Mason Preparatory School

What it reported doing in 2024

Mason Preparatory School educates approximately 320 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade programs. The School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). The School is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Palmetto Association of Independent Schools (PAIS). The School has a student to teacher ratio of 10 to 1. The School's program is as follows: (Continued on Schedule O)Two homerooms per gradeIndividual assistants in each pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 1st grade class, shared assistants in each grade 2-4 ; State of the art technology equipment with technology instruction beginning in kindergarten; 1:1 iPad/tablet program in grades 3-8; Weekly curriculum including art, music, media center, physical education, guidance, French and/or Spanish Carnegie unit available in Algebra I and French I or Spanish I for proficient 8th grade students; Full time Clinical Child Psychologist; One full time learning specialist; After-school activities offered (see further below); Varied sports programs offered (see further below); Extended care available on full school days until 5:45; and Our graduates enroll in an outstanding variety of public and private high schools. Afterschool Programs Although the Mason Prep School day officially ends at 3:05 p.m., many options are available for students after school. Extended Day Offered on a flexible as-needed basis, the Extended Day program provides a supervised environment until 5:45 p.m., with time for homework as well as for recreation. Homework help is also available in Study Hall sessions conducted by staff members. Afterschool Programs Mason Prep welcomes the opportunity to coordinate various afterschool programs with outstanding organizations and professionals. Our programs provide our students in every grade with opportunities to expand their horizons through the arts, athletics, culture, math, science, strategy and engineering. The participants also continue to develop skills in the areas of communication, participation, fair play and persistence as the different activities broaden the world around them. Athletics The Mason Prep faculty, staff, and coaches strive to develop the whole child, and our athletic program plays a significant part in this effort. Our program is designed to teach basic fundamental skills and then build on those skills at appropriate age levels. Fundamental skills and strategies in several sports can be mastered in the eight years at Mason Prep, and athletes who continue through the middle school years can make an easy transition to high school sports. Mason Prep athletes also learn the meaning of hard work, integrity, responsibility, commitment, and sportsmanship - critically important traits for each athlete to take to the next level of sport and into adulthood. Mason Preps teams typically involve grades 4 - 8. We play area schools, giving our children an opportunity to make new friends through sport. Volleyball (girls) - Mason Prep fielded three volleyball teams for girls in Grades 5-8. The volleyball season runs from September to mid-October, with games played through the City of Charleston Recreational Volleyball League.Basketball (girls and boys) - The basketball program runs from mid-October through early February. Tennis (girls and boys, grades 4-8) - Tennis season takes place in the spring with competitions through the Charleston Tennis Center. Developmental Sports Before students enter a competitive arena, developmental teams are offered in basketball in grades K - 3. These teams participate in intramural sessions with volunteer parent coaches. Rather than a win/loss record, each individual's performing to the best of his or her ability and development of fundamental skills are the Mason Prep measures of success.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 67.4%; rating input score 67
• Program expense ratio: 84.1%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $2.08 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • 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; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 17.1%; rating input score 74; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.06; rating input score 74; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.37; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.9%; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.2% per year; rating input score 100; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.6% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.7% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings