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Mill Springs Academy Inc

EIN 58-1432397 · Alpharetta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 141 cents.

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

What it says it does

MILL SPRINGS ACADEMY IS A VALUE-BASED EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO THE ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT REALIZED THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SETTINGS.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
128
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$147,488, ex-head of school

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: 24 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 141 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (3)
  1. $5.7 million spent. INSTRUCTION & STUDENT SUPPORT: MILL SPRINGS ACADEMY (MSA) IS A FULLY ACCREDITED, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SERVING 165 STUDENTS IN GRADES K12 WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES, ADHD, AND ASD PROFILES. MSA HOLDS DUAL ACCREDITATION WITH COGNIA AND THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (SAIS).INSTRUCTION IS GUIDED BY INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PLANS DEVELOPED BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM, INCLUDING EDUCATORS, LEARNING SPECIALISTS, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS, COUNSELORS, AND ADMINISTRATORS. PROGRAMMING EMPHASIZES FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC MASTERY, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, LITERACY DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL COMMUNICATION, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND SELF-ADVOCACY, ENSURING STUDENTS GAIN THE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND LIFE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME REAL-WORLD READY.MSA PROVIDES A STRUCTURED, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES ACCOUNTABILITY, RESILIENCE, AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH DAILY ADVISORY PROGRAMMING, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, AND STRONG FAMILY COLLABORATION.
  2. $558,666 spent. ATHLETIC PROGRAMS: MILL SPRINGS ACADEMY'S ATHLETIC PROGRAM PROMOTES PHYSICAL WELLNESS, TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, AND PERSEVERANCE. MORE THAN HALF THE STUDENT BODY PARTICIPATES ANNUALLY ACROSS 15 INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS FOR GRADES 512, INCLUDING VOLLEYBALL, SOCCER, BASKETBALL, WRESTLING, SWIMMING, ESPORTS, BOWLING, FLAG FOOTBALL, AND TRACK AND FIELD.MSA COMPETES IN THE ATLANTA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE AND GEORGIA INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, EARNING MULTIPLE CONFERENCE AND STATE-LEVEL HONORS. ATHLETICS SERVE AS A VITAL EXTENSION OF THE SCHOOL'S MISSION, SUPPORTING STUDENT CONFIDENCE, ENGAGEMENT, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $247,175 spent. FINE & PERFORMING ARTS: THE FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM AT MILL SPRINGS ACADEMY FOSTERS CREATIVITY, SELF-EXPRESSION, COLLABORATION, AND CONFIDENCE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN VISUAL ARTS, MUSIC, DRAMA, AND DIGITAL MEDIA, INTEGRATING CREATIVE EXPLORATION WITH ACADEMIC LEARNING AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DEVELOPMENT.ARTS INSTRUCTION SUPPORTS COMMUNICATION SKILLS, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING, OFFERING STUDENTS MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCOVER STRENGTHS, BUILD SELF-ESTEEM, AND ENGAGE FULLY IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITIONS, AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES PROVIDE AUTHENTIC PLATFORMS FOR STUDENTS TO SHOWCASE GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT.

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 June 1981.

    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.

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.