The Town School Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The town school's program balances the traditional and the innovative, emphasizing excellence in academics and a thorough exposure to the arts and physical education. Town is committed to diversity, teaching students to be inclusive and to respect themselves and others. Embracing the idea that children learn differently than high school students or adults, the town school is committed to their nursery through eighth grade (n-8) structure. Town's curricula and teaching methods are different from those of other programs, balancing the right combination of academic challenge and nurturing support at each grade level. The emphasis is on discovery, exploration, and social growth inherent in children, enabled by a classroom setup and teaching style that empowers students to speak up and participate. The teachers, who serve as mentors and facilitators rather than lecturers, appreciate the uniqueness of childhood and foster the individuality of every student. Students graduate from town as well-rounded, articulate, resilient, and morally responsible individuals. They are prepared to meet the challenges of a demanding secondary education and continue on the path of lifelong learning. The town school faculty to student ratio is one to five, including math and reading specialists, guidance counselors, and a director of diversity. The riverfront building provides the ideal environment for welcoming and enriching children's natural curiosity. Facilities include three connected buildings housing a state-of-the-art library/technology center in the heart of the school, recently renovated state-of-the-art science labs, roomy light-filled classrooms, many of which have river views, fully equipped art classrooms, a large gym, two large play terraces, and a large auditorium. The town school recognizes the importance of the relationship between parents and their child's school. Town offers a parent educaton program to introduce the town curriculum and the developmental needs of children at each grade level. In addition, the town school operates summer school, after school programs (including clubhouse, postscript, and individual instrumental lessons), and day care programs that enhance the regular school curriculum provided to the students. The town school is accredited by the New York state association of independent schools.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 83.2%; rating input score 83
• Program expense ratio: 84.1%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $1.04 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 3; 3rd 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: Scored; rating input score 0
• 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: 87.5%; rating input score 88; 20th 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: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.21; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.12; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 11.4%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.9% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings