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Fernleaf Community Charter School

EIN 47-1184515 · Fletcher, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER A RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT EMBODIES THE ESSENCE OF COMMUNITY, UNDERSTANDING, AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT. GROUNDED IN HUMBLE RESPECT FOR OUR SURROUNDINGS, THE INDIVIDUAL, AND THE WORLD AS A WHOLE, WE SEEK TO ENGAGE THE UNIQUE PASSIONS AND APTITUDES OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY SO THAT IN ADDITION TO ACHIEVING ACADEMIC FLUENCY, STUDENTS BECOME THOUGHTFUL, COMPASSIONATE, AND ENGAGED.

Income
$11.7 million
Spending
$9.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-29 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 70%
Employees
142
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$112,361, school direc

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 82% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 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. $8.0 million spent. FERNLEAF'S PROGRAMS BALANCE TRADITIONAL ACADEMICS WITH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, ARTS, SERVICE LEARNING/STEWARDSHIP, ENVIRONMENTAL/OUTDOOR EDUCATION, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE SUCCESS OF FERNLEAF'S ENGAGING, STUDENT-CENTERED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO OUR COMMITMENT TO A POSITIVE AND HEALTHY SCHOOL CULTURE IS EVIDENCED BY OUR MINIMAL STAFF AND STUDENT TURNOVER AND EXTENSIVE WAIT-LISTS. FERNLEAF OFFERS A VARIETY OF DAILY ENRICHMENT CLASSES AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THE EXPLORATION OF THEIR UNIQUE PASSIONS AND APTITUDES. DAILY ENRICHMENT CLASSES INCLUDE SPANISH, WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, PHYSICAL FITNESS, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, THEATER, GENERAL MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS, OUTDOOR/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. AFTER SCHOOL OFFERINGS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF SPORTS, PHYSICAL FITNESS, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, STEM, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, AND THEATER CLASSES. OFF-CAMPUS, FIELDWORK TRIPS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD COMMUNITY WHILE ALSO GIVING STUDENTS ACCESS TO RICH AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES THAT SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATION AND ENRICH THEIR LIVES. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A MINIMUM OF 8 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCES PER YEAR WHICH INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM, AN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE, A PROFESSIONAL ARTS PERFORMANCE, A SERVICE PROJECT, A STUDENT-DESIGNED TRIP, AND AN OVERNIGHT. OPTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRIPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. FERNLEAF'S PROGRAMS BALANCE TRADITIONAL ACADEMICS WITH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, ARTS, SERVICE LEARNING/STEWARDSHIP, ENVIRONMENTAL/OUTDOOR EDUCATION, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE SUCCESS OF FERNLEAF'S ENGAGING, STUDENT-CENTERED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO OUR COMMITMENT TO A POSITIVE AND HEALTHY SCHOOL CULTURE IS EVIDENCED BY OUR MINIMAL STAFF AND STUDENT TURNOVER AND EXTENSIVE WAIT-LISTS. FERNLEAF OFFERS A VARIETY OF DAILY ENRICHMENT CLASSES AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THE EXPLORATION OF THEIR UNIQUE PASSIONS AND APTITUDES. DAILY ENRICHMENT CLASSES INCLUDE SPANISH, WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, PHYSICAL FITNESS, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, THEATER, GENERAL MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS, OUTDOOR/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. AFTER SCHOOL OFFERINGS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF SPORTS, PHYSICAL FITNESS, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, STEM, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, AND THEATER CLASSES. OFF-CAMPUS, FIELDWORK TRIPS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD COMMUNITY WHILE ALSO GIVING STUDENTS ACCESS TO RICH AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES THAT SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATION AND ENRICH THEIR LIVES. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A MINIMUM OF 8 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCES PER YEAR WHICH INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM, AN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE, A PROFESSIONAL ARTS PERFORMANCE, A SERVICE PROJECT, A STUDENT-DESIGNED TRIP, AND AN OVERNIGHT. OPTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRIPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

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 May 2015.

    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.