The Neighborhood School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL IS TO BE A LEADER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN LARAMIE COUNTY, WY. THE PRESCHOOL IS INTERESTED IN THE WHOLE CHILD AND STRIVES TO PROVIDE EACH CHILD A SAFE AND ENRICHED ENVIRONMENT TO FREELY EXPLORE, DEVELOP, AND LEARN AT HIS OR HER OWN PACE COGNITIVELY, PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- -0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 47
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $60,780, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 123% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
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
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (1)
- $1.2 million spent. THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL PROVIDES FULL- AND PART-TIME HIGH QUALITY CARE AND EDUCATION TO INFANTS AND CHILDREN FROM SIX-WEEKS OLD TO AGE FIVE, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO LIVE AND/OR WORK IN LARAMIE COUNTY, WYOMING. THEY ALSO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL CARE FOR ELEMENTARY-AGED STUDENTS. IT IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PRESCHOOL VIEWS CHILDREN AS STRONG AND CAPABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE THROUGH INTERACTION WITH MATERIALS AND OTHERS. IT PROVIDES A SAFE AND ENRICHED ENVIRONMENT TO ITS CHILDREN, ALLOWING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE FREE TO EXPLORE, DEVELOP, AND LEARN AT THEIR OWN PACE. TO THAT END, THE PRESCHOOL PROVIDES AN EMERGENT CURRICULUM, WHICH IS SIMPLY A CURRICULUM THAT "EMERGES" FROM A PARTICULAR GROUP OF TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN BASED ON THEIR QUESTIONS AND GROWING UNDERSTANDING. EMERGENT CURRICULUM IS FLEXIBLE, RESPONSIVE, AND COLLABORATIVE. IT MAKES CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND TEACHER'S THINKING VISIBLE. THE PRESCHOOL VALUES COLLABORATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY TO OFFER AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS CHILDREN TO ENRICH AND EXPAND THEIR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. THE PRESCHOOL VALUES REFLECTIVE PRACTICES IN SUPPORTING AND EDUCATING ITS STAFF.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 2016.
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.