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Lee Montessori Public Charter School

EIN 45-4726453 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CREATE A MORE JUST, LIBERATED WORLD. LEE MONTESSORI IS A DIVERSE, INTERCONNECTED COMMUNITY THAT REDEFINES HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION BY PAIRING MONTESSORI WITH ANTI-BIAS/ANTI-RACIST PRACTICES. LEE MONTESSORI CREATES A JOYFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FLOURISH, AND CAN SHOW UP AS THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES.

Income
$16.1 million
Spending
$15.4 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
138
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$179,919, executive 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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 93% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $14.3 million spent. THE SCHOOL ACHIEVES ITS MISSION BY INSPIRING ACADEMIC SUCCESS BY PROVIDING MONTESSORI CURRICULUM IN A HOLISTIC AND DEVELOPMENTALLY RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENT; NURTURING STUDENT CREATIVITY, CURIOSITY AND EFFICACY BY PROMOTING SELF-DIRECTED EDUCATION; OFFERING INDIVIDUAL PACED ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION AND ACTIVITIES; ENGAGING STUDENTS IN PURPOSEFUL AND COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES; FOSTERING STUDENT'S USE OF INNER DISCIPLINE, CONCENTRATION AND TASK COMPLETION TO ENCOURAGE LIFELONG CRITICAL THINKING AND DISCOVERY; AND PRESERVING AND CULTIVATING THE INNATE CAPACITY OF STUDENTS SO THEY CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS CONTRIBUTING GLOBAL CITIZENS.

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 October 13, 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 January 2014.

    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 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.