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SEPHARDIC ACADEMY OF MANHATTAN INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 352392220 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE B21 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · thesamschool.org
revenue
$8.8M
expenses
$6.3M
net assets
$13.2M
employees
41
volunteers
14
program ratio
100%
mission · from form 990

EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

profile · synthesized from sources

The Sephardic Academy of Manhattan Inc, operating as The SAM School, provides early childhood, elementary, and middle school education rooted in Sephardic-Judaic tradition and Torah values. The school serves students in New York City with a dual curriculum emphasizing academic excellence in secular subjects—such as STEM, humanities, and the arts—and rigorous Judaic studies taught in Hebrew. Founded in 2010, the school has expanded to two campuses on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, serving a growing community of families seeking a values-based, intellectually rigorous Jewish education.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Early Childhood Program
Preschool program on the 74th Street campus emphasizing play-based learning, Sephardic traditions, and social-emotional development in a nurturing environment
Elementary School
Kindergarten through 4th grade program using Singapore Math and integrated literacy, with thematic exploratory units and project-based learning on the 96th Street campus
Hesed & Community Engagement
Character education and service-learning program where students practice kindness through intergenerational outreach, food packing, and community projects
Judaic Studies K-8
Text-based, immersive Hebrew-language curriculum covering Chumash, Navi, Halacha, Mishnah, and Jewish history, fostering personal and intellectual engagement with Torah
Middle School
Grades 5–8 program offering interdisciplinary studies in humanities, STEM, and the arts, with individualized instruction and a focus on critical thinking and leadership
The Arts at SAM
Comprehensive arts program including piano instruction with Carnegie Hall educators, Orff ensembles, visual arts, museum visits, and student-led “SAM Talks” modeled on TED-style presentations
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Sliding-Scale Tuition Programs 1 activity
    • Administer enrollment and tuition assistance processes
      Manages student enrollment for grades Toddler through 7th, reserving spots for returning students who confirm re-enrollment by December 1st. Offers need-based tuition assistance assessed through a confidential third-party review process to support access for families in need.
  • Jewish Dual-Curriculum Education 1 activity
    • Deliver K-8 educational programs across early childhood, elementary, and middle school levels
      Provides comprehensive education for students from toddler through 7th grade, including early childhood (ages 2–5), elementary, and middle school divisions. Operates multiple campuses in Manhattan, serving over 100 students annually, with dedicated facilities on East 74th and East 96th Streets. The curriculum integrates Torah studies, literacy, STEM, the arts, and experiential learning.
  • Youth Debate and Public Speaking Programs 1 activity
    • Develop student public speaking, leadership, and presentation skills
      Empowers students to become confident thinkers and leaders through "SAM Talks," a structured public speaking program that includes coaching from teachers and professional guidance from Applause NY. Students develop research, organization, and presentation skills, culminating in filmed talks presented at a premiere night event featuring a red carpet, autograph signing, and community celebration.
  • Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
    • Foster Jewish identity and religious literacy through experiential Judaic education
      Provides experiential Judaic studies including prayer instruction, siddur navigation for first-grade students, and milestone events such as the First Grade Siddur Celebration where students recite prayers, perform, and receive siddurim to affirm their growing Jewish literacy and participation in communal prayer.
  • Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Support student academic and personal development through specialized programming
      Offers a state-of-the-art STEM lab, music education in partnership with Carnegie Hall educators (including individual piano instruction and ensemble participation for kindergarten students), cultural field trips to museums and opera houses, and city-based experiential learning such as nature walks and civic engagement. Uses New York City as an extension of the classroom to deepen student engagement.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Engage grandparents and families in school community life
      Automatically enrolls all grandparents into the Dor L'Dor Grandparent Community without registration or financial requirement. Offers biannual events, a twice-yearly newsletter, and recognition for Giving Circle members through inclusion on the Dor L'Dor Honor Scroll, a customized photo gift, and acknowledgment at the Grandparent Summit.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$8.81M
Contributions & grants$5.06M58%
Program service revenue$3.88M44%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-137K
expenses
Total expenses$6.30M
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$3.94M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$23.78M
Cash$444K
Investments$0
Liabilities$10.56M
Net assets$13.22M
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
6 years on record · 2018–2023 · YoY revenue +134.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHELLE DAYAN Executive Dir. 40 $87K
board members · 13
  • ALBERT SUTTON — BOARD MEMBER
  • ALEX ADJMI — BOARD MEMBER
  • BEN ASHKENAZY — BOARD MEMBER
  • BOBBY CAYRE — BOARD MEMBER
  • DANIEL LEVY — BOARD MEMBER
  • HAIM CHERA — Chairman
  • HARRY ADJMI — BOARD MEMBER
  • JACK DAYAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOSEPH A COHEN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOSEPH CHETRIT — BOARD MEMBER
  • KENNETH CAYRE — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARSHALL ARONOW — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEVEN NAKASH — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 18

Who they work with

  • Applause NY Partner — Provides professional direction to students preparing for SAM Talks.
  • Carnegie Hall Partner — Collaborates with Carnegie Hall educators to deliver music instruction, including piano lessons and ensemble training.
  • Facts Management (FACTS) Partner — Third-party administrator for processing confidential tuition assistance applications.
  • Michelle Dayan Partner — Serves as Executive Director and represents the school in public communications.
  • Moise and Chella Safra Building Partner — Provides physical space for the Early Childhood program on the 74th Street campus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Albert Sutton Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. David Shalom Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Harry Adjmi Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Zemmol Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Cohen Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Leon Adams Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Aronow Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Morris Cohen Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. & Mrs. Raanan Agus Partner — Founding members of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Mr. George Klein Partner — Founding member of the Dor L'Dor Giving Circle
  • Parent Association Partner — Parents participate through the Parent Association to help shape school culture, celebrate holidays, and create community experiences.
  • Rabbi Elie Abadie Partner — Co-founded the school in 2010 as a preschool with a group of visionary parents.
  • Third-Party Platforms Partner — Partners with third-party platforms for application processing and account creation.
strategies · 2

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.

  • Child-Centered, Experiential Learning with Student Voice
    methodology: student_centered_experiential_learning
    By using personalized, experiential learning methods and creating opportunities for student-led public presentation, the school fosters deep engagement, skill development, and empowerment, because students retain more and grow confidence when they are emotionally invested and recognized as having valuable voices.
  • Culturally and Faith-Integrated Education
    methodology: culturally_integrated_faith_education
    By integrating Sephardic-Judaic traditions, Torah values, and halakha with secular academics and modern inquiry, the school builds strong Jewish identity and ethical character, because cultural rootedness combined with intellectual engagement produces holistic, meaningful education aligned with communal heritage.