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Richard Wright Public Charter School

EIN 27-2713037 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF RICHARD WRIGHT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL FOR JOURNALISM AND MEDIA ARTS IS TO TRANSFORM STUDENTS IN GRADES 8-12 INTO WELL-VERSED MEDIAL CONTRIBUTORS BY PROVIDING A STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT THAT CONNECTS THEM TO THE CLASSIC AND MODERN LANGUAGES AND A CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON STRONG WRITING SKILLS AND VOCABULARY.

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$11.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
60
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$268,677, 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: 36 out of 100. Higher than 9% 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 93% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% 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 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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. $10.0 million spent. NAMED AFTER PROMINENT AFRICAN AMERICAN NOVELIST, RICHARD WRIGHT, THE CHARTER SCHOOL WILL EMPHASIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS' SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION AND EXPRESSION, WHILE PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER. THE CHARTER SCHOOL HAS ADOPTED THE BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL FRAMEWORK FOR GRADES 8-12 AND ALIGNED THE CURRICULUM TO DCPS LEARNING STANDARDS, WHERE APPLICABLE. THE BOSTON LATIN MODEL HAS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL FOR WELL OVER 300 YEARS. THE CHARTER SCHOOL WILL REVIEW ITS CURRICULUM ANNUALLY TO ENSURE ADHERENCE TO STATE AND FEDERAL ACADEMIC GOALS AND TO INCORPORATE BEST PRACTICES FROM EDUCATION RESEARCH.PHILOSOPHY: THE CHARTER SCHOOL WILL CONNECT OUR STUDENTS WITH THE CULTURE OF THE CLASSIC AND MODERN LANGUAGES, WHILE ENHANCING THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH AN EXPLORATION OF JOURNALISM AND MEDIA ARTS. THE CHARTER SCHOOL BELIEVES IN THE FOLLOWING CORE VALUES, WHICH WILL BE INSTILLED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF AND DEMONSTRATED BY STUDENTS ON A DAILY BASIS: O SELF-DISCIPLINE O ACADEMIC RIGOR O MORAL CONVICTION O SELF-RESPECT O POSITIVE ENERGY.

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 August 2014.

    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.