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Exploration Elementary Charter School for Science and Technology

EIN 81-0929865 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF EXPLORATION ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY IN THE PROCESSES OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND THE USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY TO DEVELOP THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC TOOLS NECESSARY TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL AND IN TODAY'S INTERCONNECTED WORLD.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
98
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$52,499, principal -resigned may 24

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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • 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 (2)
  1. $4.6 million spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF BEGIN OUR RETURN TO SCHOOL AND PREPARATION FOR STUDENTS. THE FOCUS IS EQUIPPING TEACHERS AND STAFF TO EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT TIER 1 BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS TIER 1 AND TIER 2 ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR AS A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO ENSURING WE MEET NEW STATE PROFICIENCY TARGETS. THE SCHOOL SPENDS MORE THAN 60 HOURS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO MAKE SURE TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IN ADDITION, WE STRENGTHEN OUR STUDENTS' ACADEMICS BY THE USE OF READING SPECIALISTS AND INTERVENTIONISTS TO PROVIDE TARGETED SUPPORT SO STUDENTS CAN IMPROVE ACADEMICALLY AND MAINTAIN THEIR PROGRESS.
  2. $732,816 spent. BASED ON THE DATA FROM OUR I-READY ASSESSMENTS GIVEN SCHOOL WIDE, WE PROVIDED 2.0 TEACHERS IN EACH CLASSROOM TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO ALL STUDETNS IN SMALL GROUP CENTERS. THIS FRAMEWORKS ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO ALL STUDETNS WHO ARE 2 OR MORE GRADE LEVELS BELOW.

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 March 2017.

    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.