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Passes our checks

Windward School

EIN 95-2701337 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WINDWARD SCHOOL IS A DYNAMIC COLLEGE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL THAT CHALLENGES EACH STUDENT TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN A NURTURING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. WINDWARD TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND ADMINISTRATORS WORK TOGETHER TO INSPIRE OUR STUDENTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE, CARING, WELL INFORMED, ETHICAL, PREPARED, AND WELL BALANCED YOUNG ADULTS.

Income
$61.9 million
Spending
$46.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
290
Volunteers
196
Highest pay
$921,000, hos/board secretary (thru 6/30/25)

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. Higher than 32% 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

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    22 of 24 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. $42.5 million spent. WINDWARD SCHOOL IS A SUPPORTIVE, NURTURING COMMUNITY WITH A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY, CLASSES AVERAGING 16 STUDENTS, AND A STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO OF APPROXIMATELY 8:1. WINDWARD ALLOCATES APPROXIMATELY $2.5 MILLION EACH YEAR TO FINANCIAL AID. THE SCHOOL PROVIDES A VARIED AND CHALLENGING ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS, THE ARTS, AND SERVICE LEARNING. ALL WINDWARD STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO FULFILL A 40-HOUR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE LEARNING BEFORE GRADUATION.THE WINDWARD SCHOOL CURRICULUM OFFERS STUDENTS A CHOICE OF MORE THAN 100 DIFFERENT COURSES, INCLUDING A LARGE NUMBER OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1972.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.