2025-11-17T09:08:32-06:00 2025-06-30 205788602 Glaser and Company LLC 1859 Summerville Ave Suite 800 Charleston SC 29405 990 2024-07-01 208818159 The Cooper School COOP 8435731033 13 Oakdale Place Charleston SC 29407 Merlin Henkel Director of Finance and Operations 8435731033 2025-11-17 1 0 Erik Glaser CPA P00724565 8438490179 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Merlin Henkel 13 Oakdale Place Charleston SC 29407 3709355 0 X https://thecooperschool.org X 2007 SC We elevate education by recognizing how children learn is as important as what they learn. 10 10 30 30 0 0 143184 105232 3095940 3425779 44946 53551 45615 65682 3329685 3650244 479434 565109 0 0 1472110 1620007 0 0 107196 1208454 1094888 3159998 3280004 169687 370240 4695112 4899655 2625873 2496377 2069239 2403278 X We elevate education by recognizing how children learn is as important as what they learn. 0 0 2789203 565109 3425779 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. 2789203 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 42 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 SC X Merlin Henkel 8435731033 13 Oakdale Place Charleston SC 29407 Barbie Screiner Chairman 5.00 X X 0 0 0 Katherine Hastie Co-Chair 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Stefi Green Co-Chair 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Abigail Walsh Vice Chair 2.00 X X 0 0 0 John Warren Treasurer 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Matt Nelson Secretary 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Rochelle Altman Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Hailey Fennell Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Anthony James Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Helen Rogers Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 David Couey - Term Ended Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Caitlin Worsham - Term Ended Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Franci Bell Resigned Head of School 40.00 X 179483 0 0 Merlin Henkel Interim Head of Sch. 40.00 X 46762 0 0 226245 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 105232 105232 Tuition and Fees 611600 3257861 3257861 Afterschool Program 611600 92627 92627 Extra Support Program 611600 42494 42494 Busing Program 611710 25625 25625 Camps 611600 7172 7172 3425779 53551 53551 122379 59111 63268 63268 Miscellaneous 900099 2414 2414 2414 3650244 3425779 0 119233 565109 565109 1403175 1166266 166248 70661 18142 15058 2177 907 78371 65160 9258 3953 120319 100005 14255 6059 4858 4858 43287 43287 210091 153624 56467 46552 37226 9326 54904 46110 6461 2333 27877 14204 11885 1788 299849 243887 45975 9987 43077 43077 16508 12593 3915 13552 13552 90841 87662 2271 908 60497 59295 843 359 Instructional supplies 115614 115614 Professional developmen 36308 36308 Miscellaneous 18172 15104 2153 915 Afterschool program 7250 7250 5651 5651 3280004 2789203 383605 107196 240606 136984 1063387 1288195 39321 98469 11166 13957 3983728 644805 3320001 3338923 20631 19527 0 3600 4695112 4899655 14855 44553 544665 478553 2066353 1973271 2625873 2496377 X 2069239 2403278 2069239 2403278 4695112 4899655 X 370240 -1551 -34650 X 1 X 0 0 0 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1000000 1000000 2778591 501658 2276933 205137 143147 61990 3338923 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Schedule E - Additional Information At The Cooper School, we stand unwavering in our commitment to creating an educational haven where diversity is acknowledged and celebrated. Our core belief is that a vibrant and enriching learning environment reflects the tapestry of our local community and the diverse world we inhabit. The Cooper School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to its students. The Cooper School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Gala 122379 122379 17769 9105 32237 122379 122379 17769 9105 32237 59111 63268 1 Scholarships and aid 46 555109 Part I, Line 2: The Cooper School subscribes to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, N.J. This service requires parents to send a Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) with a nominal fee. With this information, SSS considers total income, assets, number of dependents, age of parents, retirement provisions, and extraordinary expenses to calculate how much discretionary income a family has available. Part IV: Additional Information The Cooper School offers need-based moderated tuition to qualified students on the basis of the financial need of the family and the availability of funds. Moderated tuition is open to students of any race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin. The Cooper School maintains the confidentiality of all requests for moderated tuition, and moderated tuition decisions are made independently from admissions decisions. Grants are determined for accepted families who qualify by a Moderated Tuition Committee. Applications for moderated tuition should be submitted by January 1st for Kindergarten applicants and by February 1st for 1st-8th grade applicants to be considered for the following school year. Families must reapply for financial assistance each year. Returning students have priority over new students in the moderated tuition process and should submit their applications by December 31st. The Cooper School Moderated Tuition Form and a current year tax return must also be submitted directly to the school. The moderated tuition program is funded by the special contributions of parents and friends, by Annual Giving donations, and by money budgeted into the school's operating fund. Moderated Tuition Evaluation SSS reports inform the decisions of The Cooper School Moderated Tuition Committee, which makes all final decisions on moderated tuition amounts. Please understand that this analysis does not necessarily indicate what amount your grant will be. The SSS provides a standardized analysis of these forms, while the school is obligated to perform a detailed analysis considering every aspect of a family's financial situation. In addition, the school will not necessarily be able to provide moderated tuition to the level needed by an individual family or for the number of families that file a request. Any financial support that may be available beyond the parents' own income and assets must be reported for consideration by the school. These include resources that might be expected from grandparents or other relatives, church funds, direct scholarship grants, etc. The SSS formula allows for maintaining all household members at a modest standard of living. If the family's income increases beyond this level, the school considers that money to be available for discretionary purposes. The family is expected to make some of this money available for education. We consider that any responsibility for educational costs that the school may accept must come after the obligation of the student's parents, regardless of the legal or personal relationship between them. Therefore, before making any award, the Moderated Tuition Committee will consider the resources of both natural parents. If the custodial parent has remarried, we also consider the resources of the step-parent, bearing in mind the obligations of the step-parent to his or her own natural children. A standard PFS is submitted by both the custodial parent (and step-parent, if remarried) and non-custodial parent (and spouse, if remarried). X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Franci Bell Resigned Head of School 179483 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 179483 0 0 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The Form 990 is reviewed by management and then provided to the Board of Directors for a review and comment period. Once this review and comment period is complete, the Form 990 is efiled. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c Each member of the Board of Directors is required to review and sign anannual understanding of the conflict of interest policy, and its awarenessof any such conflict. If a member has changes in its conflict status, it isrequired to disclose such change under the terms of the policy. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15a As part of the annual compensation review, the compensation of the Head ofSchool is reviewed and evaluated to the School's peers in the region. Suchcompensation is discussed and approved by the Board as part of the annualbudget. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The governing documents for the School are availablefor review at the School's office upon written request. Form 990, Part XI, line 9: Bad debts -34,650.