The Fay School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O. The Fay School ("the School") is a nonsectarian, not-for-profit, co-educational school in which children of diverse talents and backgrounds with strong academic abilities are offered a high-quality education in a secure, enriching, and academically challenging environment. Here, children learn and grow intellectually, physically, socially, ethically, and artistically while developing self-confidence and a lifelong love of learning through an active partnership among educators, parents, and students.
- Income
- $14.6 million
- Spending
- $11.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 15.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 137
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $350,814, ceo, 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
Good: 89 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 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 2513 of 13 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
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $9.5 million spent. At The Fay School, our core values center on providing an educational experience that ensures our students are Prepared, Well-Rounded, and Articulate - three essential cornerstones for success as they move forward in life. We prepare students for entrance into and success within Houston's finest middle and upper schools. Our progressive and rigorous curriculum is exclusively preparatory in nature and our graduates are successful throughout the city of Houston. Our well-rounded students are grounded in an appreciation of community and global awareness. Our "Fay Family" is central to the ethos of our international culture and the diversity of thought and experiences our students enjoy. Continued on Schedule O. We believe communication is paramount to success and we teach our students to articulate their thoughts, values, and aspirations. At Fay, success is found in our students' poised and compelling communication with peers and adults alike. Adding to the rigor of our academic program, The Fay School's most distinguishing factor is our Leadership Development Program. Grounded in both emotional intelligence and human capital strategy, The Fay School's vision is to deliberately build and educate the next generation of leaders for our world. Our students experience leadership training and curriculum typically reserved for Fortune 500 companies and they graduate from Fay with skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
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 October 13, 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 May 1991.
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 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.