ages three to six with play-based learning, storytelling, and creative activities emphasizing imagination and emotional development.
Elementary Grades Program
Covers grades 1–6 with an integrated curriculum including math, science, language arts, Spanish, arts, music, handwork, and movement, all taught through a Waldorf developmental framework.
Farm & Stewardship Curriculum
Hands-on environmental education on the school’s 80-acre campus, including maple sugaring, gardening, forestry, and sustainable practices.
Handwork Program
Progressive crafts curriculum teaching knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, weaving, and machine sewing from early grades through eighth grade.
Middle School Program
Serves grades 7–8, building on elementary foundations with advanced academics, critical thinking, and increased focus on global perspectives and self-understanding.
Movement & Games
Physical education program developing gross motor skills, cooperation, and healthy lifestyle habits through imaginative play, games, and structured movement.
Music Program
Includes singing, recorder, string instruments (violin, viola, cello), guitar ensembles, music theory, and performance, fostering creativity and ensemble skills.
Parent-Child Program
For children aged 20 months to three years, focusing on early socialization, rhythm, and play-based learning in a nurturing environment.
Spanish Language Program
Foreign language instruction from first to eighth grade, emphasizing cultural context, oral fluency, reading, writing, and intercultural understanding.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 2 activities
- Early Childhood Parent-Child ClassesOffers weekly parent-child classes for children from 20 months to 3 years (including babies and toddlers), featuring puppet shows, movement circles, stories, seasonal songs, shared snacks, art, and social time. Sessions are offered in fall, winter, and spring, led by designated instructors.
- Preschool and Kindergarten Education (Ages 3–6)Operates play-based, sensory-rich early childhood programs for children ages 3–6 that support development in social, imaginative, and sensory domains. Curriculum includes fairy and folk tales from diverse cultures, adapted to reflect inclusive family structures and gender representations, daily circle time, artistic activities (painting, beeswax modeling, fiber arts), group cooking projects, and a structured daily rhythm including outdoor play and snack preparation.
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 2 activities
- Elementary Education (Grades 1–5)Provides interdisciplinary, hands-on elementary education for grades 1–5 using an arts- and nature-infused curriculum that meets and exceeds New York State Learning Standards. Includes instruction in world geography, Spanish language, handwork (knitting, sewing, weaving), string ensemble (violin, viola, cello), developmental movement and games, reading/math support, choral music, botany, and global trickster tales from diverse cultural traditions.
- Middle School Education (Grades 6–8)Offers rigorous middle school education for grades 6–8 with a comprehensive academic curriculum aligned with New York State requirements, including advanced subjects such as physics, geology, astronomy, Renaissance history, mechanics, organic chemistry, algebra, geometry, and modern history (revolutions, colonization, 20th century). Students prepare for NYS Regents exams and complete a year-long independent capstone research project with written, oral, and physical components as a graduation requirement. Includes an 8th-grade trip to mark the transition to high school.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community Engagement and Family SupportOrganizes community-building events such as the Elves’ Fair, potlucks, parent discussions, and enrichment opportunities. Supports new families through mentoring and outreach, and hosts speakers to deepen understanding of Waldorf education.
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Before and After School Childcare 1 activity
- Extended Day Programs: Morning Care and AftercareProvides Morning Care starting at 7:30am with supervision and a light breakfast snack for early arrivals. Offers Aftercare programming for children ages 3–6 from 3:10pm to 5:30pm, including structured activities and supervision. The school day runs from 9am to 3:10pm for Elementary and Middle School students.
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Subsidized Child Care Services 1 activity
- Financial Assistance and Tuition SupportAccepts Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding to support tuition for eligible families in both Early Childhood and Aftercare programs, expanding access to low-income households.
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School Governance & Strategic Oversight 1 activity
- School Governance and Strategic ManagementProvides governance, financial management, and strategic direction for the school to ensure operational sustainability and educational mission alignment.
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Specialized Instruction and Enrichment ProgramsOffers specialized instruction across multiple disciplines including handwork (progressive curriculum culminating in student-designed textile projects), string and guitar ensembles, Spanish language (K–8 with high school credit equivalency), farm and land stewardship on 80 acres (maple syrup, garlic, pumpkins, composting), forestry (tree planting and care), and developmental movement and games focused on gross motor and social-emotional growth.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.13M
Contributions & grants$81K7%
Program service revenue$1.04M92%
Investment income$6K1%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$1.26M
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$926K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.81M
Cash$201K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.44M
Net assets$373K
Liquid reserves1.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +31.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 4
- BEN CAPPUCITTI — TREASURER
- IAN TOMPKINS — VICE PRESIDENT
- NATHANIEL THOMPSON — PRESIDENT
- RAVINDER KINGRA — SECRETARY
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- Aileen Funk Partner — Administrative Assistant
- Anna Raymer Partner — Teaches Handwork and Movement & Games
- Annie Sumi Partner — EC Co-Lead Teacher in the Early Childhood program
- Association of Waldorf Schools of North America Network — Member school of AWSNA, which sets accreditation principles including a commitment to diversity and equity.
- Chad Cully Partner — After School Teacher
- Community Members Partner — Community members serve on the Board of Trustees and support the school's mission and governance.
- Courtney (Coco) Kersten Partner — 2nd/3rd Grade teacher
- Craig McMeekin Partner — Teaches Guitar Ensemble
- David Hayes Partner — Facilities Manager
- Devon English Partner — Teaches String Ensemble
- Emily Thompson Partner — Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator
- Faculty Members Partner — Faculty members serve on the Board of Trustees and contribute to governance and strategic direction.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share current activities, announcements, and events with the community.
- Karen Hollenbeck Partner — Facilities Maintenance
- Katherine Arriaga Partner — 4th Grade teacher
- Kelsey White Partner — EC Assistant Teacher in the Early Childhood program
- Kim Knight Partner — Provides Reading/Math Support
- Laura Hayes Partner — School Director
- Lauralee Guttridge Partner — Lead Teacher and EC Faculty Chair in the Early Childhood program
- Lorelli Cervantes Partner — Student Aide
- Melanie Ryan Partner — Teaches Farm & Land Stewardship and Art
- Michael Van Donsel Partner — Business Manager
- Parent Council Partner — Facilitates parent involvement in school life through organizing events, supporting communication, mentoring new families, and deepening understanding of Waldorf education.
- Parents Partner — Parents serve on the Board of Trustees and participate in school governance.
- Sassa Ocampo Partner — EC Co-Lead Teacher in the Early Childhood program
- Tompkins County Department of Social Services Government — Administers the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding accepted by the school.
- Victoria Dehan Partner — 7th/8th Grade teacher
- Xochitl Cruz-Gallo Partner — After School Teacher
- inter-Waldorf athletic event Network — Participates in a network-level athletic event with other Waldorf schools, fostering community and shared values.
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.
- Arts-Integrated Experiential Learningmethodology: arts_integrated_experiential_learningBy embedding music, storytelling, practical arts, and movement into academic subjects, the school strengthens engagement and understanding because multisensory, hands-on experiences activate deeper cognitive processing, creativity, and long-term retention.
- Developmentally-Graded Waldorf Curriculummethodology: developmentally_graded_curriculumBy aligning academic content and pedagogy with children’s developmental stages, the school fosters deeper cognitive, emotional, and physical growth because learning is introduced when students are naturally ready to absorb it. This includes delaying formal academics, using rhythmic structure and play in early years, and transitioning to project-based, multidisciplinary work in later grades.
- Family and Community-Engaged Governance and Educationmethodology: family_community_governanceBy involving families in governance, parent education, and school life, the school reinforces educational continuity and community ownership because aligned home-school values strengthen student motivation, behavioral consistency, and long-term engagement.
- Mirrors and Windows Curriculum for Identity and Cultural Understandingmethodology: mirrors_and_windowsBy designing a curriculum that offers both mirrors (self-reflection) and windows (exposure to others), the school supports healthy identity formation and intercultural competence because students develop self-worth while building empathy and critical awareness of diverse perspectives.
- Social-Emotional and Ethical Development Through Relationship and Rhythmmethodology: social_emotional_development_through_rhythmBy cultivating warm, consistent relationships, predictable rhythms, and co-regulation through teacher looping and nurturing environments, the school supports social-emotional growth and ethical behavior because safety and belonging are prerequisites for self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making.