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Sandia School

EIN 85-0196115 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$18.1 million
Spending
$16.5 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
277
Volunteers
169
Highest pay
$388,233, head of school

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 July 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)
  1. $9.5 million spent. INSTRUCTION - SANDIA PREP IS AN INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT SERVES APPROXIMATELY 500 DAY STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12. SANDIA PREP PROVIDES REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTELLECTUAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH WITHIN A CHALLENGING AND BALANCED PROGRAM. OUR INNOVATIVE COLLEGE PREP CURRICULUM PREPARES STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND, AND INSPIRES EACH TO FIND AND ACHIEVE HIS OR HER PURPOSE IN THE WORLD.
  2. $2.9 million spent. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SANDIA PREP PROVIDES TUITION REMISSION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO ATTEND. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE EXPENSES HELP FAMILIES PAY FOR THEIR STUDENTS TO ATTEND SANDIA PREP AND COMPRISE 40% OF THE STUDENT BODY.
  3. $717,185 spent. SUMMER PROGRAMS - SANDIA PREP OFFERS A SUMMER PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A SAFE AND EDUCATIONALLY CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS AND OUR CURRENT STUDENTS. THE SUMMER PROGRAM RECENTLY SERVED APPROXIMATELY 800 STUDENTS FROM AGES 5 TO 16.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 October 13, 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 July 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 August 1967.

    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 October 21, 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.