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Harbor Country Day School

EIN 11-1864959 · Saint James, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HARBOR CHERISHES CHILDHOOD, CULTIVATES WONDER AND INSPIRES CONFIDENT LEARNERS AND LEADERS.

Income
$7.0 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
133
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$242,234, 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 17 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

    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 (1)
  1. $3.6 million spent. TUITION & OTHER PROGRAMS:HARBOR COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IS A NON-PROFIT, CO-EDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 8. AT HARBOR, THE WHOLE STUDENT IS EDUCATED IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY FACET OF THE CHILD'S LEARNING EXPERIENCE IS ENRICHED WITH PROVEN, YET INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTION WHERE TRADITIONAL TEACHING METHODS COMBINE WITH LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES TO INSPIRE AND CULTIVATE YOUR CHILD'S PERSONAL BEST. EVEN OUR EXCITING SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM UPHOLDS THIS OBJECTIVE.HARBOR'S GOAL IS TO GIVE EACH CHILD AN EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST IN ACADEMICS, BUT IN LIFE TO BUILD CHARACTER, AROUSE A LOVE OF LEARNING, AND DEVELOP STRONG LEADERS AND INDIVIDUALS DESTINED TO BE TRULY FULFILLED, CONTRIBUTING ADULTS.HARBOR SETS THE BAR HIGH. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE, EMBRACE THEIR NATURAL CURIOSITY, THINK ANALYTICALLY, AND ARTICULATE THEIR THOUGHTS WITH CLARITY AND CONFIDENCE. HARBOR'S GOAL IS TO HAVE THEM PREPARED FOR WHATEVER LIES AHEAD.THE BEST EVIDENCE THAT THE HARBOR PROGRAM WORKS CAN BE SEEN IN HARBOR GRADUATES. WHEN THEY LEAVE HARBOR, THEY LEAVE WITH A STRONG ACADEMIC FOUNDATION AND THE CONFIDENCE TO SUCCEED IN THE NEXT PHASE OF THEIR EDUCATION AND BEYOND. THE HARBOR IMPRINT LIVES ON AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION, COLLEGE AND ON TO SUCCESSFUL CAREERS AND LIVES.NO DOUBT, WELL AFTER THEY LEAVE THE HARBOR FAMILY, HARBOR STUDENTS CONTINUE TO FONDLY RECALL THE SCHOOL'S BEAUTIFUL, 11-ACRE CAMPUS SITUATED ON LONG ISLAND'S GOLD COAST OF SUFFOLK COUNTY IN THE VILLAGE OF HEAD OF THE HARBOR.FOUNDED IN 1958 BY CONSCIENTIOUS AND ENERGETIC PARENTS, HARBOR CONTINUES TO UPHOLD ITS VISION BY OFFERING A CHALLENGING AND ENGAGING ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN A WARM, FRIENDLY, AND FAMILY-LIKE COMMUNITY. FOR OVER FIVE DECADES, A HARBOR EDUCATION HAS REMAINED SYNONYMOUS WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION, LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AMONG STUDENTS, AND THE ENDURING EFFECTS OF DEDICATED, HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS EACH OF WHOM KNOWS EACH OF HARBOR'S STUDENTS BY NAME.HARBOR COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IS CHARTERED BY THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS AND IS ACCREDITED BY AND A MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (NYSAIS).HARBOR COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IS NON-SECTARIAN. IT IS UNAFFILIATED WITH OR OWNED BY ANY OTHER ENTITY. IT IS AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND IS GOVERNED BY A SELF-PERPETUATING BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

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 November 6, 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 June 1960.

    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 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.