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The Co-Op School

EIN 46-1402442 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CO-OP SCHOOL IS TO INSPIRE PASSION AND TEACH CHILDREN TO BECOME PROTAGONISTS IN THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY BY FOSTERING THEIR INNATE SENSE OF CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY. THE CO-OP SCHOOL FACILITATES JOYFUL LEARNING THROUGH A UNIQUE AND RIGOROUS CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH THAT LISTENS TO AND HONORS THE INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS AND STRENGTHS OF EACH CHILD. THE CO-OP SCHOOL DOES NOT JUST BELONG TO THE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS, BUT EXTENDS TO THE FAMILY COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. IT BELONGS TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN IT, AND IS A MORE RESILIENT AND CREATIVE PLACE BECAUSE OF IT.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
92
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$253,159, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 15% 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

    2 of 20

    It owes 100% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 17 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

    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 August 31, 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 (3)
  1. $2.8 million spent. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  2. $2.8 million spent. Preschool and Lower School Programs:The basis for our curriculum:- Children constantly learn as they play.- Children learn to be socially interactive through dramatic play.- Feeling, touching and creating through sensory activities enhance cognitive skills.- Painting, pasting and participation in art activities allows children to express themselves creatively.- Cutting, assembling and threading objects encourage the development of fine motor skills.- Physical activity and movement, such as balancing, crawling, dancing and jumping, help to develop gross motor skills.- Reading stories every day promotes literacy while exposing children to different cultures and experiences.- Positive interaction and communication are encouraged among all the children as well as between adults and children.- To encourage teachers to ask open-ended questions and interact with children on their eye level.
  3. $172,240 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS:- PLAYGROUP - CHILDREN AGES 6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS OLD ATTEND WITH A PARENT OR CAREGIVER TO PLAY AND INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS. THIS IS A TIME FOR FREE PLAY AND AGE-APPROPRIATE TOYS. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ART MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED.- CAMP - SIX WEEKS SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 2 TO 9. WE OFFER AN EXCITING SUMMER OF MUSIC, MOVEMENT, SPORTS, FINE AND CRAFT ARTS THAT INSPIRE KIDS TO EXPLORE THEIR PASSIONS AND TRY NEW THINGS.- SPACE RENTAL - THE CO-OP SCHOOL'S LARGE RECREATION ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR IS AVAILABLE TO RENT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 August 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 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.