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LITTLE RIVER COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Canton, NY · EIN 161559688 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B20 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · littleriverschool.org
revenue
$302K
expenses
$210K
net assets
$186K
employees
6
volunteers
20
program ratio
100%
mission · from form 990

Mission - Little River Community School is a democratic school serving students in grades K-12, in a four-classroom schoolhouse, in Canton, NY. At Little River, we have a fundamental trust in children and their inherent motivation to learn about their world. Our approach nurtures self-motivation and is characterized by the following: Multi-age groups Commitment to nonviolence and nondiscrimination cooperation community involvement Appreciation of our natural and physical world Hands-on activities children are given the opportunity to embark on their quest for knowledge and understanding at their own pace. We provide many resources for this journey, including experience, support, encouragement, a variety of hands-on learning materials and opportunities for field trips. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, we create the "one-room school house" model where students of all ages work together.

profile · synthesized from sources

Little River Community School is a democratic K-12 school in Canton, NY, serving students in a multi-age, student-driven environment. The school emphasizes self-motivation, hands-on learning, and community involvement, with a low 8:1 student-teacher ratio and individualized curricula developed by students, parents, and teachers. It offers a flexible high school program with college courses, internships, and field trips, preparing students for college and life beyond.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Community Service Learning
Students participate in service activities such as assisting elderly neighbors and serving meals at Campus Kitchen dinners, integrating civic engagement into the curriculum.
High School Program
Individualized, flexible program for grades 9–12 that supports college preparation, internships, and independent learning. Students may take college courses at St. Lawrence University and engage in community service.
Satellite Program
A hybrid learning option for families to study at home part-time while remaining integrated into school activities, classes, and field trips. Includes curriculum support, consulting teachers, and assessments, recognized by the New York State Board of Regents.
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Student and Camp Transportation Services 1 activity
    • Coordinate student transportation
      Facilitates free busing for students living within a 15-mile radius through coordination with local school districts.
  • Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
    • Deliver individualized academic instruction
      Provides instruction in math, reading, and writing in small groups or one-on-one settings to meet diverse learning needs.
  • Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
    • Facilitate community service and civic engagement
      Offers students opportunities to participate in community service, including assisting elderly neighbors and serving meals at Campus Kitchen dinners.
  • Equine Education and Riding Instruction 1 activity
    • Incorporate animal care into education curriculum
      Engages students in caring for two miniature donkeys as a teaching tool for equine safety, responsibility, and experiential learning.
  • Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
    • Operate a democratic K-12 school
      Operates a democratic school serving 39 students in grades K-12 in Canton, NY, with mixed-age, mixed-skill-level classrooms and an 8:1 student-teacher ratio to support collaborative learning.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Organize educational field trips and travel programs
      Organizes annual fall camping trips in the Adirondacks, spring trips to cities or distant locations, and cultural field trips to places such as Akwesasne, Ottawa, and Puerto Rico for older students.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Promote student leadership and self-governance
      Teaches leadership and communication skills through student participation in and facilitation of community meetings, fostering democratic engagement and personal development.
  • Homeschool Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide part-time enrollment and home-learning support
      Offers a Satellite Program providing part-time enrollment, curriculum support, consulting teachers, and assessments for families engaged in home-based learning.
  • High School Dual Enrollment Programs 1 activity
    • Support college enrollment and internships for high school students
      Enables high school students to take college classes at St. Lawrence University at no cost and participate in internships, including with organizations such as North Country Public Radio, as part of graduation requirements.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Foster student autonomy in learning
      Provides students with freedom and control over their curriculum to develop time-management, self-pacing skills, and personal responsibility within a supportive environment.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$302K
Contributions & grants$106K35%
Program service revenue$195K64%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$210K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$173K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$186K
Cash$186K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$186K
Liquid reserves10.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +36.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Steve Molnar President/Treasurer 40 $34K
board members · 4
  • Jan Rutella — Director
  • Kerstin Tengeler — Secretary
  • Rainbow Crabtree — Director
  • Veigh Lee — Director
relationships · 5

Who they work with

  • Birdsfoot Farm Partner — Adjacent intentional community and organic farm that provides shared access to gardens and hiking trails for student learning.
  • New York State Board of Regents Government — Recognizes Little River's Satellite Program, indicating formal approval or accreditation.
  • North Country Public Radio Partner — Hosts student internships as part of Little River Community School's graduation requirements.
  • Northeast Association Democratic Education Conference Network — Member organization of NADEC, a network supporting democratic education.
  • St. Lawrence University Partner — Provides free college classes to Little River Community School high school students.
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.

  • Democratic, Student-Centered Education Model
    methodology: democratic_education
    By using a democratic, self-directed learning environment with multi-age classrooms and low student-teacher ratios, the school fosters intrinsic motivation and cooperation because students experience autonomy, trust, and community ownership over their learning.
  • Family-Partnered Education Approach
    methodology: family-partnered education
    By involving parents as active partners in curriculum development and school operations, the school strengthens educational outcomes and community cohesion because family engagement deepens student support and aligns learning with lived context.
  • Individualized, Collaborative Curriculum Design
    methodology: individualized_learning
    By developing curricula in collaboration with students, parents, and teachers—attuned to emotional needs and interests—the school supports sustained engagement and growth because learning is personalized and contextually meaningful.
  • Peer Mentoring Through Mixed-Age, Mixed-Skill Classrooms
    methodology: peer_mentoring
    By structuring classrooms with mixed ages and skill levels, the school enables peer mentoring and collaborative learning because younger or less experienced students learn through modeling and support, while older students develop leadership and empathy.
  • Place-Based Outdoor Learning Integration
    methodology: place-based outdoor education
    By using adjacent farmland and natural trails as core learning environments, the school enhances engagement and contextual understanding because real-world, nature-immersive experiences deepen cognitive and emotional connections to academic content.