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Circles of Success Learning Academy

EIN 65-1188252 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STATE APPROVED CHARTER SCHOOL

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
59
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$144,486, principal

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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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. $2.4 million spent. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND TSI REMOVAL: OUR SCHOOL ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT ACADEMIC GROWTH AS DEMONSTRATED BY IMPROVED TCAP TEST SCORES. THIS PROGRESS RESULTED IN OUR REMOVAL FROM THE TARGETED SUPPORT AND IMPROVEMENT (TSI) DESIGNATION. THE ACCOMPLISHMENT REFLECTS OUR STAFF'S COMMITTMENT TO DATA-DRIVEN, INSTRUCTION, TARGETED INTERVENTIONS, AND CONTINUOUS STUDENT SUPPORT.
  2. $396,460 spent. SUCCESSFUL RELOCATIO TO TEMPORARY FACILITIES: WE PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED A SEAMLESS TRANSITION OF OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL PROGRAM TO TEMPORARY FACILITIES FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR. THIS MOVE WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO INSTRUCTION AND STUDENT SERVICES, ENSURING CONTINUITY OF LEARNING AND MAINTAINING A SAFE, SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF.
  3. $202,994 spent. ENHANCED STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES: THIS YEAR, WE EXPANDED ACCESS TO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES BY INCREASING AVAILABILITY OF ACADEMIC TUTORING, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, AND INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PLANS. THESE EFFORTS RESULTED IN IMPROVED STUDENT ATTENDANCE, HIGHER ENGAGEMENT, AND BETTER OVERALL STUDENT-WELLBEING, SUPPORTING OUR ACADEMIC GOALS AND POSITIVE SCHOOL CULTURE.

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 2003.

    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.