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Santiago Middle School

EIN 20-3182558 · Orange, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SANTIAGO MIDDLE SCHOOL IS TO ASSIST ITS STUDENTS TO ATTAIN AN EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGE BY DELIVERING A QUALITY AND DISCIPLINED PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION OF UNMATCHED VALUE.

Income
$17.9 million
Spending
$19.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
25
Volunteers
5

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% 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

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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. $14.4 million spent. SANTIAGO OPERATES ITS CHARTER SCHOOL UNDER THE BELIEF THAT ADOLESCENTS DESERVE A QUALITY CURRICULUM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM AND THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A TIME FOR EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY FOR INTERESTS. WHILE OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOLS STATE-WIDE ARE CUTTING THEIR EXPLORATORY PROGRAMS, SANTIAGO CONTINUES TO WORK SO THAT THESE INVALUABLE CLASSES REMAIN A PART OF THE CURRICULUM. AS A RESULT, EACH STUDENT AT SANTIAGO HAS THE OPTION OF CHOOSING TWO PER YEAR OF THE FOLLOWING ELECTIVES: ART, VOCAL MUSIC, DRAMA, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, INDUSTRIAL ARTS, HOME ECONOMICS, BAND, ORCHESTRA, SPEECH, READING, AND MUSICAL THEATER. ALL OF THE ELECTIVE TEACHERS HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN THE AREAS OF READING AND WRITING, AND THEY INCORPORATE THESE LESSONS INTO THEIR PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF SANTIAGO'S STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM. SANTIAGO OPERATES ITS CHARTER SCHOOL UNDER THE BELIEF THAT ADOLESCENTS DESERVE A QUALITY CURRICULUM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM AND THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A TIME FOR EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY FOR INTERESTS. WHILE OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOLS STATE-WIDE ARE CUTTING THEIR EXPLORATORY PROGRAMS, SANTIAGO CONTINUES TO WORK SO THAT THESE INVALUABLE CLASSES REMAIN A PART OF THE CURRICULUM. AS A RESULT, EACH STUDENT AT SANTIAGO HAS THE OPTION OF CHOOSING TWO PER YEAR OF THE FOLLOWING ELECTIVES: ART, VOCAL MUSIC, DRAMA, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, INDUSTRIAL ARTS, HOME ECONOMICS, BAND, ORCHESTRA, SPEECH, READING, AND MUSICAL THEATER. ALL OF THE ELECTIVE TEACHERS HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN THE AREAS OF READING AND WRITING, AND THEY INCORPORATE THESE LESSONS INTO THEIR PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF SANTIAGO'S STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM.

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 August 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.