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Swannanoa Valley Montessori School

EIN 22-3889575 · Black Mtn, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

With an accomplished team of caring and dedicated Montessori educators, our mission is guiding preschool-6th grade students to academic achievement, forstering a love of learning, building character, and instilling the importance of contributing to the community.

Income
$769,659
Spending
$716,758
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
18
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$71,368, vice pres exec 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $602,216 spent. Providing education in a safe and nuturing environment for children preschool to 6th grade using the Montessori method of learning. Our vision is to sustain a diverse, mindful and authentic Montessori Educational community. We help children become self-motivated, independent individuals who respect themselves and the world in which we live. We have three Childrens House preschool classrooms increasing our current enrollment capacity to 60 students. Our Elementary program serves up to 14 children from grades 1-6. Approximately 90% of our elementary students receive scholarship assistance from the State of North Carolina through either ESA Grant or the Opportunity Scholarship programs. When possible, we provide financial aid to our Childrens House students when a family needs assistance. Our goal is to be able to participate in the countys child care subsidy program in the next year to help support families with a greater financial need.
  2. In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic levels of flooding to the WNC region. BMTMs school building flooded from water runoff from the road and around the building. Once we were able to assess the damage, we learned that 6,000 square feet of flooring would need to removed and replaced. This included 6,000 sq ft of asbestos tile that was underneath the floor in the building. The process was lengthy and required the school to be closed for 8 weeks. The school was able to offer reduced programming out of a local church for 3 weeks once the Town of Black Mountain restored access to water. Volunteers helped us move classrooms, clean up after the storm, empty rooms that required restoration, track down supplies and drinking water, restore the playground after storm damages, move back into the building and clean after restoration was complete. In the aftermath of the storm, we learned that we can count on our parent and local community members to help.

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 October 2003.

    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.