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Mile Square Early Learning Center

EIN 22-2221257 · Hoboken, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO GIVE EACH CHILD A WARM AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND SELF REGULATION SKILLS, WHICH FOSTERS A HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT AND STRONG SELF IMAGE. OUR TEACHERS MANIFEST THEIR RESPECT FOR CHILDREN BY ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, MAKE DECISIONS, WORK TOWARDS THEIR OWN SOLUTIONS, AND EXPRESS THEIR OWN IDEAS AND FEELINGS. TO SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL LEARNING, THE ORGANIZATION ENCOURAGES AN ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL. THE ORGANIZATION'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE BASED UPON THE PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE AND ENCOURAGES ON-GOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO FOSTER CONTINUING EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTICE.

Income
$11.9 million
Spending
$11.6 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 81%
Employees
199
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$114,627, 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% 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 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $10.8 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PRESCHOOL SERVICES IN THE CITY OF HOBOKEN, NJ. THE ORGANIZATION IS FUNDED BY THE HOBOKEN BOARD OF EDUCATION AND PARENT FEES For WRAP AROUND SERVICES AS WELL AS FOR CHILDREN THAT MISSED THE SCHOOL CUTOFF FROM 2 YEARS OR OLDER. THIS PROGRAM IS CALLED THE PRESCHOOL TRANSITION PROGRAM. THE HOBOKEN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM IS FUNDED PARTIALLY BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THROUGH THE HOBOKEN BOARD OF EDUCATION. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES TO AN ESTIMATED 645 CHILDREN, 3 AND 4 YEARS OF AGE, AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR 180 DAYS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. THESE CHILDREN ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR OUR WRAP SERVICES AND SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS. OF THE ALMOST 645 CHILDREN, 261 (41%) ARE IN NEED OF EXTENDED HOURS PROVIDED THROUGH THE WRAP PROGRAM. THIS IS AVAILABLE ON A FEE FOR SERVICE OR VOUCHER BASIS ACCORDING TO INCOME AND FAMILY SIZE. WE ALSO PROVIDE A SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR ABOUT 100 OF THESE CHILDREN.THE ENTIRE PROGRAM PROVIDES EARLY EDUCATION AND FAMILY SERVICES FROM 7:30AM TO 8:30AM AND 2:30PM TO 6:00PM DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND FULL TIME DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS FROM 7:30AM TO 5:30PM. ABOUT 41% OF THE HOBOKEN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM CHILDREN NEED THIS EXTENDED SERVICE. IT IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER FAMILIES UNLESS SPECIALLY APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.NJ PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN REQUIRE MEAL SERVICE OF SOME KIND. RECENTLY, WE SWITCHED TO A CHOICE SYSTEM BECAUSE MANY OF OUR FAMILIES WANTED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN FOOD. FAMILIES CAN EITHER PURCHASE MEALS MONTHLY OR ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS OR SEND FOOD FROM HOME BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE OR PURCHASE HEALTHY AGE APPROPRIATE FOOD FOR THEIR CHILDREN.MILE SQUARE ELC DOES NOT PROVIDE GRANTS TO ANY OTHER AGENCIES.

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 October 13, 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 September 1980.

    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 October 21, 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.