Crown Leadership Academy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Crown is a setting where students are not merely taught but become catalysts in their own learning. Students demonstrate mastery in an approach that is authentic and meaningful throughout integrated courses, earning Crown the coveted STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Certification from the South Carolina Independent School Association. Crowns unique schedule gives students lessons in time management and personal responsibility. Crown has received Advanced Accreditation through Cognia.
- Income
- $3.7 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $94,551, sec and principal
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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $1.9 million spent. Crown began when a group of educators, parents, and business leaders came together with a shared dream: to create a learning environment that would challenge students to become critical thinkers, and leaders equipped to influence their communities and the world. We envisioned a culture that nurtured within students a genuine love for people, creative expression, and wisdom and integrity.That dream took shape when seven students and two teachers pioneered Crown Leadership Academy in a one-room schoolhouse tucked inside an office building on Coleman Boulevard in Mt. Pleasant, SC. As the academy grew, we spent two years at Holy Cross on Sullivan's Island before moving into one of our current campuses on Long Point Drive, in Mt. Pleasant.In 2019, Crown expanded its reach by opening our North Charleston campus at North Palm Community Church, extending our mission and welcoming a new group of students and families into the Crown community.Project Based LearningNurturing originality is inherent in every aspect of teaching and learning at Crown. Our teachers are passionate about presenting creative and individualized information to students. We encourage everyone at Crown to express creativity in their assignments. Students who think for themselves and have curious minds will exercise these gifts and fulfill their highest goals.Team multi-disciplinary projects require accessing all available resources, encouraging introspection and communication, and accepting personal and group responsibility. Teachers evaluate these projects not just on the content students learn, but the skills they hone to work in teams as adults. Conflict resolution is built as peers navigate how to work together. We realize that this is a difficult skill for many young people, but we feel it is crucial in our students' future success.We use SC State Educational Standards as the outline of what is covered in academic classes throughout every grade level. Class discussions and "driving questions" shape the direction that students run in order to learn academic material, while also growing in practical skills. Students show mastery of material through project evaluation, presentation, classroom participation and assignments. Traditional print textbooks rarely drive the learning at Crown; however, we do use the following textbooks in math and in language arts:Math Teaching Textbooks , McRuffy Math; CK12 Language Arts McRuffy.Executive Functioning SkillsWorkload ManagementWe aim for our students to be individuals who experience a balanced life that includes time with family and participation in sporting, artistic and community events that contribute to their growth. Our students manage their time at school wisely so that they rarely have homework. Each student has scheduled time daily to work on independent assignments with peers and teachers.ScheduleStudents attend academic classes Monday through Thursday, from 9:00am to 3:15pm. If a student completes his or her schoolwork by Thursday at 2:00, Friday attendance is not required. Each morning begins with Prayer, Worship, and our School Meeting where we discuss issues affecting our school, community and world. Generally, we take a one week break following each quarter. In addition, Crown allows distance-learning arrangements to accommodate family travels and other out-of-town experiences, when coordinated with teachers in advance.EnrichmentCrown students are encouraged to explore special interests outside the classroom. Fridays are wonderful opportunities for volunteering, hobbies, and extra-curricular lessons. High School students may earn credit by meeting with our Guidance Counselor prior to the experience for approval and then presenting upon completion. Our students have participated in sailing training, art lessons, internships, photography classes, business entrepreneurship, and travel. New Mount Pleasant Campus 2025-2026Crown Leadership Academy is finalizing preparations for the 2025-2026 school year in its new, customized and expanded campus at 546 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant. This move marks a significant milestone in the school's fifteen-year history, reflecting its ongoing commitment to award-winning academic excellence, innovative learning environments, and the well-being of its students, staff, and broader community.North Charleston LocationOur North Charleston Campus began in 2019, conveniently located on Cross County Road at North Palm Community Church
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.