Lick-Wilmerding High School

What it reported doing in 2024

Lwhs is a non-profit, independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school serving grades 9-12 with a tradition of integrating demanding academic courses with service learning and technical and fine arts. Endowed by san francisco entrepreneur james lick, the California school of mechanical arts opened its doors in 1895. Subsequently, the "lick school" merged with the wilmerding school of industrial arts and the lux school of industrial training. A private school with public purpose, lick-wilmerding high school develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and (cont. On sch. O) compassion. Lwhs' rigorous head, heart, and hands curriculum equips students with the skills, habits of mind, and commitment to build lives of excellence and meaning. The school offers challenging, college preparatory classes in nine disciplines, with a unique technical arts program, part of its 129 year legacy, and rigorous honors level classes in all five academic departments. Students also participate in the four year public purpose program, a hands-on education and service-learning experience.the 559 students at lwhs reflect the school's strong commitment to cultural, social and socioeconomic diversity. 70% of students are self-identified as students of color. In 2024, there were 940 applicants for 140 places in the ninth grade; 139 ninth graders enrolled from 63 middle schools. The flexible tuition program awarded $7.7 million to 33% of the students. Our 73 full-time and part-time teachers, administrators and program directors hold 49 master's degrees and 6 doctorates. Performing, technical and fine arts teachers have supplemented their formal degrees with extensive work and performance experience.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 82.2%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 84.2%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $2.78 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 6 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0.5%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.76; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.32; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5.7%; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.7% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.4% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings