Carolyn Barron Montessori School Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 58 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FROM AGE EIGHTEEN MONTHS TO FOURTEEN YEARS USING THE MONTESSORI METHOD, AS DEFINED BY THE TEACHINGS OF DR. MARIA MONTESSORI AND AS PRACTICED BY TEACHERS TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN THE MONTESSORI METHOD. THE SCHOOL SEEKS TO EMPOWER EACH CHILD TO REACH HIS OR HER FULLEST POTENTIAL IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE AND LEARNING, CAPITALIZING ON THE CHILD'S NATURAL CURIOUSITY FOR LEARNING WHILE MEETING HIS SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS.
- Income
- $946,476
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 10
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: 29 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 59% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 58 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 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 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 (1)
- $834,183 spent. TO EDUCATE STUDENTS UTILIZING THE MONTESSORI METHOD, AS DEFINED BY THE TEACHINGS OF DR. MARIA MONTESSORI AND AS PRACTICED BY TEACHERS TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN THE MONTESSORI METHOD.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.