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Swan River Montessori Charter School

EIN 20-1452996 · Monticello, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A CHILD-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT FOR SELF-DIRECTED AND PERSONALIZED LEARNING IN A SMALL, COMMUNITY-BASED PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
41
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$97,860, school direc

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 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 117% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 7 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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. $2.1 million spent. MONTESSORI EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY GRADES K-6: SWAN RIVER MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL IS THE FIRST AND ONLY PUBLIC MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN WRIGHT COUNTY MINNESOTA. THE SCHOOL FIRST OPENED FOR THE 2005-06 ACADEMIC YEAR AND PROVIDES AND AUTHENTIC MONTESSORI EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN FROM 33 MONTHS THROUGH GRADE SIX. IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR 156 STUDENTS WERE SERVED. SWAN RIVER'S CHARTER SCHOOL SPONSOR IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED OSPREY WILDS ENVIROMENTAL LEARNING CENTER. THE STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE AUDUBON CENTER AS PART OF THEIR STUDIES. SWAN RIVER HAS AN AUTHENTIC MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT. ALL TEACHERS ARE MONTESSORI TRAINED AND HOLD CURRENT MINNESOTA TEACHER LICENSES.
  2. $133,644 spent. FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM:SWAN RIVER MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL OFFERS ALL STUDENTS A HOT LUNCH EACH DAY. THE SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN THE NATIONAL LUNCH PROGRAM.
  3. $103,765 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES EDUCATION:PROVIDES FOR AN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM AND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF SUCH SERVICES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.