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Alternative Paths Training School Inc

EIN 54-2055003 · Dumfries, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

APTS IS A YEAR ROUND SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY SCHOOL OFFERING A HIGHLY STRUCTURED CLASSROOM SETTING FOR STUDENTS WHOSE DISABILITIES INCLUDE AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, NOT LIMITED TO EMOTIONAL AND OR LEARNING DISABILITIES. THE PROGRAM SPECIALIZES IN AN INTENSIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO STUDENTS WHO ENGAGE IN SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIORS (SIBS) AS WELL AS AGGRESSIVE BHAVIORS.

Income
$22.7 million
Spending
$22.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
362
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$309,527, president

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 39% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 44 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (3)
  1. $17.3 million spent. APTS OPERATES 3 VIRGINIA CAMPUSES (ALEXANDRIA, MANASSAS AND STAFFORD) AND UTILIZES THE PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) TO PROMOTE BEHAVIORAL STABILITY AND FACILITATE ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION FOR EACH STUDENT. APTS OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AT EACH CAMPUS: SCHOOL-WIDE BEHAVIOR PLAN, BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PLAN (BIPS), OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY; PHYSICAL THERAPY, SPEECH/LANGUAGE THERAPY, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING, GROUP COUNSELLING/SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS, CLASSROOMS FOR ADVANCED ACADEMIC STUDENTS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ON SITE READING SPECIALIST (LITERACY SPECIALIST), NURSING/MEDICAL STAFF, NO SECLUSION, NO TIME OUT ROOMS, NO IN-SCHOOL OR OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS.
  2. $498,063 spent. APTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFERS BEHAVIORAL SERVICES IN THE FORM OF CRISIS STABILIZATION, FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT, BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT, DATA ANALYSIS, AND OUTCOME MEASUREMENT TO FAMILY MEMBERS/CAREGIVERS AND STAFF. OUR CONSULTANTS WORK WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS TO CREATE PERSON-CENTERED PROGRAMMING. WE ALSO CONDUCT INTERACTIVE TRAINING WORKSHOPS THAT FOCUS ON THE USE OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR PROFESSIONALS WITH THE CONTEXT OF THEIR OWN SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS. OUR SERVICES ARE AIMED AT EMPOWERING THE FAMILY AND/OR ORGANIZATION TO BECOME THEIR OWN BEST RESOURCE IN EFFECTING LONG-LASTING BEHAVIORAL GROWTH FOR THOSE IN THEIR CARE. APTS PARTNERS WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING THIS EXPERTISE TO UNDERSERVED FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND WORLD VIA DONATING MONEY AND BCBA SERVICES.
  3. $291,694 spent. APTS PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO CERTAIN ENROLLED STUDENTS ON A LIMITED BASIS.

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 October 13, 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 2002.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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