The Riviera Ridge School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
What We Do | MissionWe provide student-centered, individualized learning in a joyful, and nurturing community, inspiring academic excellence and valuing difference.Why We Do It | VisionTo empower individual potential, inspire purpose beyond self, and cultivate social responsibility.Ideas We Live By | ValuesAcademic Excellence, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Diversity, Ethical Responsibility, Joy, Kindness, Resilience.
- Income
- $15.5 million
- Spending
- $11.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- -4.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Employees
- 97
- Volunteers
- 24
- Highest pay
- $362,431, 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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 53% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 56% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $7.3 million spent. At The Riviera Ridge School...- We foster a progressive educational model and capitalize on emerging technologies to create learning experiences that connect students to each other and the global community.- We are committed to our work in cultivating and maintaining a welcoming school community for all students, faculty, and families.- We partner with families to share their journey, watching each student grow intellectually, socially,emotionally, and physically.- We provide a distinct, personalized learning environment to develop the unique potential of each student, building enthusiastic, kind, confident, and resilient critical thinkers, learners, and leaders.At The Riviera Ridge School- Our Teachers provide an integrated and inclusive approach to social and emotional learning that provides a safe and equitable learning environment for all learners.- Our students develop a solid foundation in a diverse array of subject areas including Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, World Religions, Visual & Performing Arts, Media Literacy & Technology, and Physical Education.- Our Graduates leave The Riviera Ridge School with a strong sense of themselves as individuals and a deep understanding and commitment to a thoughtful set of lifelong core values.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.