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Challenge Preparatory Charter School

EIN 27-2203903 · Far Rockaway, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PREPARE STUDENTS FROM THE GREATER FAR ROCKAWAY AREA OF NEW YORK CITY TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, TO DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF THE NEW YORK STATE AND COMMON CORE LEARNING STANDARDS, AND TO ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS.

Income
$29.6 million
Spending
$32.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
246
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$329,909, sr. director, teaching & learning

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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% 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

    0 of 20

    It owes 104% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

    7 of 7 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. $28.9 million spent. THE MISSION OF CHALLENGE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL (CHALLENGE) IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FROM THE GREATER FAR ROCKAWAY COMMUNITY TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, TO DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF THE NYS AND NEXT GENERATION LEARNING STANDARDS AND TO ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS. CHALLENGE CULTIVATES AND SUPPORTS THE INTELLECTUAL, AESTHETIC, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STUDENTS AND PREPARES THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE 21ST CENTURY CITIZENS. TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION, CHALLENGE OFFERS A RIGOROUS INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, TECHNOLOGY-INFUSED AND DATA-ENRICHED SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.SINCE 2010, CHALLENGE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL HAS SERVED FAMILIES IN FAR ROCKAWAY, NY OFFERING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION IN A SUPPORTIVE AND RIGOROUS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. WE ARE THE ONLY SCHOOL ON THE PENINSULA TO OFFER KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EARLY COLLEGE EDUCATION. FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, THE SCHOOL SERVED APPROXIMATELY 1,194 STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 12TH.

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 July 2013.

    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.