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Christel House Academy Inc

EIN 02-0550824 · Indianapolis, IN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHRISTEL HOUSE SCHOOLS is a network of public charter schools in Indianapolis whose objective is to offer a transformational and high quality educational experience for impoverished urban population.

Income
$31.9 million
Spending
$29.1 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
352
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$363,358, ceo/board president-no voting rights

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $20.6 million spent. EDUCATION - CHRISTEL HOUSE ACADEMY OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS AT TWO SCHOOL LOCATIONS IN GRADES K-12. STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT USING THE INDIANA ACADEMIC STANDARDS, INCLUDING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS SKILLS, IN ADDITION TO A VARIETY OF ELECTIVE COURSES. ENHANCED CURRICULUM OFFERS SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION AROUND 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY SKILLS, THE INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY CURRICULUM, WORKPLACE CERTIFICATIONS AND DUAL CREDIT OFFERINGS. CHARACTER AND VALUES EDUCATION LESSONS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE ESTABLISHED COURSEWORK. ADDITIONALLY, COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING OCCURS THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND SUPPORT SERVICES ARE EXTENDED TO GRADUATES FOR MULTIPLE YEARS BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.
  2. $7.3 million spent. ADULT EDUCATION - CHRISTEL HOUSE DORS (DROP OUT RECOVERY SCHOOL) OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR ADULT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT TWO SCHOOLS IN THREE SEPARATE LOCATIONS. STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT GENERAL ACADEMIC STANDARDS INCLUDING CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION BASED ON STUDENT NEEDS. DORS SERVES A DIVERSE POPULATION AND PROVIDE STUDENTS A VARIETY OF SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING COLLEGE AND CAREER SUPPORT, DUAL CREDIT OPTIONS, AND WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION TRAINING. SUPPORT SERVICES ARE EXTENDED TO GRADUATES FOR MULTIPLE YEARS BEYOND GRADUATION.
  3. $214,030 spent. TEACHER TRAINING - CHRISTEL HOUSE INDYTEACH is a paid teacher apprenticeship program, leading to state licensing, that is embedded in Christel House Schools. This is a one-year program where the apprentice teachers primarily work with mentors in the school, while completing on the job training. IndyTeach is a non-higher education, non-credit bearing, state approved alternative licensing program that focuses on preparation for teaching an impoverished, urban student population.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.