Iota Community Schools
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
IOTA Community Schools' mission is to transform public education so all students graduate prepared for college, leadership, and life.
- Income
- $38.5 million
- Spending
- $35.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 5.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 86%
- Employees
- 334
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $240,449, 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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $29.8 million spent. IOTA Community Schools is a network of public charter schools serving students and families across the Mid-South. The organization operates Title I middle and high schools focused on preparing historically underserved students for college, career, and long-term economic success through rigorous academics, character development, and personalized student support.During the 2024 - 2025 academic year, IOTA continued its commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities in communities with significant economic and educational barriers.(Continued on Schedule O)IOTA's academic model emphasizes retention, rigor, and results through small-school environments, data-driven instruction, individualized intervention strategies, and strong student relationships. In addition to academic programming, students received social-emotional support services, college and career readiness programming, extracurricular opportunities, and behavioral health resources designed to support the "whole child."Program accomplishments during the year included:-Expansion and enhancement of academic intervention and student support services focused on improving student achievement and long-term outcomes;-Ongoing implementation of student-centered instructional practices and staff development initiatives designed to strengthen academic rigor and classroom effectiveness;-Provision of safe, structured, and supportive learning environments for students and families in historically underserved communities;-Continued investment in operational sustainability, school quality, and long-term organizational effectiveness to support future student success.The organization incurred approximately $29.8 million in program service expenses in support of these educational programs and services during the fiscal year. During the fiscal year, IOTA Community Schools executed a strategic school closure/consolidation initiative designed to optimize long-term academic quality, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability across the network.
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 May 2015.
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.