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Thomas Jefferson School

EIN 43-0618908 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

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

What it says it does

THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL ENGAGES ITS STUDENTS IN THE EDUCATION NECESSARY TO LIVE AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD. THROUGH THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE COLLEGE-PREPATORY PROGRAM AND WITHIN A NURTURING COMMUNITY, STUDENTS DEVELOP A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN LEARNING AND A DESIRE TO LIFT UP THE WORLD WITH BEAUTY AND INTELLECT.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
37
Highest pay
$166,898, 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

Weak: 45 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 52 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: 94 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $3.6 million spent. THE SCHOOL, LOCATED IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATE STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12 DEVELOP THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, TEACH THEM TO LIVE HAPPILY AS ADULTS, AND TO TEACH THEM HOW TO BECOME ACTIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY. THE SCHOOL RECOGNIZES THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF EDUCATION UPON THE STUDENTS' INTELLECT AND VALUES. MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL'S FACULTY BALANCE THE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE SCHOOL'S HIGH STANDARDS FOR ACADEMIC, PERSONAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM A NURTURING COMMUNITY.

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 October 13, 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 September 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 October 21, 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.