2024-05-02T09:23:13+00:00 2023-06-30 350921680 CROWE LLP 135 N Pennsylvania Street Suite 200 Indianapolis IN 462042407 990 2022-07-01 351627876 Sycamore Schools Inc SYCA 3172535288 1750 West 64th Street Indianapolis IN 46260 Patrick Juday CFO 2024-05-02 true Patrick Juday 999009999 Kim Scifres P01316095 3176321100 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z Sycamore School Diane Borgmann 1750 West 64th Street Indianapolis IN 46260 14008614 false X www.sycamoreschool.org X 1985 IN Sycamore School exists so that academically gifted children can experience the enriched, accelerated education they need to reach their potential and lead responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives. 15 14 126 102 0 0 1521753 1614586 8694765 9317351 744238 345902 876 38881 10961632 11316720 936265 987893 0 5686589 6244936 36927 26508 578173 2968821 3225097 9628602 10484434 1333030 832286 12475285 13296488 2456615 2133040 10018670 11163448 Sycamore School exists so that academically gifted children can experience the enriched, accelerated education they need to reach their potential and lead responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives. false false 3426054 308412 4318358 THE SYCAMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES ACADEMICALLY GIFTED YOUNG ADOLESCENTS IN FIFTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADES AND PROVIDES THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO BRANCH OUT FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE LOWER GRADES. STUDENTS MOVE FROM CLASS TO CLASS AND RECEIVE INSTRUCTION FROM MANY TEACHERS. THE PROGRAM IS RIGOROUS AND BOTH ACCELERATED AND ENRICHED IN A MANNER SPECIFICALLY DIFFERENTIATED FOR GIFTED LEARNERS. A MAIN FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS LEARNING TO DEVELOP PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND RELIANCE UPON ADULTS FOR GUIDANCE AND LIMITS. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED ADOLESCENTS AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR INCREASING ABILITY FOR COMPLEX THOUGHT. IN A MORE TYPICAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WITH A BROADER MISSION, CURRICULUM AND ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY CHALLENGING TO PROVIDE FOR INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS AND HABITS STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONs FROM SPECIALISTS IN SPANISH, ART APPRECIATION, MUSIC AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. EACH CLASSROOM IS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR COMPUTERS, AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS GO TO THE COMPUTER LAB FOR ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION. CHILDREN IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF PRESCHOOL BEGIN COMPUTER INSTRUCTION USING IPADS IN THEIR CLASSROOM. 2297349 276071 1758329 THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DIVISION OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL IS DIRECTED TOWARD STUDENTS RANGING IN AGE FROM 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN. THE CURRICULUM PROVIDES ENRICHING, STIMULATING ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES FOR THE YOUNG GIFTED CHILD. CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO PLAY, WORK, AND LEARN IN A SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE THAT SETS FREE A CHILD'S CURIOSITY AND INTERESTS, ENCOURAGING EXPLORATION AND EXPERIMENTATION. THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO PRODUCE HAPPY, SELF-CONFIDENT CHILDREN WITH POSITIVE FEELINGS TOWARD THEMSELVES, LEARNING AND SCHOOL. THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN UNITS OF STUDY AND USE A VARIETY OF MATERIALS. PRESCHOOL STUDENTS READ AND WRITE TO THE EXTENT OF THEIR ABILITY. HANDWRITING INSTRUCTION BEGINS IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN. READING AND MATH INSTRUCTION BEGIN IN KINDERGARTEN, AND CHILDREN ARE GROUPED WITH OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR SKILLS. SYCAMORE'S MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO GIVE STUDENTS A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER STUDY AND ENABLES THEM TO FUNCTION AS AUTONOMOUS LEARNERS. AT SYCAMORE, SUBJECTS DO NOT EXIST AS COMPLETELY SEPARATE ENTITIES, BUT OVERLAP AND INTERRELATE AS THE STUDENT BEGINS TO MAKE GREATER SENSE OF THE LARGER WORLD. IN ADDITION TO LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE LEARNING, THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPS STUDENTS' ABILITIES TO THINK CRITICALLY, EVALUATE, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, REASON, SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND VALUE THE DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS, HERITAGES, AND EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. STUDENTS RECEIVE DAILY INSTRUCTION IN HISTORY, LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE. MATH CLASSES ARE GROUPED ACROSS GRADE LEVELS ACCORDING TO STUDENTS' LEVEL OF SKILL AND CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE A YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA. ADVANCED STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE GEOMETRY AND ALGEBRA II. SPECIAL CLASSES MEET BETWEEN ONE TO THREE PERIODS PER WEEK THAT INCLUDE ART, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND SPANISH. STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AND/OR CHOIR. SYCAMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN MANY AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A FULL RANGE OF SPORTS, DRAMA, AND VARIOUS ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS. SERVICE PROJECTS, SPEAKERS, TRIPS, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE OVERNIGHT TRIPS TO VARIOUS CITIES WITHIN INDIANA AND OTHER LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE FLORIDA KEYS, THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, CULVER ACADEMY AND WASHINGTON D.C. 2165951 403410 3279055 THE LOWER SCHOOL DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL IS COMPRISED OF STUDENTS IN GRADES FIRST THROUGH FOURTH. THE EDUCATION AT THIS LEVEL IS BASED UPON SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS IN KEY COMPONENTS OF A TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM: CONTENT: THE CONTENT OF THE CURRICULUM IS COORDINATED AROUND READING AND OTHER LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES AND THE ARTS. STUDENTS STUDY CONTENT THAT IS MORE ABSTRACT, MORE COMPLEX, BROADER AND DEEPER THAN THE NORM. STUDIES ARE BOTH ACCELERATED AND ENRICHED THROUGH FLEXIBLE GROUPING STRATEGIES, FIELD TRIPS, RESOURCE PERSONNEL, MENTORS AND WRITTEN AND VISUAL MEDIA. INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC, ART, SPANISH, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS PROVIDED BY SPECIALISTS IN THOSE AREAS. THINKING SKILLS: AFTER ESTABLISHING A SOLID KNOWLEDGE BASE, EMPHASIS IS ON CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS, PROBLEM SOLVING AND LOGICAL REASONING, RESEARCH SKILLS AND A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS. PRODUCTS: STUDENTS ARE ASSISTED IN INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP INVESTIGATIONS OF REAL PROBLEMS THAT NECESSITATE RESEARCH AND INVOLVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRODUCT. THEY LEARN TO DEVELOP PRODUCTS IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES: WRITTEN, ORAL, MEDIA/VISUAL ARTS AND PERFORMING ARTS. ENVIRONMENT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIVE SELF ESTEEM, INDEPENDENCE, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, LEADERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY, APPRECIATION OF DIVERSITY, AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF ONE'S GIFTEDNESS ARE AIMS OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL. TEACHERS PROMOTE CONCERN AND COMPASSION, RISK-TAKING, CURIOSITY, ORGANIZATION, COMMUNICATION AND IMAGINATION BY ESTABLISHING CLASSROOMS THAT ARE COMPLEX, OPEN-ENDED, AND ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENTS. 7889354 true true false false false false false false false true false false false true true true false true false false false false true true false false false true true true false false false false false false true false false true true false false false false false false false false true 25 0 true 126 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 15 14 false false false false true true false true true false false false true true true true true false false false IN X Patrick Juday 3172535288 1750 WEST 64TH STREET Indianapolis IN 46260 Catherine Pangan President / Trustee 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Kristie Speirs Neumeister Secretary / Trustee 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Tom Kaplan Treasurer / Trustee 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Bob Moorthy Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Christine Smith Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Cory Martinson Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Greg Merrell Trustee (President Elect) 1.0 X 0 0 0 Jeff Hagerman Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Laura Conder Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Mark Sniderman Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Marla Thompson Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Ruel Williamson Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Sumi Maun Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Tina Tandy Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Wayne Patrick Trustee 1.0 X 0 0 0 Diane Borgmann Head of School 60.0 X 284958 0 50419 Patrick Juday CFO 50.0 X 125708 0 37997 Helen Kuhn Lee Director of Advancement 40.0 X 100694 0 35044 511360 0 123460 3 false true false Quality Building Maintenance 7998 Georgetown Road Suite 500 Indianapolis IN 46268 Custodial Services Flik Independent Dining Services PO Box 91337 Chicago IL 606931337 CAFETERIA MANAGEMENT 0 44174 1570412 86662 1614586 Tuition and Fees 611110 8498414 8498414 Extracurricular Programs 611110 605682 605682 Lunch Fees 611110 188740 188740 Fees 611110 24515 24515 0 0 0 0 9317351 268197 268197 1425 6940 -5515 0 -5515 -5515 2687618 2609913 77705 0 77705 77705 76758 44174 70753 6005 6005 3489 4288 -799 -799 Other income 900099 39190 39190 0 0 0 0 39190 11316720 9355742 0 346392 987893 987893 630976 453908 177068 0 4556528 3394412 903212 258904 286615 201068 73534 12013 426490 335082 57997 33411 344327 267759 59497 17071 3042 3042 29867 29867 26508 26508 35767 35767 408428 389178 19250 0 83413 2414 65442 15557 194486 57812 102164 34510 153562 97473 36222 19867 562286 421715 112457 28114 24251 18188 4850 1213 632812 474609 126562 31641 78098 78098 Instructional Expenses 820198 784613 30293 5292 Dues and Subscriptions 21605 21605 Bad Debt Expense 95406 30460 64946 81876 3230 49520 29126 10484434 7889354 2016907 578173 7277 253 755956 211005 140752 924924 5086 16668 0 0 0 0 173935 255487 20164695 14695408 5407088 5469287 5971474 6408253 0 0 13717 10611 12475285 13296488 552738 679308 638902 841413 850000 610000 0 0 399737 0 15238 2319 2456615 2133040 X 9864017 10018333 154653 1145115 10018670 11163448 12475285 13296488 832286 312492 0 X false true X true false X 441284 504287 1346783 1521753 1614586 5428693 0 0 441284 504287 1346783 1521753 1614586 5428693 24432 5404261 159284 179768 173511 321605 269622 1103790 0 0 0 0 0 0 106990 182988 38651 51325 115948 495902 7028385 40917396 0.7689 0.7279 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 Other Income DESCRIPTION - FUNDRAISING REVENUE, COLUMN A - 103800.0, COLUMN B - 165790.0, COLUMN C - 24910.0, COLUMN D - 38296.0, COLUMN E - 76758.0, COLUMN F - 409554.0; DESCRIPTION - OTHER INCOME, COLUMN A - 3190.0, COLUMN B - 17198.0, COLUMN C - 13741.0, COLUMN D - 9922.0, COLUMN E - 39190.0, COLUMN F - 83241.0; DESCRIPTION - BAD DEBT RECOVERY, COLUMN A - 0.0, COLUMN B - 0.0, COLUMN C - 0.0, COLUMN D - 3107.0, COLUMN E - 0.0, COLUMN F - 3107.0; RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 341984 341984 12261056 10084022 2177034 4642748 1975826 2666922 2847005 2635560 211445 71902 71902 5469287 Other Liabilities 2319 2319 X 10650729 312492 45176 357668 10293061 35766 987893 1023659 11316720 9505951 45176 45176 9460775 35766 987893 1023659 10484434 Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 FIN 48 (ASC 740) footnote The School is exempt from federal and state income tax except for any net income derived from unrelated business activities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and corresponding state tax law. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes. Additionally, the School has been determined not to be a private foundation under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Guidance issued by the FASB requires the School to recognize a tax liability only if it is more likely than not the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of uncertain tax position that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the more-likely-than-not test, no tax liability is recorded. The School has examined this issue and has determined there are no material contingent tax liabilities or questionable tax positions. The School does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax positions to significantly change in the next 12 months. The School recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The School did not have any amounts accrued for interest and penalties at June 30, 2023 and 2022. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 2(d) Other revenues in audited financial statements not in form 990 COGS Expense - 4288 Fundraising Expense - 33948 Rental Expense - 6940 Schedule D, Part XI, Line 4(b) Other revenues in form 990 not in audited financial statements Financial Aid and Grants Netted with Revenue - 987893 Schedule D, Part XII, Line 2(d) Other expenses in audited financial statements not in form 990 COGS Expense - 4288 Fundraising Expense - 33948 Rental Expense - 6940 Schedule D, Part XII, Line 4(b) Other expenses in form 990 not in audited financial statements Financial Aid and Grants Netted with Revenue - 987893 true true true true true true true false false false false false false false false false true Schedule E, Part I, Line 3 RACIALLY NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY Sycamore School's nondiscriminatory policy is distributed on printed materials and online websites so that all constituents are aware of the policy. X X X X X X X true Johnson Grossnickle and Associates Inc 29 South Park Boulevard Greenwood IN 46143 Capital Campaign Consulting false 1389047 26508 1362539 1389047 26508 1362539 IN Auction and Event 120932 44174 76758 343 21966 5116 43328 0 0 120932 44174 76758 343 21966 5116 43328 70753 6005 Schedule G, Part I, Line 2b(ii) Describe the custody or control arrangement. JOHNSON, GROSSNICKLE AND ASSOCIATES, INC.-PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT, JOHNSON, GROSSNICKLE AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (JGA) WAS RETAINED TO PROVIDE ONGOING COUNSEL TO SYCAMORE SCHOOL TO ASSIST LEADERSHIP AND STAFF IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLAN FROM THE SYCAMORE INSPIRES CAMPAIGN PLAN.; Schedule G, Part I, Line 2b(v) payment of fees or payment of expenses JOHNSON, GROSSNICKLE AND ASSOCIATES, INC.-THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR A TOTAL FEE OF $13,230 PLUS DIRECT EXPENSES. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT JGA WILL KEEP SYCAMORE APPRISED OF THE TIME USED THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE PERIOD.; true Financial Aid 82 987893 0 n/a n/a Schedule I, Part I, Line 2 Procedures for monitoring use of grant funds. Sycamore School grants need-based financial aid awards to recipients who qualify based on personal financial information provided. Sycamore uses a third party provider to determine whether an applicant meets the criteria for need-based financial aid. Records submitted and maintained include federal tax forms and schedules, W-2s, bank and investment statements upon request, and questionnaires on personal finances. Awards are given in the form of a reduction of tuition through the billing system specific to each student who qualifies for financial aid. X X false false false false false false false true false Diane Borgmann Head of School 248996 0 35962 0 0 0 24320 0 26099 0 335377 0 0 0 Patrick Juday CFO 125708 0 0 0 0 0 11232 0 26765 0 163705 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 7 Non-fixed payments The Head of School received a bonus for meeting performance based goals at the discretion of the board. A Indiana Development Finance Authority 351602316 2011-12-29 3085000 Redeem the series 2004 bonds. false false false A 2475000 0 3129609 0 0 0 49436 0 0 0 3080173 0 2011 true false true true A false false false false 0.0 0.0 0.0 false false true A false false true false false false false false true A true Schedule K, Part II, Line 3 Total Proceeds of Issue The total proceeds of issue includes investment earnings of $44,609. SEE PART V SEE PART V 36000 discounted tuition Student Financial Aid Hagerman Construction Entity more than 35% owned by Jeff Hagerman, Trustee. 34624 independent contractor false Schedule L, Part III GRANTS OR ASSISTANCE BENEFITING INTERESTED PERSONS PER THE IRS INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHEDULE L, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY INTERESTED PERSONS TO WHOM THEY PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND SIMILAR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. INSTEAD, THESE ORGANIZATIONS MUST GROUP EACH TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO INTERESTED PERSONS IN SEPARATE LINES. FOR EACH LINE, THE SCHOOL IS TO REPORT IN COLUMN (C) THE TYPE OF ASSISTANCE AND AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THAT ASSISTANCE; COLUMNS (A) AND (B) ARE TO BE LEFT BLANK. X 6 51699 Market value X Various Auction Prizes 110 34963 Selling cost 0 false true false Schedule M, Part I Explanations of reporting method for number of contributions Securities - Publicly traded - number of contributions Other - Various Auction Prizes - number of contributions Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a COMPENSATION OF TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL THE COMPENSATION OF THE HEAD OF SCHOOL IS DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, COMPRISED OF THE OFFICERS, INCOMING PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE USES A COMPENSATION SURVEY TO ENSURE COMPENSATION IS REASONABLE. HOWEVER, THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISION ARE NOT DOCUMENTED. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST UNDERTAKEN IN MAY 2023. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b PROCESS TO ESTABLISH COMPENSATION OF OTHER EMPLOYEES THE COMPENSATION OF THE OTHER OFFICER IS DETERMINED BY THE HEAD OF SCHOOL. THE HEAD OF SCHOOL USES COMPARABILITY DATA TO ENSURE COMPENSATION IS REASONABLE. THE PROCESS AND DECISION ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE EMPLOYEES' FILES. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST UNDERTAKEN IN MAY 2023. Form 990, Part VI, Line 1a Delegate broad authority to a committee The board of directors shall have an executive committee comprised of the officers of the corporation. The executive committee shall be subject to the authority and supervision of the board of directors, and between meetings of the board, the executive committee shall possess and may exercise the power and authority of the board of directors in the management of the corporation's affairs, except as limited by the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1991 as amended. Form 990, Part VI, Line 6 Classes of members or stockholders The organization has one class of members that includes parents or legal guardians of students enrolled at Sycamore School. The members have the right to vote on individuals elected to the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a Members or stockholders electing members of governing body The members have the right to vote on individuals elected to the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body The form 990 is reviewed by the head of school, the chief financial officer, and the treasurer prior to filing. The form is made available to the school's Finance Committee (under the Board) subsequent to filing. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy Each trustee and each person in senior management are required to annually state their conflicts of interest, if any, and sign a conflict of interest statement. These statements are reviewed by the head of school. If there is a conflict of interest, it will abstain from voting on matters related to the conflict of interest. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public The organization's conflict of interest policy, financial statements, and governing documents are available to the public upon request.