named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Forest Toddlers
Full-day outdoor program for children ages 18 months to 3 years focused on nature-based exploration and curiosity-driven learning in woods, streams, and meadows.
Lower School
Program for grades K-5 that nurtures creativity and joy in discovery through a meaningful curriculum emphasizing observation, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Middle School
Grades 5-8 program that challenges students to inquire, think, reason, and act, fostering leadership, ethics, and responsibility through rigorous, integrated academics.
Planet Parker Summer
Summer program extending the school’s project-based curriculum, using the 77-acre campus for hands-on, experiential learning and discovery.
Pre-K
Play-based learning program that develops executive functioning skills through themed, child-led play grounded in the school’s progressive philosophy.
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Structured Student Enrollment Process 1 activity
- Conduct admissions outreach and evaluationHosts monthly Open Houses from November to April and specialized info sessions, and conducts full-day child visits for applicants in grades 1 through 8 as part of the admissions process.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Deliver hands-on science education for K-4 studentsOffers specialist-taught, project-based science instruction in a dedicated lab and natural areas, including student-led experimentation and data analysis for elementary students.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Deliver specialist-taught enrichment programs for K-4 studentsProvides weekly instruction in visual and performing arts, physical education, health, Spanish, music, and library skills for all K-4 students, culminating in an annual “show of work” exhibition.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Engage students in school-wide sustainability and civic activitiesInvolves students in weekly assemblies, campus recycling efforts, and peer-led educational events such as the annual Day in the Life of the Hudson trip where eighth graders teach younger students about water quality.
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Student-Led Identity and Enrichment Programming 1 activity
- Host curricular and community eventsOrganizes annual multi-day trips (e.g., to Boston) for eighth-grade students, hosts whole-community graduation ceremonies with student speeches, and conducts bi-monthly school assemblies led by students.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Integrate outdoor learning across curriculumEnsures daily outdoor play (30–45 minutes) and incorporates outdoor exploration into science, physical education, arts, and engineering projects using a 77-acre campus with gardens, ponds, and natural habitats.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Offer summer experiential learning programsRuns a nine-week, full-day summer program (9:00AM–3:15PM with extended care) for students from preschool through rising eighth grade, featuring hands-on, nature-based learning and imaginative play on a 77-acre campus under the Planet Parker and Planeteers/Little Planeteers branding.
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 1 activity
- Operate elementary and middle school programsProvides a student-centered elementary program (Kindergarten–Grade 4) focused on critical thinking and collaboration, and a project-based middle school program (Grades 5–8) with an integrated curriculum and personal approach to learning.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Operate outdoor forest toddler programProvides a fully outdoor educational program for children ages 18 months to 3 years, including mixed-age groups and caregiver participation, centered on exploration of woods, streams, and natural environments on a 77-acre campus.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Operate preschool (PreK) program for 3- and 4-year-oldsOffers a structured preschool program for children ages 3 to 4 years with flexible attendance options, indoor-outdoor activities, and weekly enrichment in music, library, and Spanish through play-based instruction.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Provide project-based learning across grade levelsImplements collaborative, small-group, project-based learning in mixed-grade classrooms (1st–4th) and middle school (5th–8th), integrating writing, presentations, and project construction to foster critical thinking and collaboration.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Run cross-age buddy programsFacilitates weekly buddy pairings between PreK students and older peers, as well as middle school and lower school students, to promote leadership, cross-age interaction, and community building through shared art, nature exploration, and reading.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.96M
Contributions & grants$234K8%
Program service revenue$2.52M85%
Investment income$63K2%
Other revenue$143K
expenses
Total expenses$2.61M
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead37%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$1.73M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.54M
Cash$1.56M
Investments$1.45M
Liabilities$899K
Net assets$4.64M
Liquid reserves13.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +4.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER GRESENS | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $127K |
| MATT THORNTON | TRUSTEE | 1 | $64K |
board members · 14
- ANNE MAXWELL FOSTER — TRUSTEE
- CARMEL SCHETTINO — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER JEANSONNE — TRUSTEE
- FLETCHER HAULLEY — TRUSTEE
- JARON KUPPERS — TRUSTEE
- JENNIFER DOYLE — TRUSTEE
- JOANN BENNETT — TRUSTEE
- KRISTEN WILLIAMS — TRUSTEE
- LISA BROWN — TRUSTEE
- MICHELLE SWEENEY — TRUSTEE
- NICOLE LEVY — TRUSTEE
- RAY CASTRO — TRUSTEE
- STACIA SNOW — TRUSTEE
- THOMAS LANNI — TRUSTEE
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Albany Academies Partner — One of the most frequently attended private schools for Parker School graduates.
- Averill Park Central School District Partner — Shares special education and resource room services through a partnership with Sharon Santacroce.
- Darrow School Partner — One of the most frequently attended private schools for Parker School graduates.
- Doane Stuart School Partner — One of the most frequently attended private schools for Parker School graduates.
- Emily C. Partner — Parent contributor sharing perspective on the PreK program experience
- Emma Willard School Partner — One of the most frequently attended private schools for Parker School graduates.
- Holy Names Academy Partner — One of the most frequently attended private schools for Parker School graduates.
- LaSalle School Partner — One of the most frequently attended private schools for Parker School graduates.
- Parker School Network — Refers to the school as a community of students, families, faculty, and staff engaged in shared educational mission.
- Parker School Partner — Planet Parker Summer Program is operated by Parker School as a summer extension of its academic programming.
- The Children's School at Emma Willard Partner — Founding educators and parents from The Children's School at Emma Willard helped create Robert C. Parker School.
- US News Partner — Featured in a US News article providing guidance on what to ask during K-12 school tours.
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.
- Nature-Based, Outdoor-Integrated Educationmethodology: nature_based_learningBy using nature and outdoor environments as primary learning spaces, the school supports holistic child development, joy in learning, and inquiry because direct, sensory-rich experiences in natural settings enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
- Progressive, Experiential Learning Modelmethodology: progressive_educationBy emphasizing active, experience-based learning over rote instruction, the school develops critical thinking and independent thought because students construct knowledge through doing, reflecting, and applying ideas in real-world contexts.
- Student-Centered, Inquiry-Driven Learningmethodology: student_centered_learningBy grounding curriculum in students' interests, curiosities, and lived experiences, the school fosters deeper engagement, creative thinking, and purposeful learning because intrinsic motivation and personal relevance lead to more meaningful intellectual and social development.