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Waldorf School Association of Seattle

EIN 91-1095411 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SEATTLE WALDORF SCHOOL MISSION IS: DAILY WE STRIVE TO INSPIRE LEARNING, COURAGE, AND JOY IN THE DEVELOPING HUMAN BEING.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
135
Volunteers
151
Highest pay
$227,631, 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (1)
  1. $5.1 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1980, SEATTLE WALDORF SCHOOL SERVES APPROXIMATELY 200 STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 8 IN NE SEATTLE. AT SWS, WE PREPARE STUDENTS TO THRIVE AS ADAPTABLE, FUTURE-READY PROBLEM-SOLVERS AND LEADERS. OUR DEVELOPMENTALLY ALIGNED CURRICULUM FOSTERS ACADEMIC STRENGTH, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, CREATIVITY, AND RESILIENCE. WITH AN EMPHASIS ON EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AND INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK, STUDENTS LEARN TO THINK CRITICALLY, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, PROBLEM-SOLVE COLLABORATIVELY, AND LEAD WITH EMPATHYSKILLS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE, CAREERS, AND LIFE IN THIS EVER-CHANGING WORLD. OUR STUDENTS LEARN, PLAY, AND EXPERIENCE EDUCATION TOGETHER WITH JOY AND COURAGE EVERY DAY. OUR CURRICULUM ALIGNS WITH THE STAGES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND COGNITIVE AWAKENING IN KEY PHASES OF CHILDHOOD. BIRTH TO 7 YEARS, 7 TO 14. IN THE EARLIEST YEARS, CHILDREN LEARN PRIMARILY BY IMITATION AND ACTIVITY, AND OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS USE EXPLORATION AND PLAY AS A FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND CREATIVE THINKING. IN GRADE SCHOOL, STORYTELLING AND ART ARE EMPLOYED AS TEACHING VEHICLES AS STUDENTS DEVELOP CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING AND GROUP PARTICIPATION.

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 July 1980.

    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.

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