The Masters School

What it reported doing in 2024

The masters school is an independent day and boarding school, for students in grades 5 through 12, that empowers independent thinkers through an expansive and innovative curriculum based on active intellectual exploration. Located on 96 picturesque acres on the hudson river and just 12 miles from the vast resources of New York city, the school is a diverse and vibrant convergence of ideas, cultures, arts and athletics.in a kind and inclusive culture, where diversity of thought is celebrated, students can confidently find their own voices in discussion-based classes, while gaining a deeper, broader understanding of the subject matter and each other. Much like the curriculum at a liberal arts college, masters' curriculum imparts a broad knowledge to students and develops their intellectual capacities in a transformational way. Masters is distinguished by its novel approach of using the harkness method of teaching around a singular, oval table for all main subject areas. Harkness challenges students to achieve a higher level of engagement, to extract and construct their own meaning from the content, and then to share it courageously and articulately with their peers and teachers while gaining respect for the voices of others.at masters, students take full advantage of developing their many talents and interests-whether academics, athletics, performing arts, visual arts, or service projects. At masters, there is an appreciation for the value of a well-balanced education and the doors it opens-including admission to top-ranked colleges and universities.arts at mastersthe arts play a vital role at the masters school. Fully integrated into the curriculum and the life of the school, they also feature prominently in co-curricular offerings and student performance groups. Opportunities to study the arts-both during the day and after school-abound. Dance and drama, painting and photography, music in its countless forms-we offer it all and encourage our students to explore.performing artsthe department of performing arts at the masters school encompasses dance, music and theater studies and experiences. Across a variety of performance mediums and in a wide range of performance settings, from ensemble pieces to technical artists, students have ample opportunities to try their hand at performance art. Further, the department offers opportunities for deep understanding of the various areas through courses that offer perspectives in production, theory and history.visual artsthe goal of the masters visual arts program is to have students develop the creativity, imagination, and technical skill to practice art as a vital means of self-expression. The faculty are professional artists, and our students take full advantage of New York city cultural resources to complement their classroom work.athletics at mastersmasters believes athletics plays a crucial role in developing students' character and encouraging healthy and enthusiastic competition. Through athletics our student-athletes learn how to be responsible for not only themselves but for their teammates, coaches, family and community - preparing them for the many challenges in life.masters coaches consistently challenge athletes while honoring participation, achievement and effort through our programs. Our success is not measured in victories alone, but also in the individual development of each student-athlete.our athletes strive to be the best person they can be whether it's in the classroom, on the playing field or in the community. We believe that the skills our student-athletes develop during their time at masters will help mold them into productive members of society.about the athletic program60 competitive teamsfall: cross country, field hockey, soccer, girls' tennis and girls' volleyballwinter: basketball, fencing, indoor track and field, squash and swimmingspring: baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball, boys' tennis, boys' volleyball, track and fieldleagues, conferences and associationsf

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 73.3%; rating input score 73
• Program expense ratio: 83.9%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $7 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th 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; 77th 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: 16.3%; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.33; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.17; rating input score 73; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.8%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.5% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.5% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings