German-American School Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
German-American School has been teaching German to children since l892. In the late l9th century the schools students came from German immigrant community and the schools purpose was to teach German literature, history, and culture (in German) to the children of German immigrants.German-American School was incorporated in 1911 by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Therefore, our German-language program is recognized by NY State and the language program of German-American School is designed to lead the students toward successful completion of the New York State Three-Year Comprehensive Regents in German. Our students take the exam at the conclusion of our program (after eight years). Once the Regents Exam is passed the student can be awarded three language credits from the students High School.The focus of todays German-American School is to teach the German language to children from all backgrounds our school attracts education-oriented parents who believe that stu
- Income
- $299,879
- Spending
- $254,831
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 104 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 4
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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 104.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 32 out of 100.
Independent board
5 of 250 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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)
- $254,831 spent. Currently 320 students ages 4-15 attend our program. We have a staff of 21 experienced teachers, many of whom have been with us for many years. No previous German language knowledge is required to enter our language program.Playgroup: ages 4-5. basic alphabet. Alphabet song. Drawing, crafts. Emphasis is on sound production. Varying activities. Singing.Kindergarten: ages 5-6. continuation of above. Plus: learning more basic words/phrases.Vorschule I, Vorschule II: for children ages 6-7 1/2 or 8. No background in German is necessary. Much play learning, coloring, drawing, singing. Children should know how to print. Homework is assigned. 1st grade: Children learn to read, speak, and write in German. Basic conjugation play learning. Stresses repetitive learning.2nd grade: continuation of lst grade. Stresses everyday conversations and vocabulary acquisition. Basic grammar (such as conjugation, irregular verbs, etc). 3rd grade: continuation of 2nd grade. Stresses all four skills. More memorization, dictations, and, of course, songs. Lots of group work with dialogues. Skits.4th grade: stress all four skills. Plus: begin paragraph writing. Retelling of stories. German culture will be discussed in English. At this point the children are usually l0 or ll years old and we begin with the formal introduction of grammar such as a frequently used past tense (for example). 5th grade: Continuation of 4th grade. More grammar. Also: paragraph writing is expanded to short compositions. Retelling of short stories. Memorization of skits and dialogues.6th grade: Continuation of 5th: Plus: Longer compositions, geography, texts on German culture in German, and short stories and texts to be read and then retold.7th grade: more reading, more conversations in groups, more reports, and, in general more advanced work than in the 6th grade.8th grade: Review of grammar. Readings from German literature and general culture. Preparation for the NY State 3-Year Comprehensive Regents Exam.The main focus of German-American School is to offer German language lessons for children. But we also have German lessons for adults in two districts: Ridgewood, Queens, and in New York City (upper East Side, in the 70s).Adult German language classes meet for 30 hours (l5 sessions, 2 hours each).The cost for 30-hours of German language instruction is $ 500.00 Our classes do not have more than 10 adults and are taught by experienced native or native fluency speakers.Beginners German I: a course for beginners or those with extremely little knowledge of German. Development of basic skills such as speaking, listening, writing. Emphasis is on speaking and everyday communication skills. Class starts in September.Beginners German II: continuation of Beginners German I. Starts in February.Intermediate German I: for those who have had Beginners II, or who have had German in High School and wish to reactivate their German language skills. The emphasis is on conversation and communicative skills. Grammar. Starts in September.Intermediate German II: Continuation of Intermediate German I. Starts in February.Advanced: German language instruction for those who have had extensive prior preparation and wish to hone their skills. Emphasis is on conversation: current events. Class starts in September and continues in February.
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 January 1947.
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.
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