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Passes our checks

Knox School

EIN 11-1743680 · St James, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak15 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 356% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    65% 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 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (2)
  1. $5.7 million spent. SERVING 134 STUDENTS IN A COLLEGE PREPARATORY CURRICULUM OVER TWO SEMESTERS. FACULTY AND STAFF OF 59 FULL AND PART TIME.
  2. $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

  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 January 1955.

    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.