Paso Robles Charter School Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
ALMOND ACRES CHARTER ACADEMY IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ALL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS WITH AN ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGING AND CREATIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, RICH IN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES EMPHASIZING CORE CURRICULUM, THE ARTS AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TO ENSURE STUDENTS RECEIVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN A DYNAMIC SOCIETY.
- Income
- $7.5 million
- Spending
- $8.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -21.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 95%
- Employees
- 104
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $216,418, executive 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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 8% 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
0 of 20It owes 119% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
0 of 7Reports no 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)
- $6.5 million spent. OPERATION OF A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. DURING 2023-24, THE ALMOND ACRES CHARTER ACADEMY SERVED APPROXIMATELY 471 STUDENTS IN GRADES K TO 8. ALMOND ACRES CHARTER ACADEMY IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AN EDUCATION THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND SUCCESSFUL IN TODAY'S COMPLEX SOCIETY. THE COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS RELEVANT, DYNAMIC AND CHALLENGING. IT ENSURES THAT STUDENTS REMAIN ENGAGED AND FOSTERS AN INTRINSIC MOTIVATION TO LEARN. AACA PLACES A STRONG EMPHASIS ON THE CORE CURRICULUM TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES UPON ENTERING HIGH SCHOOL AND OFFERS A BALANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM BY INFUSING TECHNOLOGY, THE ARTS, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
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 November 6, 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 August 2012.
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 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.