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Fayetteville Academy

EIN 56-0944004 · Fayetteville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 72 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY IS AN INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (PREK- 12) THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN ACADEMICS, FINE ARTS, AND ATHLETICS. THE ACADEMY EMPHASIZES SCHOLARSHIP, HONOR, LEADERSHIP, AND CITIZENSHIP IN A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE ACADEMY IS PROUD TO BE RANKED THE NUMBER ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE FAYETTEVILLE AREA AND AMONG THE TOP 20 BEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA BY NICHE.COM.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
169

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 72 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $5.5 million spent. FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY IS AN INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (PREK- 12) THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN ACADEMICS, FINE ARTS, AND ATHLETICS. THE ACADEMY EMPHASIZES SCHOLARSHIP, HONOR, LEADERSHIP, AND CITIZENSHIP IN A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. STUDENTS RESIDE IN FAYETTEVILLE, NC, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
  2. FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY, AN INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES IN ACADEMICS, FINE ARTS, AND ATHLETICS. THE ACADEMY IS PROUD TO BE RANKED THE NUMBER ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE FAYETTEVILLE AREA AND AMONG THE TOP 20 BEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA BY NICHE.COM. FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY'S SMALL CLASS SIZES, SAFE AND CARING ATMOSPHERE AND NUMEROUS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD AT THE ACADEMY RECEIVES A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THE SCHOOL OFFERS STATE-OF-THE-ART STEAM SMARTLABS, BAND, CHORUS, THEATRE, ON-SITE SAT AND ACT TESTING, A COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM, 13AP AND 15 HONOR COURSES, OVER 25 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, A CHROMEBOOK AND IPAD PROGRAM, A FULL-TIME NURSE ON SITE, AND THE SUMMER ODYSSEY CAMP PROGRAM. THE AVERAGE SAT AND ACT SCORES OF ACADEMY STUDENTS EXCEED NATIONAL AVERAGES. STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIONS SUCH AS BATTLE OF THE BOOKS, LEGO ROBOTICS TEAM, MOCK TRIAL, SCIENCE OLYMPIAD, AND SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE. IN ADDITION, THE ACADEMY OFFERS 24 ATHLETIC TEAMS INCLUDING BASKETBALL, SOCCER, TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, GOLF , CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK, BASEBALL, LACROSSE, SWIMMING, AND CHEERLEADING. ATHLETIC TEAMS HAVE WON A TOTAL OF 23 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF STUDENTS AT FA RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID, AND 1/3 ARE FROM MILITARY FAMILIES. THE ACADEMY BOASTS A DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION WITH OVER 1/3 OF STUDENTS BEING FROM MINORITY BACKGROUNDS. 72% OF THE FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION HOLD ADVANCED DEGREES.
  3. FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY, AN INDEPENDENT, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES IN ACADEMICS, FINE ARTS, AND ATHLETICS. THE ACADEMY IS PROUD TO BE RANKED THE NUMBER ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE FAYETTEVILLE AREA AND AMONG THE TOP 20 BEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA BY NICHE.COM. FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY'S SMALL CLASS SIZES, SAFE AND CARING ATMOSPHERE AND NUMEROUS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD AT THE ACADEMY RECEIVES A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THE SCHOOL OFFERS STATE-OF-THE-ART STEAM SMARTLABS, BAND, CHORUS, THEATRE, ON-SITE SAT AND ACT TESTING, A COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM, 13AP AND 15 HONOR COURSES, OVER 25 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, A CHROMEBOOK AND IPAD PROGRAM, A FULL-TIME NURSE ON SITE, AND THE SUMMER ODYSSEY CAMP PROGRAM. THE AVERAGE SAT AND ACT SCORES OF ACADEMY STUDENTS EXCEED NATIONAL AVERAGES. STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIONS SUCH AS BATTLE OF THE BOOKS, LEGO ROBOTICS TEAM, MOCK TRIAL, SCIENCE OLYMPIAD, AND SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE. IN ADDITION, THE ACADEMY OFFERS 24 ATHLETIC TEAMS INCLUDING BASKETBALL, SOCCER, TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, GOLF , CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK, BASEBALL, LACROSSE, SWIMMING, AND CHEERLEADING. ATHLETIC TEAMS HAVE WON A TOTAL OF 23 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF STUDENTS AT FA RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID, AND 1/3 ARE FROM MILITARY FAMILIES. THE ACADEMY BOASTS A DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION WITH OVER 1/3 OF STUDENTS BEING FROM MINORITY BACKGROUNDS. 72% OF THE FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION HOLD ADVANCED DEGREES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1970.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.