The Public School of Germantown
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY INSPIRES STUDENTS TO BE INDEPENDENT IN THOUGHT; CONFIDENT IN EXPRESSION; COMPASSIONATE IN SPIRIT; COLLABORATIVE IN ACTION; AND HONORABLE IN DEED. GERMANTOWN ACADEMY IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATING STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE.
- Income
- $66.5 million
- Spending
- $60.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 72%
- Employees
- 620
- Volunteers
- 96
- Highest pay
- $747,876, 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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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 2527 of 27 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
7 of 7Has a 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 (1)
- $47.4 million spent. GERMANTOWN ACADEMY IS A NON-SECTARIAN, COEDUCATIONAL COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL EDUCATING STUDENTS FROM PRE-K TO GRADE 12. FOUNDED IN 1759, GERMANTOWN ACADEMY HAS OVER 260 YEARS OF HISTORY, TRADITION, AND OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS. GERMANTOWN ACADEMY IS A PLACE THAT INSPIRES. STUDENTS DEVELOP A LOVE OF LEARNING BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST DAY OF PRE-K THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE FINAL DAY OF 12TH GRADE AND BEYOND. OUR DEDICATED FACULTY AND STAFF EMBRACE STUDENTS' INNATE CURIOSITY AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BUILD UPON THEIR NATURAL STRENGTHS WHILE CHALLENGING THEM TO EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE THROUGH A MULTITUDE OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES, BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM . OUR MISSION IS OUR PROMISE TO OUR STUDENTS, AND IT BECOMES THEIR FOUNDATION FOR LIFE: GA INSPIRES STUDENTS TO BE INDEPENDENT IN THOUGHT, CONFIDENT IN EXPRESSION, COMPASSIONATE IN SPIRIT, COLLABORATIVE IN ACTION, AND HONORABLE IN DEED. FOR MORE THAN 260 YEARS, STUDENTS AT GERMANTOWN ACADEMY HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW THEIR PASSIONS. THE CUMULATIVE RESULT IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC, ARTISTIC, ATHLETIC, AND SOCIAL EXPERIENCE THAT CREATES SUCCESSFUL, WELL-EDUCATED, ETHICAL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.GERMANTOWN ACADEMY IS A PLACE OF INNOVATION. WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF IMPORTANT INITIATIVES SUCH AS 21ST CENTURY CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION, AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. IF A NEW PROGRAM OR IDEA PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS, WE WILL EXPLORE IT.WITH TALENTED AND CARING FACULTY, HONEST AND CURIOUS STUDENTS, AND A BEAUTIFUL, RESOURCE-FILLED CAMPUS, GERMANTOWN ACADEMY IS WHERE STUDENTS THRIVE AND BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES. A TOTAL OF 1,218 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED THIS FISCAL YEAR.
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 November 6, 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 May 1937.
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 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.