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Hathaway Brown School

EIN 34-0714426 · Shaker Hts, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$42.5 million
Spending
$36.7 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
532
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$659,472, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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. $31.3 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1876, HATHAWAY BROWN IS COMMITTED TO A FUSION OF ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. THIS CO-ED EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ALL-GIRLS' K-12 INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL OF 744 STUDENTS FOCUSES ON EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION AS IT PREPARES STUDENTS TO RISE BOLDLY TO THE CHALLENGES OF OUR TIMES AND LIVE OUT THE HB MOTTO OF LEARNING NOT FOR SCHOOL, BUT FOR LIFE."HB'S INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, OUTSTANDING FACULTY, AND UNIQUE PROGRAMS DRAW FAMILIES FROM 75 COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO TO ITS BEAUTIFUL 16-ACRE SHAKER HEIGHTS CAMPUS, WHICH HOUSES AN AQUATICS CENTER, IDEA LAB, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SPACES, TURF PLAYING FIELD, UPPER SCHOOL LEARNING COMMONS, AND WORKING TELEVISION STUDIO. IMMERSIVE ACADEMIC, SERVICE, AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND, AND GRADUATES ATTEND MANY OF THE WORLD'S TOP UNIVERSITIES.THE SCHOOL IS CONSISTENTLY HONORED BY WELL-REGARDED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES, AND JOURNALISTIC PUBLICATIONS. THE 91 STUDENTS IN THE CLASS OF 2025, WHICH INCLUDES 5 NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS, 9 NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLARS, 5 COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HISPANIC RECOGNITION PROGRAM SCHOLARS, 3 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR CANDIDATES OPTED TO ATTEND 56 DIFFERENT COLLEGES IN 23 STATES AND 3 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN THE FALL. THE CLASS RECEIVED MORE THAN $9.5 MILLION IN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS, INCLUDING FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY AND THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY AS A MORRILL SCHOLAR.THREE STUDENTS WILL COMPETE IN VARSITY ATHLETICS AT THE D1 LEVEL IN 3 DIFFERENT SPORTS. 82% OF THE CLASS RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM THEIR TOP CHOICE (OR A TOP CHOICE WHEN RANKED BY GROUP). 8% OF THE CLASS RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM A SCHOOL DEEMED A "TOP 10 BEST NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OR "TOP 10 NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE" BY 2025 US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT. 18% OF THE CLASS RECEIVED OFFERS FROM A "TOP 20 BEST NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OR "TOP 20 BEST NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE" BY 2025 US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT. 31% OF THE CLASS RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM A "TOP 25 BEST NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OR "TOP 25 BEST NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE" BY 2025 US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT. 73% OF THE CLASS RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM A "TOP 50 BEST NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OR "TOP 50 BEST NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE" BY 2025 US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT. HB'S ATHLETIC PROGRAM HOLDS 22 STATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES, 14 STATE TEAM RUNNER UP FINISHES, 28 STATE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS, 31 STATE INDIVIDUAL RUNNER UP TITLES, AND 46 STATE SEMI-FINAL APPEARANCES. THE 2013 BLAZER BASKETBALL TEAM AND 2019 BLAZER TENNIS TEAMS MADE HISTORY WHEN BOTH PROGRAMS BECAME THE ONLY BOYS OR GIRLS' TEAM IN OHIO HISTORY TO WIN FIVE CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. THE 2021 TENNIS TEAM SURPASSED THIS MILESTONE EARNING A 7TH (NONCONSECUTIVE) STATE TEAM TITLE IN 2021 (2004, '15, '16, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21).HB'S SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM ARE REIGNING OHSAA DII 3X CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONS.HB IS A 7-TIME WINNER OF NORTHEAST OHIO'S TOP WORKPLACES BY THE PLAIN DEALER. EDUCATIONAL COLLEAGUES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY CONSIDER HB A LEADER IN THE FIELD. HATHAWAY BROWN IS PROUD TO OFFER INITIATIVES IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING AND IN SOCIOEMOTIONAL GROWTH THAT OPTIMIZE LEARING FOR OUR STUDENTS AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL. HATHAWAY BROWN WAS THE FIRST SCHOOL IN THE ISACS (INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION OF THE CENTRAL STATES) TO COMPLETE THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS IN A REMOTE MODE, SERVING AS A MODEL FOR OTHER SCHOOLS FOLLOWING IN THE PROCESS.SINCE ITS BEGINNING AS "AFTERNOON CLASSES FOR YOUNG LADIES" AT THE ALL-BOYS PRIVATE BROOKS MILITARY SCHOOL IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND, HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL HAS BEEN HELPING STUDENTS FIND AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES, MAXIMIZE THEIR OWN POTENTIAL, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. THE SCHOOL MOVED TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION IN SHAKER HEIGHTS IN 1927 AND IT IS NOW HOME TO 744 STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH 12TH GRADE, 45 PERCENT OF WHOM ARE STUDENTS OF COLOR. FORTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF STUDENTS RECEIVED FINANCIAL AID AWARDS (GRADES K-12) IN 2024-2025.THE SCHOOL MAINTAINS SMALL CLASS SIZES IN ALL DIVISIONS, AND THE STUDENT:FACULTY RATIO IS 8:1. HB IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY GIFTS FROM ALUMNAE AROUND THE WORLD, AS WELL AS PARENTS, FACULTY MEMBERS, AND FRIENDS OF THE INSTITUTION. AS OF JUNE 30, 2025, THE MARKET VALUE OF HB'S ENDOWMENT IS $93.0 MILLION. THE SCHOOL OFFERS EXTENSIVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND A ONE-TO-ONE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.IN 2016, DR. MARY FRANCES "FRAN" BISSELLE BECAME HB'S 14TH HEAD OF SCHOOL. HATHAWAY BROWN'S SIGNATURE LEARN FOR LIFE APPROACH IS UNIQUE AND BUILT ON FOUR AREAS OF STRENGTH: DISTINGUISHED ACADEMICS, EMPOWERED GIRLS, FELLOWSHIP IN APPLIED STUDIES, AND CELEBRATED COMMUNITY. OUR DISTINGUISHED ACADEMICS INCLUDE A CORE CURRICULUM NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. OUR 8:1 STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO SUPPORTS REAL LEARNING IN A RICH CURRICULUM. EMPOWERED GIRLS LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AND DEMONSTRATE THE POWER OF SISTERHOOD IN THE CLASSROOM, ON THE PLAYING FIELD, AND BEYOND. FELLOWSHIPS IN APPLIED STUDIES PROVIDE HB STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY THEIR ACADEMICS TO REAL-WORLD PROBLEM-SOLVING. EXAMPLES OF WORK WITHIN THE FELLOWSHIPS INCLUDES STUDENTS SPENDING FOUR YEARS AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TEAMS, CO-AUTHORING PUBLICATIONS, AND PRESENTING AT PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES. OR SERVING ON A FINANCE TEAM INVESTING A PORTION OF THE SCHOOL'S ENDOWMENT AND SHEPHERDING THAT INVESTMENT OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS. FELLOWSHIPS PROVIDE AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PROFESSIONALS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, SOLVING REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS. THE CELEBRATED COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS, ALUMNAE, AND FAMILIES PROVIDES A NETWORK OF CONNECTIONS TO HB WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN INDUSTRY, ACADEMIA, AND GOVERNMENT.THE ASPIRE PROGRAM OF HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL IS A TUITION-FREE ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. FOUNDED IN 2002, ASPIRE TARGETS MOTIVATED AND HIGH-ACHIEVING GIRLS WHO ARE FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS AND ARE WORKING TOWARD BEING T

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 1928.

    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.