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Watkinson School

EIN 06-0655136 · Hartford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WATKINSON'S MISSION IS TO GIVE STUDENTS THE POWER TO SHAPE THEIR LIVES AND THE WORLD AROUND THEM. WATKINSON'S EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY CREATES AN UNPARALLELED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS THRIVE.

Income
$14.0 million
Spending
$13.8 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
121
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$387,935, 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: 51 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 42 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    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 (1)
  1. $11.4 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1881, WATKINSON ENROLLS BETWEEN 215-230 STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12/PG, WATKINSON BOASTS A 5:1 STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO AND AN AVERAGE CLASS SIZE OF 13. HARTFORD'S OLDEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL, WATKINSON OFFERS MEMORABLE, AUTHENTIC CHALLENGES TO STUDENTS WHO IN TURN LEARN TO USE THEIR MINDS WELL. OUR ONE-OF-A-KIND CREATIVE ARTS, EXHIBITIONS, GLOBAL STUDIES, LEARNING SKILLS, AND COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAMS OFFER STUDENTS REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES FROM GUEST SPEAKERS TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, TO MEMORABLE REFLECTION, TO ONE-ON-ONE ACADEMIC COACHING.

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 March 1935.

    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.