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The Heights Inc

EIN 52-1128002 · Potomac, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood82 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

THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL IS A PRIVATE, INDEPENDENT, PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS, GRADES THREE TO TWELVE. THE SCHOOL ASSISTS PARENTS IN THE INTELLECTUAL, MORAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL EDUCATION OF THEIR SONS. DEDICATED FACULTY IMPART RIGOROUS ACADEMIC TRAINING IN ALL THE MAJOR AREAS OF THE LIBERAL ARTS. FORMATION IN VIRTUE FOSTERS RESPECT FOR EVERY PERSON, A DESIRE TO SERVE GOD AND OTHERS, AND AN OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE'S CHALLENGES. THE SCHOOL'S CHRISTIAN ORIENTATION AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION ARE ENTRUSTED TO OPUS DEI, A PERSONAL PRELATURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Income
$27.2 million
Spending
$24.4 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
100
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$390,482, business manager

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: 40 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    81% 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

Good: 82 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 (2)
  1. $18.9 million spent. PROVIDE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO 600 BOYS, GRADES 3-12 OVER COURSE OF 170-DAY SCHOOL YEAR. SERVICE PROGRAM INCLUDES CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS, AND FAMILY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.
  2. $792,426 spent. PROVIDE SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES TO 450 BOYS, AGES 4-16 DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS OF JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST. SERVICE PROGRAM INCLUDES CAMPS FOR ATHLETICS, ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT SUBJECTS.

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 August 2002.

    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.