Community School of West Seattle
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 79 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of CSWS is to create a space in which our community of children, teachers and families can be an educational team. Collaboratively, we will work to inspire and support curiosity, confidence, empathy, resiliency, and the social emotional well-being of every child. Our curriculum is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through play, exploration and (Continued on Schedule O, Statement 2)
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- -5.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 25
- Highest pay
- $55,100, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 70% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 79 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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)
- $1.2 million spent. The Community School of West Seattle (CSWS) is a creative, exploratory and play-based preschool that each year serves 85 children between 3-5 years old, and their families, as well as a monthly "Community Play Date" for children of all ages and their caregivers. At CSWS we believe play is the vital work of childhood and that young children learn by doing. Through authentic, emergent, project and play-based learning, the school strives to develop each student socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically, so that every child will gain a sense of self and life-long confidence. The school's multi-age and anti-bias approach allows children to learn from and support each other. We are inspired by Reggio philosophy and the Project Approach as foundations for our work with children. We provide educational offerings to families as a way to strengthen our community and support the school as a whole, volunteer opportunities and events. CSWS is committed to anti-bias, social justice, and racial equity, including our work in the community, our families and children. Financially, we are committed to running a lean organization so that we can keep tuition costs reasonably low for families while still being fiscally responsible to our operation costs and providing a fair and livable wage for our staff. To ensure access for as many families as possible, CSWS accepts all state and city subsidies as week as partner with Seattle Preschool Program to provide an entire low-cost preschool classroom.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.