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South Suburban Montessori Association

EIN 34-1056728 · Brecksville, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceWeak40 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SOUTH SUBURBAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL IS TO FREE EACH CHILD'S POTENTIAL THROUGH MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES WHILE GUIDED BY OUR VALUES OF COMPASSION, AUTHETICITY, RESPECT, AND EXCELLENCE.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
41
Volunteers
135
Highest pay
$107,780, 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $2.2 million spent. SOUTH SUBURBAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (SSMS) IS COMMITTED TO THE VALUE OF AN AUTHENTIC MONTESSORI EDUCATION AND ENABLES STUDENTS TO FULFILL THEIR NATURAL LOVE OF LEARNING WHILE DEVELOPING THEIR INDIVIDUAL SELVES WITHIN A RESPECTFUL, CARING COMMUNITY. SSMS TAKES PRIDE IN OFFERING THE UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC MONTESSORI CURRICULUM TO CHILDREN FROM 18 MONTHS TO 14 YEARS OF AGE. A MULTI-YEAR AGE SPAN IN EACH CLASSROOM (18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS, 3-6 YEARS, 6-9 YEARS, 9-12 YEARS AND 12-14 YEARS) ENSURES THAT CHILDREN AT VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT CAN LEARN FROM AND WITH EACH OTHER. ALL PROGRAMS ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING EACH CHILD DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, RESPECT AND A LIFE LONG LOVE OF LEARNING.

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 April 1971.

    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.