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Downtown Montessori Academy Inc

EIN 39-1851636 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CREATE A MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE CHILD'S EARLY EXPERIENCES WITH LEARNING WILL HELP HIM OR HER TO BECOME A SELF-CONFIDENT, COMPETENT, COOPERATIVE ADULT.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
46
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$142,873, 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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 (1)
  1. $2.7 million spent. DOWNTOWN MONTESSORI ACADEMY IS A SMALL, DIVERSE, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT HAS BEEN SERVING FAMILIES SINCE 1976. AS A CITY OF MILWAUKEE CHARTER SCHOOL, STUDENTS WHO REACH AGE 4 BY SEPTEMBER 1 CAN ATTEND OUR SCHOOL WITH TUITION PROVIDED BY PUBLIC FUNDS. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A MONTESSORI EDUCATION TO A DIVERSE GROUP OF K3-8TH GRADE STUDENTS. WE ARE A TITLE I SCHOOL OF RECOGNITION, AND WE HAVE GROWN TO SERVE NEARLY 300 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, PROVIDING AN INTIMATE SMALL-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, UPGRADED FACILITIES, AND AN AWARD-WINNING OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AND PLAY SPACE. WE CONTINUALLY ENGAGE WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE A RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR 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

  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 2025.

    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 April 1998.

    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.