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Winston School

EIN 75-1450819 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Winston School Is A Small College Preparatory School Designed To Maximize The Potential Of Bright Students Who Learn Differently. Through individualized Learning Strategies Our Students Are Empowered To Meet Confidently The Challenges Of Tomorrow.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
66
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$217,590, 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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    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 (3)
  1. $5.2 million spent. THE WINSTON SCHOOL: EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION FOR GRADES K-12 FOR STUDENTS IN THE DFW AREA WHO HAVE DIAGNOSED LEARNING DIFFERENCES. THE WINSTON SCHOOL IS ACCREDITED BY THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTHWEST AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS. WINSTON EMPHASIZES CORE STUDIES IN READING, LITERATURE, WRITING, MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES. THE RIGOROUS CURRICULUM IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH FIVE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS: PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY, FINE ARTS ACADEMY, SOLAR SCIENCE ACADEMY, WORLD CULTURES ACADEMY, AND SERVICE LEARNING ACADEMY. THESE PROGRAMS FURTHER ENHANCE CREATIVITY, TEAM BUILDING, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND INNOVATIVE THOUGHT PROCESSES.
  2. $59,627 spent. SOLAR SCIENCE ACADEMY: AN ELITE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN AN IN-DEPTH HANDS ON UNDERSTANDING OF STEM - SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH, AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY. PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCE BUILDING, MAINTAINING, AND DRIVING A SOLAR CAR, PARTICIPATE IN SOLAR CAR RACES ON A CLOSED TRACK AND ON THE OPEN ROAD IN A CROSS COUNTRY RACE, AND LEARN BUSINESS AND TEAM BUILDING SKILLS.
  3. $30,001 spent. FINE ARTS ACADEMY: A TAILOR-MADE PROGRAM THAT IS OFFERED TO STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE TRUE DEDICATION AND PROMISE IN 2D & 3D ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF SIX POLISHED ART PIECES A YEAR, SKETCHBOOK ASSIGNMENTS, AND WRITTEN RESEARCH. STUDENTS ALSO COMPLETE A FULL YEAR ONLINE ART HISTORY COURSE.

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 August 1974.

    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.