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City Academy Inc

EIN 31-1619379 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O.CITY ACADEMY TRANSFORMS CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION AND BOLD EXPECTATIONS THAT EMPOWER CHILDREN TO OVERCOME BARRIERS.

Income
$13.5 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
29 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 60%
Employees
89
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$200,615, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 88% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 29 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $5.8 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OCITY ACADEMY WAS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT FAMILY INCOME SHOULD NOT DETERMINE A CHILD'S ACCESS TO AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION. THE SCHOOL SERVES COMMITTED FAMILIES WHOSE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITED DUE TO ECONOMIC OR GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS. CITY ACADEMY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO CHILDREN AGES THREE THROUGH GRADE SIX, AND HAS AN ENROLLMENT OF 236 STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. FAMILIES COME FROM 45 ZIP CODES, AND 90% LIVE IN COMMUNITIES WITH UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOLS. THE SCHOOL IS THE ONLY PRIVATE, INDEPENDENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN ST. LOUIS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT TO 100% OF ITS STUDENTS. CITY ACADEMY FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY, CITIZENSHIP, AND ACADEMIC RIGOR. SMALL CLASSES AND DEDICATED FACULTY PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL SUCCESS. GRADUATES CURRENTLY ATTEND CHAMINADE, CROSSROADS, INCARNATE WORD, JOHN BURROUGHS, MICDS, PRIORY, THOMAS JEFFERSON, VILLA, WESTMINSTER, AND WHITFIELD SCHOOL (THE SCHOOL DOES NOT RECOGNIZE "GRANT EXPENSE" FOR THE FINANCIAL AID PROVIDED. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE I SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SECTION "ACCOUNTING POLICY FOR TUITION AID" FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.)

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 November 1998.

    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.