The Seven Hills School

What it reported doing in 2024

The seven hills school, founded in 1962, is an independent, not-for-profit, day school educating 424 students in preschool through 8th grade. Accredited by the California association of independent schools (cais) and the western association of schools and colleges (wasc), seven hills is also an active member of the national association of independent schools (nais) and other independent school associations. Seven hills enjoys a long standing partnership with educational institutions nationwide. At seven hills, the mission is "to develop the intellect, engage the spirit and foster respect for and responsibility to our world." this is a community of parents, educators and students who are committed to lifelong learning. In an environment in which a student's curiosity is inspired, engaged, and rewarded, seven hills school's educators value professional development, lead each other and their peers to best practices, and accomplish all of this in a spirit of collegiality. The campus, nine acres of former ranchland set back behind heather farm park, is a student-centered environment that provides a myriad of experiences for children. Step out of the 21st century classrooms and explore a babbling brook which meanders through campus. Stop by the lunch tables and watch children play on the huge outdoor chessboard. On any given day, watch shakespeare performed or beethoven rehearsed; a rocket launched or a volleyball serve perfected. The spacious library has room for quiet, introspective readers and a stage for gregarious story tellers. Seven hills is a place where each child finds joy in learning and leaves ready for the next academic and life adventure.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 58.4%; rating input score 58
• Program expense ratio: 69.6%; rating input score 70
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.21 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd 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: 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: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • 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: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 17.7%; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.32; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.57; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.8%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.5% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.1% per year; rating input score 100; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 18th percentile among comparable filings