named programs · 11 · from sources
What they call their work
Art
Visual arts program encouraging creative expression through diverse media and techniques.
Drama
Theater and dramatic arts program fostering self-expression, collaboration, and storytelling through performance.
History, Social Studies and Geography
Interdisciplinary social studies curriculum exploring global cultures, historical events, and social justice themes through projects, primary sources, and experiential learning.
Language Arts
Comprehensive literacy program using a balanced approach to reading and writing, integrating grammar, spelling, and creative expression through journals, reports, and literature.
Mathematics
Concept-based math curriculum using manipulatives and real-world applications, progressing from foundational skills to Pre-Algebra and Algebra I in middle school.
Music
Creative music program engaging students in performance, composition, and exploration of musical expression.
Play and Physical Development
Program supporting gross and fine motor development through unstructured play, movement, and physical activities integrated into daily learning.
Poetry
Student poetry program exploring forms and techniques from diverse global traditions, with community readings, anthologies, and intergenerational workshops.
Science and the Natural World
Hands-on science program covering life, physical, and earth sciences, using the school’s five-acre campus as an outdoor classroom for ecological and sustainability studies.
Social Learning
Program focused on emotional and social development, conflict resolution, and community building through collaborative activities and teacher modeling.
Spanish
Developmental Spanish program using Total Physical Response and Comprehensible Input methods, integrating cultural celebrations and language practice from kindergarten through eighth grade.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Deliver nature-based summer programs for children ages 4–10Runs a five-week summer program each July for children ages 4 to 10, focused on nature exploration, environmental learning, and outdoor skills such as shelter building and forest navigation. Activities include woodland habitat studies, natural art projects, garden care, and themed weekly units, led by experienced Blue Rock School teachers since 2001.
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School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Host community and enrollment eventsOrganizes regular community-building and recruitment events including all-school welcome nights, multi-family yard sales, community workdays, and kindergarten information sessions with play days for prospective families.
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Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Operate independent day school with balanced intellectual, physical, and emotional developmentProvides a co-educational, independent day school program for students from kindergarten through eighth grade, emphasizing intellectual, physical, and emotional growth through small class sizes and personalized staff-student relationships. The school integrates arts and sciences into daily instruction using interdisciplinary, hands-on learning methods.
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Mathematics Curriculum Implementation and Enrichment 1 activity
- Prepare 8th grade students for Algebra I Regents examProvides Pre-Algebra and Algebra I instruction using the CPM curriculum and prepares 8th grade students for the Algebra I Regents exam through quizzes, practice exams, and problem-solving in small classes to build test-taking and mathematical reasoning skills.
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Sliding-Scale Tuition Programs 1 activity
- Provide tuition assistance to low-income familiesOffers financial aid to nearly 50% of enrolled students, with targeted support for low-income families, particularly in the half-day morning kindergarten program. Assistance enables access to the school’s educational programs for economically disadvantaged families.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Support student academic and personal development through structured assessments and mentoringPrepares and shares two written evaluations per student annually with parents, conducts three parent-teacher conferences per year, and maintains portfolios of student work for review. Older students mentor younger peers by assisting with projects and organizing school-wide events and discussions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.43M
Contributions & grants$40K3%
Program service revenue$1.22M85%
Investment income$174K12%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.77M
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.43M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.39M
Cash$365K
Investments$2.74M
Liabilities$609K
Net assets$3.78M
Liquid reserves21.1 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +20.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATY LAIGNEL | SCHOOL DIREC | 40 | $103K |
| ELIZABETH MCGUY | BUSINESS MAN | 40 | $73K |
board members · 7
- ADRI TURRELL — PRESIDENT
- JORGE SARVIDE — GROUNDS TRUS
- KENNETH LINGREN — DIRECTOR
- LEE WALKER — SECRETARY
- MARY GUTHRIE — TREASURER
- MEVE KINKAID — DIRECTOR
- WENDY DARBY — SCHOLARSHIPS
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AERO Network — Member of the Alternative Education Resource Organization
- Bank Street Network — Some Blue Rock teachers hold advanced degrees from Bank Street College of Education.
- Bronx High School of Science Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have been accepted into Bronx High School of Science.
- CPM (College Preparatory Math) Partner — Implements the CPM program in middle school mathematics to support conceptual understanding and collaborative problem-solving.
- Dwight Englewood Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended Dwight Englewood.
- Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center Partner — Collaborates with the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center
- Green Meadow School Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended Green Meadow School.
- Hackley Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended Hackley.
- Healthy Media Choices Network — Affiliated with Healthy Media Choices
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have been accepted into the High School of American Studies at Lehman College.
- Instagram Partner — Shares content through an official Instagram account to engage the community.
- Kaufman Center Special Music High School Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have been accepted into Kaufman Center Special Music High School.
- Keep Rockland Beautiful Partner — Partner organization focused on environmental stewardship
- NCACS Network — Member of the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools
- Nightingale-Bamford Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended Nightingale-Bamford.
- Nyack Chamber of Commerce Partner — Member of the Nyack Chamber of Commerce
- Outward Bound Partner — Alumni have worked as Outward Bound-trained teachers in the Bronx.
- Peace Corps Partner — Alumni have served in the Peace Corps in Africa and Thailand.
- Professional Performing Arts School Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have been accepted into Professional Performing Arts School.
- Rockland Country Day School Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended Rockland Country Day School.
- Saddle River Day School Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended Saddle River Day School.
- Sarah Lawrence Network — Some Blue Rock teachers hold advanced degrees from Sarah Lawrence College.
- School & Student Services (SSS) by NAIS Partner — Partner organization used to analyze financial aid applications and determine family contribution.
- School & Student Services (SSS) by NAIS Partner — Partners with SSS by NAIS to conduct financial analysis for financial aid applicants.
- Teaching Tolerance Network — Affiliated with Teaching Tolerance
- The Masters School Partner — Graduates of Blue Rock School have attended The Masters School.
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.
- Collaborative Learning Communitymethodology: collaborative_learningBy structuring classrooms as collaborative communities, the school balances individual needs with group dynamics because peer interaction strengthens social skills, collective responsibility, and deeper learning through dialogue.
- Differentiated and Individualized Instructionmethodology: differentiated_instructionBy tailoring instruction to individual learning paces, styles, and developmental needs within a shared classroom, the school enables academic growth for all students because flexibility in delivery respects neurodiversity and personal readiness.
- Emergent, Child-Centered Curriculummethodology: emergent_curriculumBy designing curriculum that emerges from student interests and developmental needs, the school fosters deeper engagement and authentic learning because it is responsive to the lived dynamics of students and teaching teams.
- Experiential and Outdoor Learning Modelmethodology: experiential_learningBy using the natural environment and hands-on projects as central to instruction, the school cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation because direct experience deepens cognitive and emotional connections to learning.
- Whole-Child Development Through Active Engagementmethodology: whole_child_engagementBy cultivating 'active attention' and positioning students as active learners, the school supports intellectual, physical, and emotional development because engaged participation builds self-awareness, collaboration, and intrinsic motivation.