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Gaston Day School Inc

EIN 56-6076613 · Gastonia, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GASTON DAY SCHOOL (GDS) IS AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL WHOSE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS AND PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS AND RESPONSIBLE AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES. GDS OFFERS AN EXPERIENCE THAT REWARDS STUDENTS FOR A LIFETIME AND GIVES THEM AN EDUCATION THAT GOES FAR BEYOND OUR CURRICULUM.

Income
$12.2 million
Spending
$11.9 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
182
Volunteers
170
Highest pay
$248,210, head of scho

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: 46 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    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

    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. $8.3 million spent. GASTON DAY SCHOOL, INC. (GDS) IS A NONSECTARIAN, COLLEGE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR GRADES PRESCHOOL THROUGH 12 WITH OVER 500 STUDENTS. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS THE SCHOOL'S HALLMARK: THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SCORE IN THE TOP HALF OF THE NATION'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ON STANDARDIZED TESTS; SAT SCORES ON CRITICAL READING AND MATH ARE CONSTANTLY GASTON COUNTY'S HIGHEST; AND OUR AP TEST PASS RATE IS OVER 80%. WITH GENERAL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN ALL UPPER SCHOOL SUBJECTS, THE WRITING AND FINE ARTS PROGRAMS REGULARLY WIN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL AWARDS. ATHLETICS AND THE FINE ARTS REMAIN INTEGRAL TO THE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION THAT THE SCHOOL PROVIDES. GDS HAS A RICH HISTORY AND LOOKS FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE OF CONTINUED GROWTH AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

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 February 1967.

    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.