Who We Are

CPSC Foundation

Advancing Child-Centered Project Based Learning

Central Park School for Children has a bold vision: to reimagine public Kindergarten through 8th grade education so that all children thrive. We believe education should be transformational and spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking by honoring the uniqueness of each child. In Downtown Durham, North Carolina Central Park School for Children  has created an environment where children are at the center of their own learning, empowered to lead projects that engage their intelligences and connect to their real lives. This approach sparks a lifelong love of learning, igniting joy as students discover their potential.

Special Opportunities Fall 2025

Our vision is supported and sustained by the fundraising and stewardship efforts of our non-profit 501c3, the Central Park School for Children Foundation.

Our Mission

To strengthen public education for all children in America.

Our Vision

We envision the creation of more schools where:

  • Children come first
  • All children thrive
  • Inspired teachers help children flourish
  • Communities cherish and empower young people

Building the Future of Public Education

The CPSC Foundation is raising funds and stewarding donors for Central Park School for Children to launch the second phase of construction at 1001 North Street, formerly the historic North Durham Elementary. Our first phase project breathed life back into this community treasure, transforming it into the home of Central Park School for Children’s Upper School Campus, a child-centered, project-based learning public demonstration school and The Teaching and Learning Center, a hub for training and inspiring educators across North Carolina. Be a part of making the campus sing as we undertake the second phase of construction activating the entire city block child centered campus and teacher training for all North Carolina educators.

As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the CPSC Foundation ensures that every gift makes a lasting impact on the future of education.

Our Strategy

The CPSC Foundation fuels this vision by:
Supporting Central Park School for Children (CPSC)—a highly regarded model demonstration school in Durham, North Carolina
Investing in innovative, child-centered, and evidence-based education
Expanding the impact of CPSC’s Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) to train and inspire educators across the country

At the CPSC Foundation, we are committed to strengthening public education so that all children thrive. We support innovative, child-centered, and project based learning experiences that inspire curiosity, build community, and empower students to shape the world around them.

Leadership & Governance

The CPSC Foundation is guided by a dedicated team committed to ensuring the success of our mission:

Foundation Management

Executive Director: John Heffernan

Foundation Board of Directors

James “Buster” Black – President
Geoffrey Phillippe – Treasurer

Arlie Harris (Executive Director, CPSC) – Secretary

Chanel Carrell (Chair, CPSC Board of Trustees)

Vicky Patton

Katie Wagstaff

Dana Waldron

Ex Officio Members:

John Heffernan (Executive Director, CPSC Foundation)

Be Part of the Future of Education

Your support fuels transformational learning experiences and helps us build a brighter future for all children.

 Learn More & Get Involved

Donate Now
📩 For more information, contact:
📞 John Heffernan, Executive Director, CPSC Foundation
📧 John@cpsfc.org | 📱 (919) 323-0490

James Black is Vice President of AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp.  He manages real estate investment for AIG in the southeastern United States.  Buster received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston and a master’s degree in Real Estate Finance from New York University.  Buster is a Central Park School for Children parent.

Marcia Brooks is board chair of Central Park School for Children.  She is the executive director of Lakewood Avenue Children’s School in Durham.  Marcia has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire, and a Master’s degree in Industrial Design at the North Carolina State University College of Design, with her thesis in Early Childhood Environmental Design.  She earned certification in K-12 art education and has the North Carolina Early Educator Certificate and credentials in Early Childhood Teaching and Early Childhood Educational Administration.

Bob Chapman is the Foundation’s board president.  He is Managing Director of Traditional Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC in Durham.   He also serves on the boards of Central Park School for Children and of the Triangle Community Foundation Real Estate Foundation.  He previously served on the boards of the Congress for New Urbanism, the National Town Builders Association, Duke School for Children, and the North Carolina Art Society.  Bob received an A.B. degree from Duke University.

John Heffernan is in his fourteenth year as executive director of Central Park School for Children.  Previously he taught elementary school for 10 years in New York City and in Durham, where he was honored as “Teacher of the Year.”   John was selected as a Kenan Fellow for Teacher Leadership in 2007 and as a Fulbright Memorial Scholar in 2004.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple major in Psychology, Philosophy, and Studio Arts from Georgetown University followed by a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from Bank Street College of Education.

Kate Moser has over 15 years of development experience in higher education, healthcare, and nonprofits.  She has been part of four major capital campaigns raising millions of dollars for organizations in Virginia, North Carolina, and around the world.  Kate attended Hollins University as a Batten Scholar and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies.  She also received a certificate in Leadership Studies from the Batten Leadership Institute.

Vicky Patton is the founder of Central Park School for Children.  She previously served as executive director of the Governor’s Center at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and as Assistant to the President for Duke president Terry Sanford.  Vicky led successful efforts to relocate the American Dance Festival to Duke and to convert the Duke Pre-School and Primary Program into Duke School School for Children.  She has A.B. and M.B.A. degrees from Duke.

Geoffrey Phillippe is a Strategic Innovation Partner at Elephant Ventures, LLC.  Geoffrey has a Bachelor of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University, and an M.B.A. from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.  He is a Central Park School for Children parent.

Alan Staple is a Vice President at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). His responsibilities include leading price reduction negotiations for CHAI with the global pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries and identifying new opportunities and funding partnerships that expand access to life-saving medicines.  Alan served as founding treasurer and board member of Central Park School for Children.  Alan has a B.A. in economics from Oberlin College and an M.S in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.