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East Harlem Scholars Academy

EIN 27-4713450 · New York, 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

EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMIES ARE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT PREPARE STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS, STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, LEAD IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND REALIZE THEIR BEST POSSIBLE SELVES. SCHOLARS ACADEMIES WERE FOUNDED BY EAST HARLEM TUTORIAL PROGRAM (EHTP), A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1958.

Income
$36.1 million
Spending
$41.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
307
Volunteers
101
Highest pay
$304,349, chief executive officer

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 103% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

    10 of 10 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. $35.8 million spent. EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMIES IS GROUNDED IN OUR CORE VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES THAT HELP INSTILL IN OUR SCHOLARS A DEEP SENSE OF AWARENESS, SELF-ADVOCACY, COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, AND INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY.EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMIES BELIEVES THAT THE BEST LEARNING OCCURS WHEN CHILDREN ENGAGE IN HIGHER-ORDER, CRITICAL THINKING. TO THRIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE AND SUCCESSFULLY PURSUE BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES, OUR STUDENTS LEARN TO QUESTION, ANALYZE, AND APPLY THEIR LEARNING MEANINGFULLY. STUDENTS DEVELOP THE ESSENTIAL CRITICAL REASONING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN THEIR ENDEAVORS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. WE VALUE A NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS STUDENTS' LOVE OF LEARNING AND OF THEMSELVES. WE PLACE A PREMIUM ON STUDENTS' COGNITIVE, CREATIVE, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, BLENDING RIGOR WITH JOY TO ENSURE OUR SCHOLARS ARE INSPIRED TO LEARN. STUDENTS EXPLORE THEIR INDIVIDUAL ASPIRATIONS THROUGH THE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE, DEVELOPING RICH PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THEIR LEARNING.OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY INSTILLS IN ALL SCHOLARS A DEEP SENSE OF SELF-ESTEEM, CULTURAL PRIDE, AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY SO THAT THEY DEVELOP INTO THEIR BEST POSSIBLE SELVES. DIVERSITY IS AN ASSET TO OUR LEARNING SPACE, AND OUR SCHOLARS ARE ENGAGED WITH AND ARE AWARE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND PERSPECTIVES AS THEY DEVELOP A RICH UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD IN WHICH THEY LIVE. WE VALUE ACTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS A WAY TO ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. FAMILIES AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY ARE MUTUAL STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR SCHOLARS' EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. HAVING ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM POSITIONS STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL, AND OUR SCHOLARS' COMMITMENT TO SERVICE PROMOTES OUR VISION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND A DESIRE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.OUR SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION FROM 8:15 A.M. TO 3:45 P.M. MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND FRIDAY. ON WEDNESDAYS, SCHOLARS DISMISS AT 1:30 P.M., AFTER WHICH TIME STAFF PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. STUDENTS HAVE DAILY BLOCKS OF ELA, MATH, AND SCIENCE OR SOCIAL STUDIES, IN ADDITION TO DAILY ROTATING SPECIALS/ENRICHMENT CLASSES (E.G., SPANISH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, OR MUSIC) AND RECESS. OUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM OPERATES MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, 3:45 - 6:00 PM; WED, 1:45 - 6:00 PM.

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 October 2012.

    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.