Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 4200 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (ISAAC) is an independent charter school that was founded in 1997. During the 2024-2025 school year, ISAAC expanded to include grade 4, in addition to serving grades 6-8, to identify and address student learning difficulties earlier. This expansion allows for timely interventions, stronger foundational skills, and continuity in instruction, particularly in literacy and math. Early data shows improved reading fluency, comprehension, and student engagement. ISAAC also introduced a flexible classroom approach, promoting student-centered learning through varied seating and collaborative workspaces. Aligned with ISAAC's motto, "Effort Creates Ability and All Students Can Succeed," these practices are supported by a rigorous, teacher-written curriculum, Interim Assessment Blocks, and daily math instruction for sixth graders to close achievement gaps. Partnerships with local organizations and the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place for Hate" prog
- Income
- $7.0 million
- Spending
- $6.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 74
- Highest pay
- $260,371, executive dir.
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
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4200 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $5.6 million spent. Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (ISAAC) is an independent charter school that was founded in 1997. ISAAC serves students in grades six through eight and is the sole charter middle school in New London and southeastern Connecticut. ISAAC provides a safe, nurturing, and diverse middle school that delivers a highly rigorous curriculum that promotes effort through a positive mindset. ISAAC is focused on the motto all students can succeed with hard work and grit. The staff has written curriculum in a new common format and additional programs to identify learning gaps and social disparities to cultivate success for every student. ISAAC is committed to establishing equity for all students in terms of access to technology and transportation and providing engaging after-school programs that reflect cultural and athletic interests. ISAAC enjoys partnerships with local organizations such as the Mystic Seaport, Ivoryton Playhouse, United States Coast Guard Academy, Mitchell College, Project Oceanology, and Mystic Aquarium, to name a few. Furthermore, ISAAC has partnered with the Ant-Defamation League (ADL) to become a No Place for Hate school through its existing advisory program.
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.