Athenian School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 55 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 ATHENIAN SCHOOL IS A CO-EDUCATIONAL, INDEPENDENT, NOT-FOR-PROFIT SCHOOL SERVING GRADES 6 THROUGH 12. THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL PREPARES STUDENTS FOR THE RIGOROUS EXPECTATIONS OF COLLEGE AND FOR A LIFE OF PURPOSE AND PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE SCHOOL OFFERS A CHALLENGING ACADEMIC PROGRAM WITH A DIFFERENCE. INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY IS ACTIVE. LEARNING IS INTERACTIVE.
- Income
- $35.0 million
- Spending
- $35.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 93%
- Employees
- 296
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $733,623, head of school (thru 06/24)
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: 28 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 51% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 55 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 2522 of 22 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)
- $26.9 million spent. THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL OPERATES A UNIQUE PRIVATE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS FROM GRADES 6 THROUGH 8 (MIDDLE SCHOOL) AND GRADES 9 THROUGH 12 (HIGH SCHOOL). THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL CULTIVATES THE PERSONAL QUALITIES OF EACH STUDENT TO BECOME AN INTEGRATED HUMAN BEING WITH INTEGRITY, STRONG MORAL CHARACTER, AESTHETIC SENSITIVITY, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. THE ATHENIAN COMMUNITY REQUIRES STUDENTS TO FACE LIFE DIRECTLY THROUGH OPEN COMMUNICATION, WHILE DEVELOPING THEIR INNER STRENGTH TO EXCEED THEIR PERCEIVED POTENTIAL AND EMERGE AS COMPASSIONATE, RESPONSIBLE ADULTS. THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL INSTILLS AN APPRECIATION OF THE RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL AND CULTURES, SOCIETY, AND THE NATURAL WORLD. THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL VALUES THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF MULTICULTURALISM (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) WITHIN OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY.THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL EMBRACES THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, AND SERVICE AS A WAY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING AN ATMOSPHERE OF INTELLECTUAL, ARTISTIC, AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGE WITHIN THE WARMTH OF A NURTURING COMMUNITY. WE DEVELOP IN OUR STUDENTS THE CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED TO MEET THE COMPLEXITIES OF THEIR FUTURE.IN 2024, THE SCHOOL SERVED 530 STUDENTS.
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 November 6, 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 September 1964.
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 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.