Orchard School Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 69 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
DEVELOP AND EDUCATE THE WHOLE CHILD. AS A PROGRESSIVE, NON-SECTARIAN, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL, ORCHARD COMMITS TO ADVANCING EACH STUDENT'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS, SELF-CONFIDENCE, OPEN-MINDEDNESS, ETHICAL CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, AND LOVE OF LEARNING.
- Income
- $16.9 million
- Spending
- $17.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 22.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 191
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $319,720, 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 22.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 69 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 2524 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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 (3)
- $6.0 million spent. THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY 304 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH THE 4TH GRADE. THE FOCUS IS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE CHILD - SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, ARTISTICALLY, AND ETHICALLY WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE AND CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT. DURING THESE FORMATIVE YEARS, WHEN CHILDREN ARE CURIOUS AND INQUISITIVE, ORCHARD SCHOOL PROVIDES THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND EXPERIMENT. CHILDREN LEARN BEST BY DOING AND, THEREFORE, ARE ENCOURAGED TO THINK, REASON, CREATE, AND COLLABORATE THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE LEARNING PROCESS.
- $4.8 million spent. MIDDLE SCHOOL INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 188 STUDENTS IN GRADES FIVE THROUGH EIGHT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION, INCLUDING CORE ACADEMICS, ARTS, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ATHLETICS. IT CENTERS AROUND THE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF YOUNG ADOLESCENTS. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS DEVELOP INCREASED INDEPENDENCE, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AS THEY ENCOUNTER INCREASINGLY HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FOR ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL EXCELLENCE.
- $2.2 million spent. EXTENSION PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS AND INCLUDE SUMMER CAMP, AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE, CLUBS, CLASSES, AND ATHLETICS. THESE PROGRAMS GIVE STUDENTS A BROAD-BASED EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. SUMMER CAMPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO NON-ORCHARD STUDENTS.
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 April 1955.
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.