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Fessenden School

EIN 04-2103574 · West Newton, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FESSENDEN SCHOOL CULTIVATES EACH BOY'S TALENTS AND DEVELOPS IN BALANCE HIS CHARACTER, MIND, AND BODY IN AN INCLUSIVE AND JOYFUL COMMUNITY.

Income
$45.2 million
Spending
$42.7 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
404
Volunteers
53
Highest pay
$708,962, head of school

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 44 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $30.0 million spent. THE FESSENDEN SCHOOL IS AN INDEPENDENT BOYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BOTH RESIDENT AND DAY STUDENTS WITH GRADES PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH NINTH. THE PROGRAM HAS APPROX. 540 STUDENTS OF BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ORIGIN. ACADEMIC, ART AND ATHLETIC PROGRAMS ALL PLAY AN INTEGRAL PART OF EACH STUDENT'S EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH.
  2. $2.2 million spent. THE FESSENDEN SCHOOL SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 325 CHILDREN WITH A DIVERSIFIED, SAFE AND REWARDING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM OPERATES FROM JULY THROUGH AUGUST AND IS LOCATED ON THE SCHOOL'S 42 ACRE CAMPUS, AND UTILIZES THE SPACIOUS GROUNDS, 2 SWIMMING POOLS, CLASSROOM BUILDINGS, TENNIS COURTS AND ATHLETIC CENTER.
  3. $1.4 million spent. THE FESSENDEN DAYCARE SERVICES THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AT LARGE, PROVIDING INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS TO APPROXIMATELY 50 GIRLS AND BOYS.
  4. $445,151 spent. AUXILIARY AND VACATION PROGRAMMING
  5. DEPOSITS FORFEITED - THE FESSENDEN SCHOOL RETAINS DEPOSITS PAID BY ENROLLING STUDENTS WHO COME TO THE DECISION TO NOT ATTEND THE SCHOOL. THE DEPOSITS ARE FORFEITED IF THE STUDENTS DO NOT NOTIFY THE SCHOOL BY A CERTAIN DATE AS SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT SIGNED BY THE STUDENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1937.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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