Academy Prep Center of Lakeland Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER STUDENTS QUALIFYING FOR NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS TO BECOME FUTURE COMMUNITY LEADERS THROUGH A RIGOROUS MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM COUPLED WITH ONGOING GRADUATE SUPPORT.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 350
- Highest pay
- $261,336, interim head of school
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 255 of 5 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
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 May 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 (3)
- $2.7 million spent. ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF LAKELAND, ESTABLISHED IN JUNE 2019, IS THE THIRD CAMPUS ADDED TO THE ACADEMY PREP ORGANIZATION. IT JOINS ITS SISTER CAMPUSES IN PROVIDING A RIGOROUS, TUITION-FREE, PRIVATE, NONPROFIT MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA. THE CAMPUS IS COMMITTED TO PREPARING SCHOLARS FOR SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND BEYOND THROUGH HIGH ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND LONG-TERM STUDENT SUPPORT. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THIS ALSO INCLUDES AN EXEMPLARY COLLEGE PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION WITH EXTENDED DAYS, WEEKS, AND SCHOOL YEARS COUPLED WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES. THROUGH OUR GRADUATE SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM, ACADEMY PREP CONTINUES TO SUPPORT OUR GRADUATES IN HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND INTO THEIR CAREERS, ENSURING SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS INTO EACH PHASE OF THEIR LIVES. ACADEMY PREP STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL UP TO 11 HOURS A DAY, 6 DAYS A WEEK, 11 MONTHS A YEAR, WITH CLASSES OF APPROXIMATELY 20 STUDENTS OR LESS. ACADEMY PREP OFFERS A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF DEMANDING ACADEMICS AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO RIGOROUS EDUCATION IN ENGLISH, MATH, HISTORY, AND SCIENCE, ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CHESS, ART, MUSIC, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES WEEKLY AS IMPORTANT PARTS OF THEIR ACADEMIC SCHEDULE. SEVENTH AND EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS ARE ADDITIONALLY REQUIRED TO TAKE SPANISH CLASSES AS PART OF THEIR GRADED ACADEMIC COURSEWORK, GIVING THEM TWO YEARS OF LANGUAGE FAMILIARITY AS THEY HEAD INTO HIGH SCHOOL. OVER 40 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED TO ACADEMY PREP STUDENTS EVERY AFTERNOON AS PART OF THEIR SCHOOL DAY, INCLUDING GOLF, CHESS, MUSIC, CHOIR, DANCE, GARDENING, DRAMA, YOGA, ROBOTICS, DEBATE, ARCHERY, AND COOKING. ADDITIONALLY, STUDENTS SPEND SATURDAYS ON FIELD TRIPS THAT INCLUDED KAYAKING AND NATURE EXPLORATION, VISITS TO ART, SCIENCE, AND HISTORY MUSEUMS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS IN THE CLASSROOM AND FACILITATE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES THAT CONNECT ACADEMY PREP STUDENTS TO THE DYNAMIC AND DIVERSE LAKELAND COMMUNITY. FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IS ALSO AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT - 40 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE PER FAMILY IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY.THE ACADEMY PREP MODEL ACHIEVES OUTSTANDING RESULTS. ACADEMY PREP STUDENTS SHOW SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN ACADEMIC ABILITY THROUGH THEIR ACADEMY PREP YEARS. MOST ENTER AT OR LESS THAN GRADE LEVEL IN MATH AND READING. BY GRADUATION, 8TH GRADERS ARE SCORING AHEAD OF GRADE LEVEL IN MATH AND READING ON NATIONAL ASSESSMENT TESTS. 2026 WILL BE OUR FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS. DUE TO OUR UNIQUE MODEL OF OFFERING FREE TUITION TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, WE DEPEND ALMOST ENTIRELY ON OUR DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO COVER OPERATING EXPENSES. OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS BRING IN APPROXIMATELY $1,200,000 IN REVENUE AND OFFER EXPOSURE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION TO 1,000+ DONORS IS CRITICAL DUE TO OUR ABSENCE OF A PARENT TUITION BASE. THE ROLE OF THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND FUNDRAISING. AT ACADEMY PREP, DEVELOPMENT ENCOMPASSES ALL EVENT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AS WELL AS THE CULTIVATION OF MAJOR AND CAPITAL GIFTS, REQUIRING FRONT-END INVESTMENTS TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS. WE EXPECT TO REALIZE THESE BENEFITS IN FUTURE YEARS.ACADEMY PREP'S GRADUATES ARE THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THE SCHOOL'S SUCCESS IN TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF YOUNG, ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS. OUR GRADUATES ARE SERVING AS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND WORKING HARD AS THEY STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF OUR ALUMNI FROM THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022 CURRENTLY ATTENDS CHATHAM HALL, AN ALL GIRL'S PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOL LOCATED IN VIRGINIA, ON A GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP. FOLLOWING THE UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF HER FATHER IN HER LAST YEAR WITH US AT ACADEMY PREP, SHE DETERMINED A BOARDING SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WOULD BE THE BEST FIT FOR HER. AS A STUDENT AT CHATHAM, SHE CONTINUED TO THRIVE ACADEMICALLY AND BE INVOLVED IN HER COMMUNITY. EXPECTED TO GRADUATE IN MAY 2026, SHE IS THE FIRST ACADEMY PREP GRADUATE TO BECOME A QUESTBRIDGE FINALIST AND SUCCESSFULLY MATCH WITH A COLLEGE THROUGH THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PROGRAM. NEXT YEAR, SHE WILL BEGIN A FULLY FUNDED FOUR-YEAR JOURNEY AT BARNARD COLLEGE, WHERE SHE PLANS TO MAJOR IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES WITH THE GOAL OF PURSUING A CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY.ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE IS AN ACADEMY PREP GRADUATE FROM OUR INAUGURAL CLASS OF 2022 WHO WENT ON TO ATTEND BARTOW HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE SHE ENROLLED IN THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAM. THROUGHOUT HER TIME IN THE IB PROGRAM, SHE HAS ALSO FOUND TIME TO PURSUE WEIGHTLIFTING AS AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY. SHE HOPES TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE SHE PLANS TO MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY AND LATER PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, AN ASPIRATION SHE DEVELOPED WHILE BEING A STUDENT AT ACADEMY PREP. SHE HOPES TO USE HER PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND TO HELP RESTORE FAMILIES AND SUPPORT THEM IN REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.ANOTHER NOTABLE EXAMPLE FROM THE CLASS OF 2022 IS A GRADUATE WHO WENT ON TO ATTEND WOODBERRY FOREST, A PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOL LOCATED IN VIRGINIA. IN SPITE OF THE RIGOROUS ACADEMIC SCHEDULE, THIS STUDENT FOUND TIME TO BE INVOLVED IN THEATRE, BECAME THE PRINCIPAL FIRST CHAIR VIOLIST IN THE STRING ENSEMBLE, AND WON THE WRITER'S EYE AWARD, A COMPETITION HOSTED BY THE FRANKLIN MUSEUM OF ART AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. HE ALSO EARNED A NATIONAL LATIN EXAM AWARD.ANOTHER ONE OF OUR GRADUATES WHO IS A LIVING EXAMPLE OF OUR MISSION AT ACADEMY PREP IS A MEMBER OF THE CLASS OF 2023. DURING HIS FINAL YEAR WITH US, HE EXPERIENCED THE UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER. HIGHLY DISCIPLINED AND MOTIVATED, HE DETERMINED THAT ATTENDING BOARDING SCHOOL WOULD BE THE BEST ACADEMIC FIT FOR HIM. HE WENT ON TO ATTEND NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL, A BOARDING SCHOOL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, ON A VERY GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP. DURI
- GRADUATE SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ACADEMY PREP STUDENTS AND GRADUATES THROUGH AND INTO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR SERVICE AS THEY BECOME LEADERS AND BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY INTO WHICH SO MANY WERE BORN. CLOSE SUPPORT AND COUNSELING ARE PROVIDED WHILE STUDENTS ARE IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND THEY INCLUDE EMPHASIZING POSITIVE LIFE CHOICES, A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE GOALS WHILE ENSURING STUDENTS MASTER ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT COURSES AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)GRADUATE SUPPORT PRIMARILY FOCUSES ON CURRENT ACADEMY PREP STUDENTS IN SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE. PRIOR TO GRADUATING FROM ACADEMY PREP, STUDENTS GUIDED BY THE GRADUATE SUPPORT STAFF DEVELOP CLEAR EDUCATIONAL CAREER GOALS AND ARE THEN MATCHED WITH A HIGH SCHOOL THAT BEST ALIGNS WITH THEIR ACADEMIC PROFILE AND PERSONAL NEEDS. THESE PLACEMENTS INCLUDE LOCAL PRIVATE PREPARATORY PRIVATE SCHOOLS, PUBLIC MAGNET AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAMS, AND BOARDING SCHOOLS. THE GRADUATE SUPPORT STAFF ENSURES THAT EACH STUDENT APPLIES TO, IS ACCEPTED INTO, AND RECEIVES ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR HIGH SCHOOL. ADDITIONALLY, THE GRADUATE SUPPORT STAFF CONTINUES TO MONITOR STUDENT'S PROGRESS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, AND SERVES AS A SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT SYSTEM AS THEY NAVIGATE THEIR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND ENROLLMENT AND, ENSURING SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS AND LONG TERM OUTCOMES. GRADUATE SUPPORT ALSO PROVIDES THE ACADEMY PREP 8TH GRADE CLASS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND A WEEKLY CLASS, WHICH TEACHES STUDENTS LIFE LESSONS, LIKE INTERVIEWING SKILLS, DINING AND DRESSING ETIQUETTE, TIME MANAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP.GRADUATE SUPPORT SERVES ACADEMY PREP GRADUATES IN HIGH SCHOOL BY CLOSELY MONITORING THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND HELPING TO ADDRESS ANY CHALLENGES IN THEIR ACADEMIC OR PERSONAL LIVES TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND MATRICULATE INTO COLLEGE. GRADUATE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE STAFF VISITS TO ACADEMY PREP GRADUATES OF HIGH SCHOOL AGE EACH YEAR, INCLUDING STUDENTS ENROLLED IN BOARDING SCHOOLS, ALLOWING ACADEMY PREP STAFF TO MONITOR STUDENT PROGRESS, SERVE AS MENTORS, AND SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THEIR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENDEAVORS BY ATTENDING SPORTING EVENTS, HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTIONS, AND AWARD AND GRADUATION CEREMONIES.THE ACADEMY PREP GRADUATE SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFERS OTHER SERVICES TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SUCH AS FINANCIAL LITERACY SEMINARS, FAFSA/FINANCIAL AID SEMINARS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, COLLEGE APPLICATION ASSISTANCE, COLLEGE TOURS, AND RESUME WORKSHOPS. THIS YEAR, THE SUPPORT HAS CONTINUED WITH STAFF HELPING GUIDE THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL AID.THROUGHOUT THE CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT, GRADUATE SUPPORT IS CAPABLE OF LENDING STUDENTS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDS AND BARRIERS ARISE. THE GRADUATE SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS COVER ANCILLARY EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY, TRAVEL, UNIFORMS, TESTING FEES, AND PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE FOR INTERVIEWS, ENSURING THAT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES DO NOT IMPEDE STUDENTS' ACADEMIC AND CAREER SUCCESS.
- DEVELOPMENT-RELATED EXPENSES SEEM DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH ACCORDING TO PERCEIVED FUNDRAISING STANDARDS. DUE TO OUR UNIQUE MODEL OF OFFERING FREE-TUITION TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, WE DEPEND ALMOST ENTIRELY ON OUR DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN ORDER TO COVER OPERATING EXPENSES. THE ROLE OF THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND FUNDRAISING. AT ACADEMY PREP, DEVELOPMENT ENCOMPASSES ALL EVENT-PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND COMMUNICATIONS AS WELL AS CULTIVATION OF MAJOR AND CAPITAL GIFTS, WHICH REQUIRE FRONT-END INVESTMENTS TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS. WE EXPECT TO REALIZE THESE BENEFITS IN FUTURE YEARS. ACADEMY PREP'S GRADUATES ARE ITS BEST EXAMPLES OF THE SCHOOL'S SUCCESS IN TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF YOUNG, ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS. OUR GRADUATES ARE SERVING AS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND WORKING HARD AS THEY STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF OUR STUDENTS FROM THE ACADEMY PREP CLASS OF 2007 ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL AT BERKELEY PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA IN 2015. HE WENT ON TO LAW SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LEVIN COLLEGE OF LAW, AND WORKED AS A SUMMER ASSOCIATE IN 2017 AT A MAJOR LAW FIRM IN TAMPA. HE HAS SINCE PASSED THE BAR AND CURRENTLY PRACTICES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAW AT THAT PRESTIGIOUS LAW FIRM. ANOTHER GRADUATE FROM ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF TAMPA CAME TO THE SCHOOL WHILE IN FOSTER CARE AND LIVING IN A GROUP HOME. SHE GRADUATED FROM ACADEMY PREP IN 2011, WENT ON TO CHATHAM HALL, A PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOL IN CHATHAM VIRGINIA, ON FULL SCHOLARSHIP, AND OBTAINED HER DEGREE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. SHE WAS ACCEPTED INTO A COVETED AND HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WITH MICROSOFT THE SUMMER BEFORE GRADUATION AND WAS OFFERED A SALARIED POSITION AT MICROSOFT, COMPLETE WITH SIGNING BONUS AND STOCK OPTIONS, POST-GRADUATION. ABOUT HER ACADEMY PREP EXPERIENCE, SHE SAID, "ACADEMY PREP DEVELOPS COMMUNITY LEADERS BY GIVING EVERY CHILD A CHANCE TO SUCCEED AND A CHANCE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT."
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 August 2018.
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.
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