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Chestnut Hill School

EIN 04-2178868 · Chestnut Hill, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AT THE CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL, OUR MISSION TO EDUCATE CHILDREN IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN A COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, DIVERSITY, AND COMMUNITY. WE ENGAGE, CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT CHILDREN AS THEY DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. WE NURTURE THE WHOLE CHILD THROUGH A THOUGHTFUL, BALANCED CURRICULUM. WE INTENTIONALLY BUILD A DIVERSE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND WE VALUE, RESPECT, AND EDUCATE OURSELVES ABOUT ITS COMPLEXITIES AND GIFTS. WE FOSTER THE GROWTH OF OUR STUDENTS SO THEY WILL BECOME RESPONSIBLE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE WORLD WHO STAND UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS, EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS, AND CARE ABOUT THE RIGHTS AND FEELINGS OF OTHERS.

Income
$13.1 million
Spending
$12.9 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
210
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$351,024, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 37 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

    16 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $7.8 million spent. THE CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL IS A COEDUCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN FROM BEGINNERS THROUGH SIXTH GRADE THAT FOSTERS AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF JOYFUL LEARNERS WHO THINK CRITICALLY, EMBRACE DIVERSITY, AND ACT WITH EMPATHY. THE CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL IS GROUNDED BY THE VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF BELONGING, PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE, PERSEVERANCE, AND KINDNESS. OF 221 STUDENTS, 51% IDENTIFY AS STUDENTS OF COLOR, AND 28% RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. TEACHING FACULTY: 42 TOTAL; 62% HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES. 100% OF GRADUATING SIXTH GRADERS WERE OFFERED ADMISSION TO ONE OF THEIR TOP CHOICE SCHOOLS. THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS ALLOWS THE CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL TO ACCOMPLISH MANY OF THE THINGS THAT SET IT APART FROM OTHER INDEPENDENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. WE ARE ABLE TO RETAIN THE MOST QUALIFIED AND CARING FACULTY, PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SPECIAL SUBJECTS AS PART OF OUR CURRICULUM, MAINTAIN BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.
  2. $1.0 million spent. EACH SUMMER, CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL HOLDS A SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN FROM AGE 4 THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH PROVIDES MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY WITH A HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR RECREATION AND EDUCATION DURING JULY AND AUGUST.
  3. $459,485 spent. THE CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL OFFERS A VARIETY OF BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING AN EARLY ARRIVAL PROGRAM, EXTENDED DAY, AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES, PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS, AND VACATION CAMP.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1959.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.