Houston, TX

Joy Development School (The Joy School)

EIN 76-0547112

Children & youth People with disabilities

Mission

The Joy School prepares students with learning differences in grades K–8 to return to traditional classroom settings by enabling them to reach their academic and social potential in a safe, supportive environment.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) school Contributions are tax-deductible

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About Joy Development School (The Joy School)

The Joy School (legal name: Joy Development School) is a nonsectarian, independent K–8 day school in Houston that provides individualized instruction and support for intellectually capable students with learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, language disorders, autism spectrum level 1, executive functioning challenges, etc.). The school emphasizes small class sizes, low student‑teacher ratios (approximately 6:1 in K–2 and 8:1 in grades 3–8), transitional outcomes that prepare most students to return to mainstream public or private schools, and a combination of academic, social, and family supports. The organization maintains active accreditation and has completed recent capital improvements (including a new activity center) and continues regular programming, summer offerings, and tutoring/speech services.

Notable achievements

Established K–8 specialized program (1997)

Founded in 1997, the school has grown from a handful of students to a sustained K–8 program serving roughly 160 students from across the Greater Houston area, focused on short‑term, high‑impact interventions that return students to mainstream placements.

Accreditation milestone

The Joy School was the first Houston school for students with learning differences to earn accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, reflecting sustained institutional standards in governance and academics.

Major capital expansion — Mary & Dick Watt Activity Center

Following a $3 million gift in 2022 and the Dream Big campaign, the school completed the Mary & Dick Watt Activity Center (an ~11,000 sq. ft. multipurpose facility) in 2023 to expand programming, athletics, and student supports.

At a glance

Total assets: $32.4M
Annual revenue: $11.6M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)School
EIN: 76-0547112
Location: Houston, TX
Website: www.thejoyschool.org
On Mahalo since: September 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Four‑star / high accountability rating from major charity assessment sources and positive financial/organizational evaluations.

Accredited member of regional and national independent school associations (Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and National Association of Independent Schools affiliations/membership).

Regularly listed and active in nonprofit registries and tax‑filing databases (maintains Form 990 filings and is listed in nonprofit explorer services).

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