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College Prep Elementary

EIN 35-2344965 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PREPARE SCHOLARS TO BUILD CHARACTER AND ACCEPT OF THE VALUE OF VARIOUS CULTURES

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
47
Highest pay
$105,526, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 88% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 6 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, 2024, 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. $3.0 million spent. THE COLLEGE PREP ELEMENTARY CPE IS A CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATING IN THE SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2009 TO SERVE HMONG AND MINORITY FAMILIES THROUGH A SPECIALIZED FOCUS ON COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS BY HAVING A SMALL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION OF PREPARING EVERYSTUDENT TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND CAREER. THE SCHOOL UTILIZES RESEARCH-BASED, PROVEN METHODS TO PROMOTE ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND LITERACY, MATHEMATICS PROFICIENCY, SCIENCE MASTERY, AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE LEARNING PROCESS. THE SCHOOL PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A STRONG EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WITHIN A LEARNING COMMUNITY THAT BUILDS SELF-CONFIDENCE AND AWARENESS OF DIVERSE CULTURES AND IDEAS. THE SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME.IN 2023-2024, CPE HAD AN AVERAGE ENROLLMENT OF 160 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.