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South Coast Charter School Association

EIN 61-2067847 · Irvine, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IRVINE CHINESE IMMERSION ACADEMY IS COMMITTED TO DELIVERING AN EXCEPTIONAL ENGLISH AND MANDARIN DUAL IMMERSION PROGRAM WITHIN A DYNAMIC EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. OUR MISSION IS TO CHALLENGE STUDENTS TO UNLOCK THEIR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC POTENTIAL, EMPOWERING THEM TO ATTAIN REMARKABLE LEVELS OF BI-LITERACY PROFICIENCY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AND MULTICULTURAL COMPETENCE. BY NURTURING THESE SKILLS, WE WILL PREPARE OUR STUDENTS TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE GLOBAL CITIZENS IN AN INTERCONNECTED SOCIETY. ICIA IS MORE THAN JUST A STATEMENT; IT'S A COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A THRIVING EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE HEART OF IRVINE, CALIFORNIA. WE UNDERSTAND THAT CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD IS A SIGNIFICANT DECISION, AND WE'RE HERE TO MAKE THAT CHOICE AN EASY AND EXCITING ONE. OUR VISION AT IRVINE CHINESE IMMERSION ACADEMY IS TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
97
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$238,438, executive di

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 104% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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 (1)
  1. $5.3 million spent. CRLA CAPISTRANO SERVES CLOSE TO 300 STUDENTS IN GRADES TK-6 FROM A SINGLE, CONVENIENT CAMPUS IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA. THE MISSION OF CRLA IS TO TRAIN THE MINDS AND IMPROVE THE HEARTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH A CONTENT- RICH CLASSICAL EDUCATION IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES WITH INSTRUCTION IN THE PRINCIPLES OF MORAL CHARACTER AND CIVIC VIRTUE. CRLA CAPISTRANO IS A HILLSDALE COLLEGE CURRICULUM SCHOOL.

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 November 6, 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 October 2023.

    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 November 4, 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.