Knox School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 83 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Knox Schools mission is to deliver a student-centered education guided by compassion that cultivates academic excellence, leadership, and self-confidence in every learner. Through personalized learning pathways, comprehensive programs in the arts and athletics, and a values-based culture rooted in authentic relationships and global inclusivity, Knox equips students with the competencies required for admission to top-tier universities and cultivates within them the character to lead meaningful, purpose-driven lives.
- Income
- $7.6 million
- Spending
- $8.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- -22.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 59
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $125,000, 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
Weak: 15 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 356% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 83 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: 93 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (2)
- $5.7 million spent. SERVING 134 STUDENTS IN A COLLEGE PREPARATORY CURRICULUM OVER TWO SEMESTERS. FACULTY AND STAFF OF 59 FULL AND PART TIME.
- $85,355 spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES CONSISTS OF AN EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM, BOOST PROGRAM AND TRANSPORTATION. THE EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM SERVES BETWEEN 12-14 STUDENTS WHO COMPETE IN 5-6 COMPETITIONS EACH YEAR. THE KNOX SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS A WEEKEND PROGRAM TO LOCAL CHILDREN AND OFFERS PRIVATE LESSONS. THE BOOST DEPARTMENT OFFERS PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE CAPABLE, COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS WITH THE FOUNDATION AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITIES AND TO REACH THEIR PERSONAL GOALS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND COLLEGE ADMISSION.
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 October 13, 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 January 1955.
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 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.