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Princeton Charter School Inc

EIN 22-3505511 · Princeton, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PCS'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE ITS DIVERSE STUDENT BODY THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATION BY FOCUSING ON THE FUNDAMENTAL ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT AFFIRMS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND IN SO DOING, TO OFFER THE COMMUNITY TRUE CHOICE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. PCS BELIEVES THAT A "THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT" EDUCATION IS BEST ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A RIGOROUS CURRICULUM THAT REQUIRES MASTERY OF CORE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.

Income
$10.5 million
Spending
$10.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
71
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$205,952, head of school

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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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

    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 (3)
  1. $9.3 million spent. PRINCETON CHARTER SCHOOL IS A K-8 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL WHO OPERATES IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT OF 1995. PRINCETON CHARTER SCHOOL IS ALSO CONSIDERED A LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (LEA) PER THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THE STUDENTS' EDUCATION IS GUIDED BY THE NJ CORE CURRICULUM STANDARDS IN THE AREAS OF READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, WORLD LANGUAGES, THE ARTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH. THERE ARE NO BARRIERS TO ADMISSION, A RANDOM LOTTERY IS HELD IN JANUARY OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR. THE DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE SCHOOL ARE RIGOROUS CURRICULA WITH WELL-DEFINED GRADE-BY GRADE OUTCOMES IN LINE WITH STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS THAT FOCUS ON CUMULATIVE ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, SCIENCE, WORLD LANGUAGES AND THE ARTS.
  2. $31,845 spent. FEDERAL NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT - TITLE I & TITLE II, PART A
  3. $72,166 spent. FEDERAL IDEA GRANT, ALLOCATED TO THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on July 15, 2011.

    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 January 2012.

    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.