The Cooper School

What it reported doing in 2024

At The Cooper School, we redefine learning. Our unique approach values individuality, fosters personal growth, and develops well-rounded and well prepared students ready for an ever-changing world. Our core values academic excellence, inquiry, innovation, empathy, community, and sustainability form the basis of our curriculum and school culture. We balance high student engagement and exceptional social emotional learning with content specific academic rigor.Active Learning and Real-World SkillsStudents at TCS take the lead through project-based learning, reflective assessment practices, and real-world experiences. This hands-on approach prepares them for success. Project-Based Learning (PBL) at The Cooper School is more than just a teaching method; it's a transformative educational experience. PBL empowers our students to become active participants in shaping their own knowledge and understanding. Each project serves as an immersive exploration of real-world topics that captivate student interest, making learning truly engaging.With PBL, our students develop essential questions, embark on authentic research journeys, and navigate diverse avenues to creative solutions. At TCS, we encourage our students to ask big questions and nurture their ability to craft even bigger answers. Project-Based Learning is at the heart of our commitment to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong learning skills, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the complexities of the world beyond the classroom.Kindness, Community and DiversityTCS cultivates a culture of kindness, fostering community and celebrating diversity. Inclusivity, understanding, and collaboration are central to our ethos. We wholeheartedly believe that a culture ofkindness and psychological safety is the foundation of empowering our students. We prioritize social and emotional learning, understanding that when students feel supported and valued, they are not only more open to learning but also willing to take risks in their educational journey. Our nurturing environment allows students to grow into compassionate global advocates who appreciate diversity, respect others, and contribute positively to the world.Enrolling at The Cooper School means giving your child the gift of a holistic education that not only shapes their intellect but also molds their character, ensuring they are well-prepared to thrive and make a meaningful impact in an ever-evolving world. Qualatative Applicable FeedbackAt TCS, we emphasize qualitative feedback and personalized assessments instead of traditional grades, helping students understand their strengths and areas for improvement. That means we replace conventional letter grades with competency benchmarks based on national standards, as well as lengthy narratives that provide comprehensive feedback about your student's progress. Our approach places emphasis on meaningful feedback, fostering an environment where students take an active role in self-reflection as students work towards mastery.We believe that this method not only helps students understand their strengths and areas for growth but also encourages a deeper connection to their own learning journey. In Middle School, we introduce percentage-based mastery numbers to offer a comprehensive view of a student's progress. While we understand the desire for traditional grades, our research-backed approach is better aligned with modern educational principles.At The Cooper School, we prioritize a holistic educational experience that nurtures your child's growth, both academically and emotionally, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in a dynamic educational landscape.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 75.3%; rating input score 75
• Program expense ratio: 85%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $0.98 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 2; 2nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 98.2%; rating input score 98; 34th 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: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • 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: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 10.1%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.49; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.51; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.9%; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 14.1% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 14.5% per year; rating input score 100; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.8% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings