Parent Service Organization

The Cincinnati Classical Academy Parent Service Organization (PSO), is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation, organized exclusively to support the mission and activities of Cincinnati Classical Academy through volunteer, fundraising and other supportive activities.

While a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and a Parent Service Organization (PSO) may appear similar in structure, the key difference lies in purpose and focus. A PTO typically serves as a parent-led group that may have a role in policy discussions, advocacy, or influencing school decisions, in addition to coordinating volunteers and fundraising.

By contrast, CLASSICAL’s Parent Service Organization (PSO) is intentionally designed to reflect and support the mission of the school. Rather than acting as a forum for policy-making or advocacy, the PSO focuses on serving the school community through volunteer, fundraising, and other supportive activities.

The PSO’s goal is to partner with the school’s leadership and faculty, reinforcing the school’s educational and cultural mission through acts of service and community-building, while leaving governance and educational leadership to those entrusted with those responsibilities.

Any parent, guardian, or other adult legally recognized in loco parentis for a student enrolled at Cincinnati Classical Academy in good standing is automatically a member of the PSO.

At the start of each school year, we distribute a volunteer interest survey to help match parents with opportunities to serve. Throughout the year, we also share volunteer needs and sign-up links regularly through the PSO Facebook page (Cincy Classical PSO) and The Sentinel Life.

If you’d like to get involved or have questions about volunteering, feel free to email us at PSO@cincyclassical.org.

The PSO’s monthly Executive Board meetings are closed and attended by The Headmaster, Officers, and Committee Chairs. This structure allows the Board to focus efficiently on planning, budgeting, and decision-making while maintaining consistency and accountability across initiatives. 

However, transparency and parent involvement remain important priorities for the PSO. Regular updates are shared through the school’s newsletter, email, and the PSO Facebook page. Parents who wish to share input are encouraged to reach out to any Officer or Committee Chair.

PSO Officers and Committee Chairs are selected through a nomination process managed by the PSO Executive Board, with input and recommendations from The Headmaster. Candidates are chosen based on their experience, leadership qualities, and commitment to supporting the mission and values of Cincinnati Classical Academy. New roles are typically filled during the transition period at the end of each school year or as vacancies arise.

• Sentinel Athletics Boosters– The Sentinel Athletics Boosters support the athletic programs at Cincinnati Classical Academy. Their mission is to help our student-athletes, coaches, and teams by volunteering time, organizing fundraising efforts, and fostering a spirit of teamwork, fair play, and school pride. Volunteers help in many ways like coaching, providing transportation, running concessions, and supporting athletic events throughout the year. 

• Sentinel Arts Boosters – The Sentinel Arts Boosters are dedicated to supporting the extracurricular music, visual arts, and musical theatre programs at Cincinnati Classical Academy. Throughout the year, the Arts Boosters identifies ways it can support these programs by developing, managing, and implementing fundraising projects. The Arts Boosters also provide assistance in chaperoning activities, sponsoring social events, making costumes, caring for uniforms or robes, and transporting students. 

• Sentinel Community & Culture Boosters– The Sentinel Community & Culture Boosters are a group of volunteers who help build and strengthen the Cincinnati Classical Academy community by organizing events and initiatives that celebrate and support our shared school culture. Their efforts include planning teacher and staff appreciation activities, coordinating student support events, hosting community-building gatherings, and helping with general and ongoing fundraising efforts.

The PSO does not operate from a formal annual budget. Instead, we work closely with the Headmaster and Committee Chairs to ensure that funds are available and allocated as needs arise throughout the year. All expenditures are carefully considered to ensure they align with the PSO’s mission of supporting faculty, students, and the broader school community.

To maintain transparency and accountability, all payments are made by check and require two signatures from PSO Board members. Additionally, the PSO prepares and files required IRS documentation annually, with filings managed by Zoomtax.

The United States Internal Revenue Service has determined that Cincinnati Classical Academy Parent Service Organization is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3).  As such, any donation made directly to the PSO can be deducted under IRC Section 170. Cincinnati Classical Academy Parent Service Organization, EIN: 92-1001386. 

In accordance with IRS regulations, any gift to the PSO that exceeds $250 will be acknowledged with a formal letter for tax purposes.

Sponsorships are NOT tax deductible because they provide a benefit to the sponsor, such as advertising or public recognition. The IRS considers this a form of payment for services rather than a charitable contribution.

Please Note: Any funds sent directly to a parent via Venmo, PayPal, cash, or check for a PSO initiative are not considered tax-deductible.