Woodlawn School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our educational philosophy provides the guiding principles that we use to carry out our mission - to produce independent lifelong learners, who are responsible, contributing members of a diverse and global society. We provide a superior learning environment by encouraging critical thinking, curiosity, and diligence. We promote the personal growth of our students by encouraging creativity, leadership, and individuality. We are socially responsible by valuing multiple perspectives, compassion, tolerance, and respect. We incorporate environmental sustainability in our curriculum, school culture,and stewardship of our land and resources. Woodlawn students are joyful learners who choose a bright, optimistic, positive emotional response to change. They are unafraid to learn new things. They have a healthy understanding that failure is essential to success. They have the self-knowledge and confidence to effectively navigate a complex and turbulent world. Woodlawn seeks students who are self-m
- Income
- $6.9 million
- Spending
- $5.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 78%
- Employees
- 56
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $198,803, 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% 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 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $4.7 million spent. At Woodlawn our Lower School begins in our Early Childhood Explorer program andcultivates a strong foundation of academic and social-emotional skills through fifthgrade. Our Early Childhood programs nurture and value a childs wonder, spirit, andcuriosity from the classroom, to the garden, and the playground with a responsiveclassroom approach, teaching emotional intelligence, grounded in intentionality, andnature play. In Lower School, we build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, through project-based learning in an integrated curriculum including arts, life skills, service learning, environmental stewardship, outdoor learning, and distinctive elements beyond the classroom. Our Middle School consists of grades 6-8, and intentionally engages adolescents inlearning to think, understand, and apply knowledge through intellectual and practical problem solving, developing good organization, study skills, encouraging personal responsibility, and mature social behavior. Our top priorities in Middle School: guiding students toward independence and self-advocacy. As students come to understand and adapt to their own learning styles, they develop the capabilities to become lifelong learners. Our project-based interdisciplinary curriculum stretches students thinking from the concrete to the abstract; students respond to real-world questions and challenges through an extended inquiry process. Classes are small and discussion-based. Students collaborate with their classmates, using their critical thinking and communication skills. Teachers, as curriculum designers, create innovative projects that engage Middle School students in complex, real-world experiences through which they develop and apply skills and knowledge. Our approach keeps enthusiasm high, while helping students to become creative, resourceful problem solvers.Woodlawns Upper School program prepares students in grades 9-12 for success in college and beyond with a rigorous honors academic program which develops thoughtful and engaged citizens, creative and critical problem-solvers, and skilled communicators and collaborators. Our approach develops thoughtful and engaged citizens, creative and critical problem solvers, and skilled communicators and collaborators. As a learner-centered school, we empower students to actively contribute by influencing policies, taking the lead in clubs/organizations, and collaborating in partnership with teachers to establish meaningful traditions in an intentionally integrative and purposeful close-knit community.Woodlawn also offers a myriad of opportunities beyond the school day - with programsavailable through our Extended Day, After Care, and Summer Camps.
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 April 2003.
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.