Nonprofit · EIN 25-0925088
VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER
Tax-exempt · LIGONIER, PA 15658
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $9,770,746 | $10,564,761 | -$794,015 | $36,894,501 | $1,050,284 | $35,844,217 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $10,891,118 | $10,199,796 | $691,322 | $36,386,609 | $979,783 | $35,406,826 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $7,990,841 | $9,300,724 | -$1,309,883 | $35,647,401 | $921,815 | $34,725,586 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,553,471
- Program service revenue
- $4,172,655
- Investment income
- $1,808,305
- Net rental income
- $199,120
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $764,411
- Net income from fundraising events
- $37,195
- Other revenue
- $236,315
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $1,567,254
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $523,810
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,603,060
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $5,478,754
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $27,981
- Occupancy
- $653,602
- Depreciation
- $432,538
- Program services (functional)
- $8,081,345
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,116,195
- Fundraising (functional)
- $367,221
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $36,386,609
- Total assets, end of year
- $36,894,501
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,050,284
- Net assets, end of year
- $35,844,217
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $5,235,241
- Publicly traded securities
- $24,570,180
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $34,444,706
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,399,511
- Gross receipts
- $15,567,217
- Employees
- 83
- Volunteers
- 63
- Year formed
- 1947
- State of legal domicile
- PA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JONATHAN STRECKER | HEAD OF SCHOOL Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $208,973 | $71,328 |
| MARY MEHALA | HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERAT Officer | 40 | $112,020 | $40,467 |
| DAVID M KIRKLAND | UPPER SCHOOL HEAD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $103,113 | $5,300 |
| CATHARINE CATHEY | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ANTHONY P WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| EDWARD MORGAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC ELEK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER T WELTY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA L SHIREY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHANIAL MCCONNELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA R FREDERICK | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHANIEL D DEROSE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK F KOCH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL HANNAH | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| RALPH ARTUSO | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
2 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYAN BUSCH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE A VAN NORMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JONATHAN STRECKER | HEAD OF SCHOOL Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $203,593 | $69,302 |
| ALLIE J ARENDAS | LOWER SCHOOL HEAD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $101,789 | $7,352 |
| DAVID M KIRKLAND | UPPER SCHOOL HEAD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $103,012 | $5,103 |
| CATHARINE CATHEY | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ANTHONY P WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| EDWARD MORGAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC ELEK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER T WELTY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA L SHIREY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN MCCONNELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA R FREDERICK | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL SZWERC | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHANIEL D DEROSE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK F KOCH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL HANNAH | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| RALPH ARTUSO | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN BUSCH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE A VAN NORMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY MEHALA | HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Officer | 40 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JONATHAN STRECKER | HEAD OF SCHOOL Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $202,309 | $65,632 |
| TAMMY KLINE | BUSINESS MANAGER Officer | 48 | $107,835 | $21,824 |
| JOHN MCCONNELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHANIEL D DEROSE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN BUSCH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC ELEK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA FREDERICK | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ANTHONY P WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| EDWARD MORGAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHARINE CATHEY | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| RALPH ARTUSO | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL HANNAH | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA L SHIREY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL SZWERC | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE A VAN NORMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK F KOCH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 616, LIGONIER, PA 15658-0616
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- CATHARINE CATHEY, PO BOX 616, LIGONIER, PA 15658
- Signed the 990
- CATHARINE CATHEY, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (724) 238-5015
- Return prepared by
- GROSSMAN YANAK & FORD LLP
Mission
IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SAFE, CHALLENGING, NURTURING, AND DISCIPLINED, VALLEY SCHOOL PROVIDES A BALANCED AND STRONG PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR A DIVERSE GROUP OF CHILDREN. OUR GOAL IS TO STIMULATE IN EACH YOUNG PERSON LIFELONG HABITS OF MORAL BEHAVIOR, SEEKING WISDOM, AND DOING GOOD WORKS FOR OTHERS.
Program accomplishments
- VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER WAS FOUNDED IN 1946 BY CONSTANCE PROSSER MELLON AND GENERAL RICHARD KING MELLON. MRS. MELLON ENVISIONED VALLEY AS A NURTURING COMMUNITY WHERE A DIVERSE GROUP OF STUDENTS BUILD THEIR ACADEMIC, ARTISTIC, AND ATHLETIC SKILLS AND LEARN TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE AND COMPASSIONATE ADULTS. SHE FELT THAT CHILDREN LEARN BEST IN SMALL CLASSES WITH SKILLED TEACHERS WHO KNOW AND CARE ABOUT EACH CHILD. HOPING CHILDREN WOULD FEEL AT HOME IN NATURE, SHE SELECTED THE SCHOOL'S 400-ACRE WOOD SETTING.VALLEY SCHOOL'S PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO OUR CHILDREN. WE PRESENT A PROGRAM CENTERED ON THE CONCEPT OF THE CONTINUOUS GROWTH OF THE WHOLE INDIVIDUAL. BECAUSE OF OUR SCHOOL'S RELATIVELY SMALL SIZE, WE CAN RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND DIFFERENT RATES OF GROWTH AND MATURATION, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS CAN EXIST FOR EACH CHILD. WE MAKE A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO DEVELOP THE FOLLOWING HABITS: THE ABILITY TO THINK; THE SELF-DISCIPLINE TO WORK IN A CAREFUL, IMAGINATIVE, AND INDEPENDENT MANNER; A WILLINGNESS TO TRUST AND COOPERATE POSITIVELY WITH OTHERS; THE ABILITY TO RISK AND TO ADAPT TO NEW SITUATIONS. WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BE HONEST WITH THEMSELVES AND WITH OTHERS. WE WANT THEM TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS.OUR GOALS ARE TO BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS OF ACADEMICS AND LIFE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND THOUGHTFUL DECISION-MAKING. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS THE TEACHERS MUST DRAW CONTINUOUSLY UPON THEIR IMAGINATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND HUMOR. THROUGH THEIR INTELLECTUAL EXCITEMENTS, CULTURE AND SYMPATHETIC RESPONSE TO A YOUNG PERSON'S ENTHUSIASM THEY CAN DRAW OUT THE INDIVIDUAL POTENTIALITIES OF THE CHILD. THE SCHOOL HOPES, MOREOVER, TO DEVELOP IN A CHILD, THROUGH A STIMULATING CURRICULUM, AN AWARENESS THAT LEARNING REQUIRES EFFORT AND THAT EACH OF US HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OR HER OWN SUCCESSES AND FAILURES.THE SCHOOL'S CURRICULUM COMPRISES TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS. THROUGH THIS ACADEMIC COURSE WORK OUR CHILDREN STRIVE TO LEARN TO READ WITH UNDERSTANDING, REASON CAREFULLY, AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES THOUGHTFULLY AND CLEARLY, ORALLY AND IN THEIR WRITING. THE CONTENT OF THE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO LEAD A STUDENT TO AN APPRECIATION OF MAN'S INTERRELATEDNESS, CULTURAL HERITAGE, CREATIVE POTENTIAL, AND THE WONDERS OF OUR NATURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD. WHILE OUR EMPHASIS IS ON ACADEMIC SUBJECTS, WE ALSO REQUIRE PARTICIPATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE ARTS, SPORTS, ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, OUTDOOR AND OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS. WE KNOW THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE THESE GOALS ONLY IN A SCHOOL COMMUNITY IN WHICH PARENTS AND FACULTY COMMUNICATE, AIM HIGH, ARE NOT DISCOURAGED BY FAILURE, AND AND SHARE A COMMON PURPOSE: THE WELL BEING AND GROWTH OF OUR CHILDRENVALLEY SERVES STUDENTS FROM WESTMORELAND, SOMERSET, CAMBRIA, FAYETTE, AND INDIANA COUNTIES LOCATED IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. CLASSES IN K-5 AVERAGE 20 STUDENTS, AND MOST UPPER SCHOOL CLASSES ARE DIVIDED WITH 13 STUDENTS PER SECTION. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 200 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AT VALLEY SCHOOL. THE CURRICULUM IS CHALLENGING WITH HANDS-ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, LIBRARY, AND WORLD LANGUAGE ALL BEGINNING IN KINDERGARTEN. ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC, ART, AND SPORTS. VALLEY SUPPORTS A BIG BROTHER/SISTER PROGRAM AND SEVERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, CULMINATING IN A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR NINTH GRADERS. YOUNGER STUDENTS TRAVEL LOCALLY ON FIELD TRIPS WHILE OLDER STUDENTS EXPLORE AREAS MORE DISTANT. VALLEY SCHOOL'S CAMPUS IS REMARKABLE AND SITS ON 400 ACRES OF WOODLANDS.Expenses $8,081,345 · grants $1,567,254 · revenue $4,172,655
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 25-0925088
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- School
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1948
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B200)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $36,894,501
- Income (IRS master file)
- $15,567,217
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $9,770,746 | $10,564,761 | $36,894,501 | XML |
| 990-T | June 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $10,891,118 | $10,199,796 | $36,386,609 | XML |
| 990-T | June 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $7,990,841 | $9,300,724 | $35,647,401 | XML |
| 990-T | June 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2022 | $8,204,810 | $7,932,954 | $34,980,810 | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 25-0925088).
Questions about VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER
- What is the EIN of VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER is 25-0925088.
- Is VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1948.
- Are donations to VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names CATHARINE CATHEY.
- Who are the officers and directors of VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 17 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $208,973 (JONATHAN STRECKER, HEAD OF SCHOOL).
- How much revenue does VALLEY SCHOOL OF LIGONIER have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,770,746, expenses of $10,564,761 and total assets of $36,894,501 at year end.
Other nonprofits in LIGONIER
- LIGONIER CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION EIN 25-1315988 · last filed 990 for 2024
- LIGONIER VALLEY FOOTBALL BOOSTERS CLUB EIN 25-1796398 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- AL LUDWIG MEMORIAL FUND EIN 84-2203723 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- GREATER PITTSBURGH CHAPTER OF THE US NAVAL ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATIO EIN 84-5051643 · last filed 990-PF for 2024
- GERSTNER STUDY CENTER EIN 47-2519359 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- RALPH F KURTZ SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC EIN 66-0849608 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- PENNSYLVANIA COLLISION ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION SOCIETY EIN 45-2042997 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- RICHARD KING MELLON FOUNDATION DTD 01-01-47 EIN 25-1127705 · last filed 990-PF for 2024