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University Preparatory Academy

EIN 20-3008879 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO PREPARE A DIVERSE POPULATION OF 7-12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY TO ENTER AND EXCEL IN THE BEST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE NATION.

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$11.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
87
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$242,405, executive director

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 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 (1)
  1. $10.3 million spent. OPERATION OF A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL: UPA IS PROUD OF OUR DIVERSE 7TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE STUDENT POPULATION, WHO MOSTLY RESIDE IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY. UPA PROVIDES A STRONG, SUPPORTIVE, SMALL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. STUDENTS WILL FIND TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF THAT WILL SUPPORT AND FOSTER EACH STUDENT'S UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS. UPA PROVIDES A CARING, VIBRANT CULTURE WHERE STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN 56 CLUBS AND ALSO COMPETITIVE SPORTS AT THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, INCLUDING BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, TRACK & FIELD, AND CROSS COUNTRY. UPA VALUES THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS, PROVIDING DIRECT ACCESS TO LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES DURING THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR, INCLUDING SCHOOL BREAKS.

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 November 6, 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 July 2007.

    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 November 4, 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.