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Lancaster Country Day School

EIN 23-1352396 · Lancaster, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THEIR PASSIONS, FIND PURPOSE, AND BECOME THE BEST VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES.

Income
$25.6 million
Spending
$24.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
255
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$400,006, head of school - left 11/15/24

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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. $17.9 million spent. DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE INTELLECTUAL, CREATIVE, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH OF ITS STUDENTS, LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SEEKS TO PROVIDE RIGOUROUS, COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMIC PROGRAM WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, RESULTING IN A COMMUNITY OF GLOBALLY-CONSCIOUS, LIFELONG LEARNERS. CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO LOOK AT THE WORLD IN NEW WAYS, LCDS HAS HIGH ACADEMIC AND BEHAVORIAL EXPECTATIONS OF ITS STUDENTS WHILE PROVIDING EXTENSIVE SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE THOSE STANDARDS. THROUGH CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG STUDENTS AND ADULTS, THE SCHOOL ENCOURAGES PERSONAL GROWTH AND TRUST, THEREBY FOSTERING CONFIDENT, ARTICULATE, ANDTHOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN SUCCESSFULLY INTERPRET A COMPLEX AND RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD. AS A COEDUCATIONAL, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL "UNDER ONE ROOF" FOR STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE LCDS ENCOURAGES CLOSE INTERACTION AMONG PEOPLE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, STRIVING TO REFLECT THE WORLD AS IT TRULY EXISTS. RESPECT FOR SELF, CONCERN FOR OTHERS, COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY, AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARE HALLMARKS OF A LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL EDUCATION. IN ADDITION TO SETTING HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, THE SCHOOL URGES BOTH STUDENTS AND ADULTS TO SEEK BALANCE IN FULFILLING THEIR MANY OBLIGATIONS WHILE MAINTAINING A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THEIR OWN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

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 December 1947.

    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.