named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
After School & Enrichment Program
Directed by the Spanish teacher, this program offers extracurricular activities and enrichment opportunities for students beyond the school day.
BEDI (Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Program
School-wide initiative led by a faculty representative to promote inclusive practices and support equity in education.
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP)
Coordinated by the MYP Coordinator, this program supports interdisciplinary, student-centered learning for middle school students.
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP)
Offered under the coordination of the PYP Coordinator, this program provides a framework for inquiry-based learning for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 5.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Deliver extracurricular and enrichment programs on campusOffers a range of enrichment opportunities including high-level performing arts, life drawing, music recording, independent studies with college experts, professional athletic training, and theater participation. These programs are delivered either directly or through partnerships with on-campus organizations.
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 1 activity
- Deliver preK–8 educational program with inquiry-based, interdisciplinary curriculumProvides a comprehensive educational program for students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, emphasizing inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and critical thinking. Curriculum is organized around central themes and includes hands-on activities, field trips, writing, and real-world engagement to foster curiosity and deep understanding.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Deliver professional development for facultySupports teacher growth through ongoing professional development, including participation in The Writing Revolution workshops on the Hochman Method, collaboration across subjects, and training in advanced subject-matter expertise to enhance instructional quality.
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Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
- Develop and implement strategic educational plansAdvances institutional goals through strategic planning initiatives such as the PDS Grow plan, which aligns historical educational practices with current student and community needs, ensuring long-term sustainability and relevance.
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College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
- Expand educational offerings to include high school (The Navigator Institute)Launched The Navigator Institute, a new high school program beginning with 9th grade in September 2028, offering a writing-intensive, inquiry-based curriculum focused on critical thinking, teamwork, and preparation for higher education and leadership roles.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Integrate social justice, sustainability, and global citizenship into curriculumEmbeds anti-oppression pedagogy, cultural competence, ecological resilience, and food systems education into learning experiences to prepare students as socially responsible global citizens. Partners with organizations such as the Culinary Institute of America to teach sustainability and justice through cooking and food studies.
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Campus Construction and Renovation Projects 1 activity
- Maintain and modernize school facilities to support educational missionUndertakes capital improvements and strategic facility management, including completion of the Green Futures Campaign for energy efficiency, relocation to Kenyon House, and sale of the Gilkeson Center with shared access retained for theater and gymnasium use.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Operate service-learning and community engagement initiativesEngages students in service learning through partnerships with local organizations, fostering responsibility, empathy, and civic awareness. Includes project-based activities such as writing to public officials and participating in community events.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Provide progressive, child-centered education grounded in democratic and creative valuesOffers a progressive educational model focused on child-centered learning, creativity, intellectual effort, and democratic values. Emphasizes student ownership of learning, mixed-age classrooms, mentorship, and inclusive environments that support academic and social-emotional growth.
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School Governance & Strategic Oversight 1 activity
- Reopen and sustain operations after financial closureResumed school operations following a period of financial closure through collaborative efforts by alumni, faculty, and volunteers who developed a revised mission and governance structure to ensure continuity and resilience.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Implement International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in primary and middle yearsDelivers education through the International Baccalaureate framework, integrating IB themes and pedagogy across grade levels to connect classroom learning with global contexts, empathy, and cultural awareness. Appointed dedicated IB coordinators following candidate school designation in 2025 for both the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$974K
Contributions & grants$77K8%
Program service revenue$656K67%
Investment income$88K9%
Other revenue$153K
expenses
Total expenses$1.94M
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$804K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.29M
Cash$49K
Investments$736K
Liabilities$2.93M
Net assets$1.36M
Liquid reserves4.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +10.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPIRO GOURAS | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $100K |
board members · 10
- ANDREW HOOVER — TRUSTEE
- DR ADRIAN MANUEL — TRUSTEE
- DR KIMBERLY WILLIAMS BROWN — TRUSTEE
- DR VICTORIA ALEXANDER — VICE-CHAIR
- ERIK HUESTIS ESQ — CHAIR
- JASON BERRY — TREASURER
- KATE GRANTZ — SECRETARY
- MATTHEW SCRIVENS — TRUSTEE
- MAX OWEN-DUNOW — TRUSTEE
- SAMANTHA MELO — TRUSTEE
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Apex Kitchen Rx Partner — On-campus partner involved in culinary and health-focused programming for students.
- Culinary Institute of America Partner — Partner organization for student service learning and global citizenship programs
- Culinary Institute of America Partner — Pedagogic partner collaborating on student cooking activities and education about sustainable and just food systems.
- DAY ONE Early Learning Community Partner — Collaborates on teacher training through the Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP), which introduced Hunter Betrus to Poughkeepsie Day School.
- Dutchess Outreach Partner — Partner organization for student service learning and global citizenship programs
- Edge Athletics Partner — On-campus partner providing high-level basketball coaching and athletic programming for students.
- Edge Athletics Partner — Provides professional athletic training on campus for students at The Navigator Institute.
- Poughkeepsie community Partner — Engages in local partnerships and seeks mutual learning and sharing with neighbors in the Poughkeepsie community.
- Star 2B Partner — Provides access to high-level performing arts for students at The Navigator Institute.
- Star 2B Performing Arts Partner — On-campus partner providing theatrical and performing arts opportunities for students.
- Stringendo Partner — On-campus partner offering music education and performance opportunities for students.
- The Sensory Space Partner — On-campus partner providing social and emotional learning with sensory supports for students.
- The Writing Revolution Partner — Provides professional development workshops for PDS teachers on the Hochman Method of writing instruction.
- Town of Poughkeepsie Partner — Sold the Gilkeson Center to the town and entered into an agreement to retain shared use of the James Earl Jones Theater and gymnasium.
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.
- Anti-Oppression and Equity-Centered Pedagogymethodology: anti-oppression_pedagogyBy centering anti-oppression principles in education, the school advances equity, inclusion, and cultural competence because explicit attention to power, identity, and justice fosters empowerment and belonging within a diverse community.
- Experiential and Real-World Connected Learningmethodology: experiential_learningBy connecting academic learning to real-world experiences, community partnerships, and global contexts, the school increases relevance and engagement because students see the tangible impact and application of their education beyond the classroom.
- Inquiry-Based and Student-Centered Learningmethodology: inquiry_based_learningBy using inquiry-based and student-driven learning approaches, the school fosters critical thinking, self-awareness, and ownership of education because students engage more deeply when they explore questions they generate and connect learning to their interests and real-world contexts.
- Mixed-Age and Developmental Learning Modelmethodology: mixed-age_classroom_modelBy using mixed-age classrooms and a continuous educational program from early childhood through secondary school, the school fosters leadership, developmental empathy, and long-term engagement because students learn from peers at different stages and grow within a stable, nurturing community.
- Social-Emotional Learning Integrated with Academic Instructionmethodology: social-emotional_learning_integrationBy integrating social and emotional learning through restorative practices, Habits of Mind, and intergroup dialogue, the school builds empathy, resilience, and self-awareness because emotional and cognitive development are mutually reinforcing in a supportive learning environment.