West End Preparatory School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
West End School is an academically rigorous year-round boarding school for middle school boys. Admission is open to boys entering sixth grade who are on free or reduced lunch, are capable of doing academic work at their grade level or above, and who would benefit from a stable, structured and safe environment. Enrollment is typically between 10 and 15 students per year. The school opened its doors in 2005 because of the growing need for alternative forms of education, particularly for the young men in our community. For many of these students, the middle school years are a transitional "tipping point" both socially and academically. Boys especially are at higher risk for almost every index of failure: academic, achievement, truancy, dropout rates, school suspensions and expulsions, delinquency, and incarceration.When rigorous academic standards are in place it is remarkable the progress students make (Many of our boys have gone on to receive scholarships to prestigious secondary school
- Income
- $4.1 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 14.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 63
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $228,457, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $2.6 million spent. West End School is an academically rigorous year-round boarding school for middle school boys. Admission is open to boys entering sixth grade who are on free or reduced lunch, are capable of doing academic work at their grade level or above, and who would benefit from a stable, structured and safe environment. Enrollment is typically between 10 and 15 students per year. The school opened its doors in 2005 because of the growing need for alternative forms of education, particularly for the young men in our community. For many of these students, the middle school years are a transitional "tipping point" both socially and academically. Boys especially are at higher risk for almost every index of failure: academic, achievement, truancy, dropout rates, school suspensions and expulsions, delinquency, and incarceration.When rigorous academic standards are in place it is remarkable the progress students make (Many of our boys have gone on to receive scholarships to prestigious secondary schools throughout Kentucky). There is no charge for room, board or tuition and all expenses are paid through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.