Nonprofit · EIN 20-8818159
COOPER SCHOOL
Tax-exempt · CHARLESTON, SC 29407
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $3,650,244 | $3,280,004 | $370,240 | $4,899,655 | $2,496,377 | $2,403,278 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $3,329,685 | $3,159,998 | $169,687 | $4,695,112 | $2,625,873 | $2,069,239 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,329,685 | $3,159,998 | $169,687 | $4,695,112 | $2,625,873 | $2,069,239 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $105,232
- Program service revenue
- $3,425,779
- Investment income
- $53,551
- Net income from fundraising events
- $63,268
- Other revenue
- $65,682
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $565,109
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,403,175
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,620,007
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $4,858
- Accounting fees
- $43,287
- Occupancy
- $299,849
- Travel
- $43,077
- Depreciation
- $90,841
- Program services (functional)
- $2,789,203
- Management and general (functional)
- $383,605
- Fundraising (functional)
- $107,196
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,695,112
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,899,655
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,496,377
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,403,278
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,338,923
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,403,278
- Gross receipts
- $3,709,355
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 30
- Year formed
- 2007
- State of legal domicile
- SC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franci Bell Resigned | Head of School Officer | 40 | $179,483 |
| Merlin Henkel | Interim Head of Sch. Officer | 40 | $46,762 |
| Barbie Screiner | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| Katherine Hastie | Co-Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Stefi Green | Co-Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Abigail Walsh | Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| John Warren | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Matt Nelson | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Rochelle Altman | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Hailey Fennell | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Anthony James | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Helen Rogers | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| David Couey - Term Ended | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Caitlin Worsham - Term Ended | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCI BELL RESIGNED | HEAD OF SCHO Officer | 40 | $190,576 |
| MELISSA BROOKS RESIGNED | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DAVID COUEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH KANE TERM ENDED | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| STEVEN KLEINMAN TERM ENDED | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| HAILEY FENNELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| STEFI GREEN | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| KATHERINE HASTIE | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| ANTHONY JAMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BARBIE SCREINER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| ABIGAIL WALSH | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| JOHN WARREN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| CAITLIN WORSHAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MERLIN HENKEL | INTERIM HEAD Officer | 40 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCI BELL RESIGNED | HEAD OF SCHO Officer | 40 | $190,576 |
| MELISSA BROOKS RESIGNED | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DAVID COUEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH KANE TERM ENDED | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| STEVEN KLEINMAN TERM ENDED | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| HAILEY FENNELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| STEFI GREEN | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| KATHERINE HASTIE | CO-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| ANTHONY JAMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BARBIE SCREINER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| ABIGAIL WALSH | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| JOHN WARREN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| CAITLIN WORSHAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MERLIN HENKEL | INTERIM HEAD Officer | 40 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 13 OAKDALE PL, CHARLESTON, SC 29407-7260
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Merlin Henkel, 13 Oakdale Place, Charleston, SC 29407
- Signed the 990
- Merlin Henkel, Director of Finance and Operations
- Phone
- (843) 573-1033
- Website
- https://thecooperschool.org
- Return prepared by
- Glaser and Company LLC
Mission
We elevate education by recognizing how children learn is as important as what they learn.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $2,789,203 · grants $565,109 · revenue $3,425,779
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 20-8818159
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- School
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2007
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B24)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,899,655
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,709,355
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $3,650,244 | $3,280,004 | $4,899,655 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $3,329,685 | $3,159,998 | $4,695,112 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,329,685 | $3,159,998 | $4,695,112 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $2,567,361 | $2,579,436 | $4,921,877 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2022 | $2,408,069 | $1,984,952 | $4,766,637 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 20-8818159).
Questions about COOPER SCHOOL
- What is the EIN of COOPER SCHOOL?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COOPER SCHOOL is 20-8818159.
- Is COOPER SCHOOL tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2007.
- Are donations to COOPER SCHOOL tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COOPER SCHOOL file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of COOPER SCHOOL due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did COOPER SCHOOL last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of COOPER SCHOOL?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Merlin Henkel.
- Who are the officers and directors of COOPER SCHOOL?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 14 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $179,483 (Franci Bell Resigned, Head of School).
- How much revenue does COOPER SCHOOL have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,650,244, expenses of $3,280,004 and total assets of $4,899,655 at year end.
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