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Northwest Passage High School

EIN 41-1941025 · Coon Rapids, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

REKINDLING OUR HOPE, EXPLORING OUR WORLD, AND SEEKING OUR PATH, WHILE BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
35
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$113,004, school director

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: 33 out of 100. Higher than 8% 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

    0 of 20

    It owes 112% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    5 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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. $2.4 million spent. NORTHWEST PASSAGE HIGH SCHOOL IS A PROJECT-BASED LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL SERVING STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12. THE SCHOOL UTILIZES PROGRESSIVE LEARNING MODELS FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR CRITICAL THINKING AND DECISION MAKING SKILLS. THE CORNER STONE OF OUR SCHOOL IS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF JOHN DEWEY. WE BELIEVE STUDENTS LEARN BEST WHEN THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECTS THEY COMPLETE. HALF THE DAY IS SPENT IN INSTRUCTOR LED THEMATIC COURSES. THE OTHER HALF OF THE DAY STUDENTS MEET IN A STRUCTURED ADVISORY PROGRAM WHERE THEY ARE COACHED TO CREATE MEANING IN THE WORLD THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT DESIGNED PROJECTS. ALL PROJECTS MUST MEET STATE STANDARDS FOR GRADUATION. UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR PROJECTS, STUDENTS PRESENT AT A COMMUNITY EXPOSITION OF THEIR FINAL PROJECT BEFORE GRADUATION IS A SENIOR TRANSITION PROJECT AND DIGITAL PORTFOLIO.

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 November 6, 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 2000.

    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 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.