ABOUT HIGH MEADOW SCHOOL
OUR MISSION
​High Meadow School is a nursery through 8th-grade independent school that celebrates childhood, the joy of learning and play, and the power of community in a student-centered environment. We honor and welcome each child’s unique voice, identity, and approach to constructing knowledge.
Drawing on current pedagogical research, we center diversity, equity, civic engagement, nature, and the arts in the school’s dynamic curriculum and culture. High Meadow students graduate with a strong academic foundation and a developed sense of self, ready to contribute their passions and values to building thriving, sustainable, and equitable communities.
ANNUAL REPORT
OUR 2025–26 BUDGET: MISSION IN ACTION
High Meadow School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to progressive education, equity, and sustainability. Each year, our budget reflects more than numbers; it’s a narrative of our values, choices, and aspirations.
For the 2025–26 school year, our budget supports:
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Student-Centered Growth: With projected enrollment of 149 students, we anticipate $2.46M in net tuition revenue, enabling balanced operations and strategic investments in programming and personnel.
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Expanded Access: We’ve increased financial aid to $345,000—12% of program revenue, ensuring that one-third of our students receive meaningful support.
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Staff Investment: Our team has grown to 38.9 FTEs, with new division directors and expanded student support services. Faculty received a 3.5% average salary increase.
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Auxiliary Program Expansion: Athletics, Enrichment, and Aftercare programs are projected to generate $430K in revenue, helping to close programming gaps and promote whole-child development.
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Fundraising Momentum: Building on last year’s record-breaking success, we’ve set a goal of $275,000 (8% of total revenue) to fund campus improvements and equitable access.
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Strategic Planning: We’ve partnered with Leadership + Design to launch a community-
wide strategic planning process, aligning financial decisions with long-term vision. -
Sustainability + Stewardship: Our reserve funds are at their strongest point in school history, thanks to thoughtful investment strategies, refinancing, and federal support through the ERC program.
We invite you to explore the full budget presentation, which includes detailed financials and narrative context. It’s a reflection of our mission in action—and a roadmap for the future we’re building together.
HISTORY
High Meadow School was founded in 1984 by Mimi Labourdette, along with other families who shared her appreciation for John Dewey’s philosophy of progressive education. The area’s natural beauty inspired both the name and the curriculum of High Meadow School, and the first campus was located at Brook Farm at the base of Mohonk Mountain.
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In 1992, High Meadow moved to the current location in Stone Ridge, New York, expanding to three school buildings, a performing arts and athletic center, a music building, a yurt, and a gazebo.
CAMPUS
Our curriculum emphasizes the natural world around us, and we use our campus for field studies, science teaching, and outdoor play. Students, faculty, and parents all work to maintain the gardens and fields, building relationships and fostering sustainability.
FOREST
A two-acre, state-recognized bird sanctuary was established by the third and eighth grades in 2008.
PO-PO VILLAGE
Our students have built a village in the woods surrounding the campus, where students create structures from found materials, make the rules, and have the freedom to pretend.
TRAILS
Allows for nature studies, bird observations, and artistic inspiration.
GARDENS
Two organic gardens are tended by students and teachers, who experiment, observe, nurture, and enjoy their bounty.