Circle of Seasons Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CIRCLE OF SEASONS FOUNDATION IS TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY-WIDE PARTICIPATION AND PHILANTHROPY TO CIRCLE OF SEASONS CHARTER SCHOOL, THE ONLY PUBLIC SCHOOL ON THE EAST COAST THAT IS GUIDED BY THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC WALDORF EDUCATION.
- Income
- $33,167
- Spending
- $34,143
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 22.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 8
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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)
- $32,666 spent. GARDENING PROGRAM: CIRCLE OF SEASONS' GARDENING PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS NUMEROUS ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING MATH, BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, NUTRITION, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND VISUAL ART. THE BENEFITS TO STUDENTS BEYOND TRADITIONAL ACADEMICS ARE ALSO NUMEROUS. CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT:-ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, CONNECTION TO AND RESPECT FOR NATURE-NUTRITION, THE FOOD CHAIN, HEALTHFUL FOOD CHOICES AND LIFESTYLE HABITS-THE CONNECTION BETWEEN A COMMUNITY AND ITS HISTORY-FARMING AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES-RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF THE LAND AND THEIR SCHOOL PROPERTY-COLLABORATION, PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE-SPATIAL AWARENESS, MAP SKILLS AND VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUESINSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: CIRCLE OF SEASONS' INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH THE GIFT OF LEARNING HOW TO CREATE MUSIC. MUSIC IS A SUBJECT AND AN ART THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN OVER TIME TO ENHANCE LEARNING IN MANY TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS, MATHEMATICS IN PARTICULAR. COS TEACHERS VIEW MUSIC AS TEACHING CHILDREN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE, ONE THAT CONNECTS THEM TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. BUT THE SCHOOL'S APPROACH TO THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM NOT JUST ACADEMIC; IT IS THERAPEUTIC AS WELL. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, IN 2013-2014, THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGES 3 TO 21 RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES WAS 6.5 MILLION, OR ABOUT 13% OF ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. AT COS THE STATISTIC IS HIGHER: 20% (ONE-FIFTH) OF OUR STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR SOME TYPE OF THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION. LEARNING TO PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT IS BENEFICIAL TO ALL STUDENTS, BUT FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IT OFFERS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY DEVELOPS COGNITIVE ABILITIES, PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND SOCIAL SKILLS.MANUAL ARTS: THE COS MANUAL ARTS PROGRAM IN WOODWORKING OFFERS FIFTH GRADERS WHAT NO OTHER PROGRAM CAN: THE ABILITY TO "THINK WITH THEIR HANDS;" A MASTERY OF TOOLS OFTEN REGARDED AS UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN; AND THE POWER TO USE THEIR HANDS AND TOOLS TO DESIGN, PLAN AND CREATE SOMETHING PURPOSEFUL ENTIRELY ON THEIR OWN.WOODWORKING CLASSES HAVE BEEN LARGELY ELIMINATED FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS SINCE THE 1990S AS ADMINISTRATORS MADE WAY FOR A TECHNOLOGY-BASED AGE. BUT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PROGRAMS LIKE WOODWORKING ALLOW CHILDREN TO BE DRIVERS IN THEIR OWN LEARNING, AS OPPOSED TO PASSENGERS. WITHOUT PROGRAMS IN THE MANUAL ARTS, CHILDREN MAY NEVER LEARN HOW TO FIX THINGS, AND MAY END UP LACKING EVEN THE MOST BASIC MANUAL COMPETENCE. MORE CONCERNING, ELIMINATING PROGRAMS LIKE WOODWORKING HAS ALIENATED CHILDREN WHOSE INTELLIGENCE AND ABILITIES DO NOT ALIGN WELL WITH TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM LEARNING.STEAM: CIRCLE OF SEASONS HAS A UNIQUE APPROACH TO INTEGRATING THE STEAM SUBJECTS. OUR STUDENTS ENGAGE IN PHENOMENOLOGICAL SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS THAT INCORPORATE INTENTIONAL USES OF OBSERVATION, HANDS-ON TECHNOLOGY, PRACTICAL PHYSICS, REAL-LIFE MATHEMATICS, AND BOTH VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN OUR TWO-HOUR DAILY INTERDISCIPLINARY MAIN LESSON EXPERIENCES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 July 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 April 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.
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