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Washington Montessori Association Inc

EIN 23-7100723 · New Preston, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 64 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WASHINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL CREATES AN INCLUSIVE AND JOYFUL ENVIRONMENT, SUPPORTED BY A DEEPLY ROOTED COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS, WHERE CHILDREN EMBRACE THEIR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE POTENTIAL AND PREPARE TO LIVE WITH INTEGRITY IN A CHANGING WORLD.

Income
$9.8 million
Spending
$9.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
111
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$240,731, head of school thru 04/2025

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 64 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $7.6 million spent. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, WMS OFFERS FIVE PROGRAMS, EACH ROOTED IN MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE: YOUNG CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN AGED 18 MONTHS TO THREE YEARS OLD; LOWER SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN 3-6 YEARS OLD; LOWER ELEMENTARY FOR 1-3 GRADE STUDENTS; UPPER ELEMENTARY FOR 4-5 GRADE STUDENTS; AND MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR 6-8 GRADE STUDENTS.WMS ALSO OFFERS ROBUST AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING EXTENDED CARE PROGRAMS FOR YOUNGEST CHILDREN, ENRICHMENT COURSES FOR LOWER SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND ATHLETICS AND ARTS PROGRAMMING FOR OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. IN THE SUMMER, WMS RUNS A VARIETY OF SUMMER CAMPS AND PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF THREE AND FOURTEEN. THESE OFFERINGS RANGE FROM A MONTESSORI-INSPIRED DAY CAMP FOR YOUNGER CAMPERS, TO SPORTS CLINICS AND SPECIALTY CAMPS FOR OLDER CAMPERS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.