West Side Montessori
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
We inspire children to cultivate a love of learning in a racially and socio-economically inclusive community through Montessori principles
- Income
- $801,424
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -9.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $81,368, 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: 25 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 59% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 81 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $797,920 spent. During FY25, MCSRI continued to deliver its core educational mission while undertaking significant strategic initiatives to ensure the organization's long-term sustainability and program quality.At the close of the fiscal year, the school completed a consolidation of all programs into its primary facility at 73 Stanwood Street, discontinuing use of its secondary building at 78 Stanwood Street. This operational consolidation was designed to reduce overhead costs, streamline program delivery, and concentrate resources toward the school's core educational environments.In planning for the 2025-2026 school year, the school restructured its program model to comprise one Primary classroom and two Toddler classrooms, with capacity to serve up to 38 students. This restructuring reflects a deliberate focus on sustainable operations while maintaining fidelity to the Montessori educational model.In support of this restructuring, the school recognized and invested in internal talent: One teacher was promoted to Assistant Head of School, and another was promoted to Lead Teacher, reflecting the school's commitment to developing its staff and ensuring program continuity during a period of organizational change.Throughout FY25, MCSRI's teaching staff continued to provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate Montessori education to enrolled families, remaining the cornerstone of program delivery.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.