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Theresa Hessling Charter School Project

EIN 33-0931009 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION IS TO SUPPORT A PROGRESSIVE, DEVELOPMENTALLY BASED, CHILD-CENTERED COMMUNITY FOR ACTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE STUDENT LEARNING WHERE SHARED VALUES OF FAMILY, DIVERSITY, RELATIONSHIP, CREATIVITY AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FLOURISH.

Income
$8.2 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
139
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$191,120, executive dir.

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (2)
  1. $5.8 million spent. SAN DIEGO COOPERATIVE CHARTER SCHOOL SDCCS: OPERATION OF A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 AT THE ORGANIZATION'S LINDA VISTA AND MOUNTAIN VIEW CAMPUSES. CONSTRUCTIVSM IS THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY. THE SCHOOL'S UNIQUE TEACHING METHOD PROVIDES EDUCATION TO STUDENTS THROUGH EXPLORATION, REASONING AND DISCUSSION. SAN DIEGO COOPERATIVE CHARTER SCHOOL IS DISTINCTIVE FOR ITS SMALL CLASS SIZES, THE GROWING DIVERSITY OF THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS, THE HIGH QUALITY OF ITS TEACHERS, A CARING AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, AND THE STRENGTH OF ITS CURRICULUM. THE SCHOOL'S GOAL FOR EACH STUDENT IS ALWAYS THE SAME: TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCES THAT WILL BEGIN A LIFELONG PROCESS OF DICOVERY LEADING TO A RICHLY REWARDING AND HAPPY LIFE.
  2. OPERATION OF AN EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM EDP TO OFFER A QUALITY BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE PROGRAM THAT IS BASED ON THE SAME COOPERATIVE PHILOSOPHY EMPLOYED BY THE CHARTER SCHOOL, WHICH PROVIDES A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ENCOURAGES PARENT PARTICIPATION. EDP IS A HIGH QUALITY, WELL-SUPERVISED PROGRAM WHICH OFFERS A BALANCE OF ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND PROVIDES A CREATIVE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN.

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 October 13, 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 June 2002.

    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 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.