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Mary C Wheeler School Inc

EIN 05-0259101 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WHEELER IS AN INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE PREPARATORY DAY SCHOOL SERVING STUDENTS NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 12 WHOSE MISSION IS DERIVED FROM THE IDEAL OF ITS FOUNDER, MARY C WHEELER, "TO LEARN OUR POWERS AND BE ANSWERABLE FOR THEIR USE."

Income
$50.8 million
Spending
$46.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
644
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$595,382, 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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 41 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $33.9 million spent. PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS ATTENDING NURSERY THROUGH 12TH GRADE. THE SCHOOL ENROLLED 823 STUDENTS FOR THE YEAR OF WHICH 96 STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM THE CLASS OF 2025 AND 99% OF THOSE GRADUATING PURSUED A COLLEGE EDUCATION. ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY AND STAFF PARTICIPATED IN SCHOOL SUPPORTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. A STRONG VOLUNTEER GROUP OF PARENTS AND ALUMNI HELPED THE SCHOOL IN ITS FUNDRAISING AND ADMISSIONS ACTIVITIES.
  2. $889,026 spent. WHEELER SUMMER CAMP AND PROGRAMS PROVIDE BOTH WHEELER STUDENTS AND CHILDREN FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, EDUCATIONAL, ENRICHMENT, RECREATIONAL AND ATHLETIC BASED ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING. SUMMER CAMP AND PROGRAMS INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO THE WHEELER SCHOOL AND CAMP EXPERIENCES. IN 2025, OVER 900 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAMS. WHEELER SUMMER CAMP AND PROGRAMS PROVIDE NON-TUITION REVENUE TO SUPPORT ANNUAL OPERATIONS.
  3. $240,716 spent. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS SERVICE WHEELER STUDENTS IN NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 5. APPROXIMATELY 70 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED PER DAY IN AGE APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONALLY LATE DAY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR NURSERY AND PRE-K STUDENTS.

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 1948.

    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.

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.