named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Nido Program
Infant program for children 6 weeks to 18 months focusing on secure attachment, motor development, language acquisition, and independence in a home-like "nest" environment with a 3:1 or 4:1 child-to-teacher ratio.
Primary Classroom
Three-year program for children ages 3 to 6 covering practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, and cultural subjects, preparing students to read at a 2nd to 4th-grade level by completion.
Toddler Program
Program for children 18 months to 3 years emphasizing independence, language development, practical life skills, and social-emotional growth in a structured Montessori environment.
Wrap-Around Program
Extended childcare service for currently enrolled students outside regular school hours, offering a Montessori-consistent environment before and after school and during select school breaks.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Montessori Education Programs 2 activities
- Deliver Montessori-based early childhood educationProvides a comprehensive Montessori education for children using Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy, with child-sized, prepared environments and curriculum covering practical life, sensorial, language, math, geography, science, art, and music to support independent exploration and learning. The school operates in Rochester, NY, fostering confidence, respect, cooperation, and a positive attitude toward learning that supports successful transition to public school settings.
- Support infant development through Montessori-aligned care practicesImplements an adaptive infant care approach that promotes self-reliance and independence while maintaining strong caregiver bonds. Features include low furniture for self-feeding, soft outdoor surfaces with climbing equipment, “buggy rides” for exploration, on-site nursing accommodations, acceptance of expressed milk, and collaborative development of infant sleep regulation and self-soothing habits. Classrooms maintain ratios up to 3:1 with a maximum of 12 infants.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Develop outdoor learning and play environmentsDesigns and constructs outdoor spaces that support gross motor development, sensory exploration, and imaginative play, including wooden playscapes with slides and climbing structures, raised garden beds for planting vegetables and flowers, natural elements like tree trunks and rocks, and multi-use decks for creative activities. A completed garden mural adds a personalized element to the playground space.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Engage children in hands-on gardening activitiesFacilitates children's participation in planting and caring for vegetables, flowers, and herbs in the school’s garden beds, supported by parent volunteers. This experiential learning activity is integrated into the outdoor curriculum to promote environmental stewardship and sensory engagement.
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Recycling-Driven Fundraising Programs 1 activity
- Generate funds through community recycling and fundraising initiativesCollects recyclable cans and bottles to generate revenue for playground improvements and hosts community fundraising events, such as a benefit at Panera Bread, which raised approximately $225 for the school.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Provide parent education on child development and Montessori methodsHosts parent education events throughout the year focused on child development and the Montessori approach, supporting family engagement and alignment between home and school learning practices.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$651K
Contributions & grants$12K2%
Program service revenue$624K96%
Investment income$160%
Other revenue$15K
expenses
Total expenses$626K
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$430K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$278K
Cash$233K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$278K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +12.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROSA PICIRILLO | ADMINISTRATOR | 40 | $90K |
board members · 2
- JEN DUBRUCK — Treasurer
- LUCY GIONTA — President
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- Association Montessori Internationale Network — Follows educational standards and practices established by the Association Montessori Internationale founded by Dr. Maria Montessori.
- Bill Gray's Partner — Partnered with Bill Gray's for a fundraising event where a portion of revenue supports the playground project.
- Dr. Burton L. White Partner — Cited as an influential figure whose work on early childhood development informs the school's educational philosophy.
- Green Acre Farm & Nursery Partner — Donated more than a ton of gravel for use in the school's playground project.
- Green Acre Farm & Nursery Partner — Donated over a ton of gravel to enhance the school's playground space.
strategies · 3
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.
- Follow the Child Developmental Guidancemethodology: follow_the_childBy observing and tailoring learning experiences to each child’s unique developmental path—rather than age-based norms—we support sustained engagement and holistic growth because individualized guidance fosters autonomy, trust, and intrinsic motivation.
- Montessori-Based Individualized Learningmethodology: montessori_methodBy using the Montessori method—emphasizing self-directed learning, hands-on experiences, and individual developmental pacing—we produce deeper engagement and spontaneous understanding in children because it aligns with their innate learning potential and natural curiosity.
- Nature-Inspired Holistic Development Environmentmethodology: montessori_informed_nature_playBy designing outdoor play spaces that integrate Montessori principles with natural environments, we promote holistic child development because direct, unstructured interaction with nature enhances sensory, emotional, and cognitive growth within a prepared environment.