Sycamore School Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 79 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Sycamore School exists so that academically gifted children can experience the enriched, accelerated education they need to reach their potential and lead responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives.
- Income
- $11.0 million
- Spending
- $10.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 89%
- Employees
- 139
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $321,739, 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 79 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 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (4)
- $2.8 million spent. THE SYCAMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES ACADEMICALLY GIFTED YOUNG ADOLESCENTS IN FIFTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADES AND PROVIDES THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO BRANCH OUT FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE LOWER GRADES. STUDENTS MOVE FROM CLASS TO CLASS AND RECEIVE INSTRUCTION FROM MANY TEACHERS. THE PROGRAM IS RIGOROUS AND BOTH ACCELERATED AND ENRICHED IN A MANNER SPECIFICALLY DIFFERENTIATED FOR GIFTED LEARNERS. A MAIN FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS LEARNING TO DEVELOP PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND RELIANCE UPON ADULTS FOR GUIDANCE AND LIMITS. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED ADOLESCENTS AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR INCREASING ABILITY FOR COMPLEX THOUGHT. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) IN A MORE TYPICAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WITH A BROADER MISSION, CURRICULUM AND ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY CHALLENGING TO PROVIDE FOR INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS AND HABITS. STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONs FROM SPECIALISTS IN SPANISH, ART APPRECIATION, MUSIC AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. EACH CLASSROOM IS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR COMPUTERS, AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS GO TO THE COMPUTER LAB FOR ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION. CHILDREN IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF PRESCHOOL BEGIN COMPUTER INSTRUCTION USING IPADS IN THEIR CLASSROOM. (Expenses $ 2,294,552 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,014,097) OTHER PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE MISSION AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL INCLUDE: EXTENDED PROGRAMS, INCLUDING GENERAL AFTER-SCHOOL CARE, SPECIALIZED AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, SUMMER PROGRAMS, ATHLETICS, ACADEMIC TEAMS, AND THE ANNUAL GIRLS STEAM CONFERENCE; TECHNOLOGY EXPENSE DIRECTLY TIED TO CURRICULUM DELIVERY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT; SUPPORT SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH "TWICE EXCEPTIONALITIES" (GIFTEDNESS PLUS ADD, DYSLEXIA, ETC.) AS WELL AS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT, AND MEDICAL CARE THROUGH THE NURSE'S STATION; THE FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM, WHICH SUPPORTS STUDENT WELL BEING THROUGH DAILY NUTRITIONAL SERVICES.
- $1.6 million spent. THE LOWER SCHOOL DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL IS COMPRISED OF STUDENTS IN GRADES FIRST THROUGH FOURTH. THE EDUCATION AT THIS LEVEL IS BASED UPON SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS IN KEY COMPONENTS OF A TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM: CONTENT: THE CONTENT OF THE CURRICULUM IS COORDINATED AROUND READING AND OTHER LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES AND THE ARTS. STUDENTS STUDY CONTENT THAT IS MORE ABSTRACT, MORE COMPLEX, BROADER AND DEEPER THAN THE NORM. STUDIES ARE BOTH ACCELERATED AND ENRICHED THROUGH FLEXIBLE GROUPING STRATEGIES, FIELD TRIPS, RESOURCE PERSONNEL, MENTORS AND WRITTEN AND VISUAL MEDIA. INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC, ART, SPANISH, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS PROVIDED BY SPECIALISTS IN THOSE AREAS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THINKING SKILLS: AFTER ESTABLISHING A SOLID KNOWLEDGE BASE, EMPHASIS IS ON CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS, PROBLEM SOLVING AND LOGICAL REASONING, RESEARCH SKILLS AND A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS. PRODUCTS: STUDENTS ARE ASSISTED IN INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP INVESTIGATIONS OF REAL PROBLEMS THAT NECESSITATE RESEARCH AND INVOLVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRODUCT. THEY LEARN TO DEVELOP PRODUCTS IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES: WRITTEN, ORAL, MEDIA/VISUAL ARTS AND PERFORMING ARTS. ENVIRONMENT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIVE SELF ESTEEM, INDEPENDENCE, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, LEADERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY, APPRECIATION OF DIVERSITY, AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF ONE'S GIFTEDNESS ARE AIMS OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL. TEACHERS PROMOTE CONCERN AND COMPASSION, RISK-TAKING, CURIOSITY, ORGANIZATION, COMMUNICATION AND IMAGINATION BY ESTABLISHING CLASSROOMS THAT ARE COMPLEX, OPEN-ENDED, AND ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENTS.
- $1.5 million spent. THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DIVISION OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL IS DIRECTED TOWARD STUDENTS RANGING IN AGE FROM 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN. THE CURRICULUM PROVIDES ENRICHING, STIMULATING ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES FOR THE YOUNG GIFTED CHILD. CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO PLAY, WORK, AND LEARN IN A SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE THAT SETS FREE A CHILD'S CURIOSITY AND INTERESTS, ENCOURAGING EXPLORATION AND EXPERIMENTATION. THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO PRODUCE HAPPY, SELF-CONFIDENT CHILDREN WITH POSITIVE FEELINGS TOWARD THEMSELVES, LEARNING AND SCHOOL. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN UNITS OF STUDY AND USE A VARIETY OF MATERIALS. PRESCHOOL STUDENTS READ AND WRITE TO THE EXTENT OF THEIR ABILITY. HANDWRITING INSTRUCTION BEGINS IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN. READING AND MATH INSTRUCTION BEGIN IN KINDERGARTEN, AND CHILDREN ARE GROUPED WITH OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR SKILLS. SYCAMORE'S MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO GIVE STUDENTS A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER STUDY AND ENABLES THEM TO FUNCTION AS AUTONOMOUS LEARNERS. AT SYCAMORE, SUBJECTS DO NOT EXIST AS COMPLETELY SEPARATE ENTITIES, BUT OVERLAP AND INTERRELATE AS THE STUDENT BEGINS TO MAKE GREATER SENSE OF THE LARGER WORLD. IN ADDITION TO LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE LEARNING, THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPS STUDENTS' ABILITIES TO THINK CRITICALLY, EVALUATE, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, REASON, SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND VALUE THE DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS, HERITAGES, AND EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. STUDENTS RECEIVE DAILY INSTRUCTION IN HISTORY, LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE. MATH CLASSES ARE GROUPED ACROSS GRADE LEVELS ACCORDING TO STUDENTS' LEVEL OF SKILL AND CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE A YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA. ADVANCED STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE GEOMETRY AND ALGEBRA II. SPECIAL CLASSES MEET BETWEEN ONE TO THREE PERIODS PER WEEK THAT INCLUDE ART, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND SPANISH. STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AND/OR CHOIR. SYCAMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN MANY AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A FULL RANGE OF SPORTS, DRAMA, AND VARIOUS ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS. SERVICE PROJECTS, SPEAKERS, TRIPS, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE OVERNIGHT TRIPS TO VARIOUS CITIES WITHIN INDIANA AND OTHER LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE FLORIDA KEYS, THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, CULVER ACADEMY AND WASHINGTON D.C. (Expenses $ 2,294,552 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,014,097) OTHER PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE MISSION AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL INCLUDE: EXTENDED PROGRAMS, INCLUDING GENERAL AFTER-SCHOOL CARE, SPECIALIZED AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, SUMMER PROGRAMS, ATHLETICS, ACADEMIC TEAMS, AND THE ANNUAL GIRLS STEAM CONFERENCE; TECHNOLOGY EXPENSE DIRECTLY TIED TO CURRICULUM DELIVERY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT; SUPPORT SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH "TWICE EXCEPTIONALITIES" (GIFTEDNESS PLUS ADD, DYSLEXIA, ETC.) AS WELL AS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT, AND MEDICAL CARE THROUGH THE NURSE'S STATION; THE FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM, WHICH SUPPORTS STUDENT WELL BEING THROUGH DAILY NUTRITIONAL SERVICES.
- $2.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE MISSION AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF SYCAMORE SCHOOL INCLUDE: EXTENDED PROGRAMS, INCLUDING GENERAL AFTER-SCHOOL CARE, SPECIALIZED AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, SUMMER PROGRAMS, ATHLETICS, ACADEMIC TEAMS, AND THE ANNUAL GIRLS STEAM CONFERENCE; TECHNOLOGY EXPENSE DIRECTLY TIED TO CURRICULUM DELIVERY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT; SUPPORT SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH "TWICE EXCEPTIONALITIES" (GIFTEDNESS PLUS ADD, DYSLEXIA, ETC.) AS WELL AS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT, AND MEDICAL CARE THROUGH THE NURSE'S STATION; THE FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM, WHICH SUPPORTS STUDENT WELL BEING THROUGH DAILY NUTRITIONAL SERVICES.
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 October 13, 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 October 1985.
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 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.