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Choices for Children Day School

EIN 85-0322893 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SERVE THE EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, AND AESTHETIC NEEDS OF A DIVERSE POPULATION WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, OR HANDICAP. TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGE CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING.

Income
$988,074
Spending
$992,045
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
17
Highest pay
$75,089, director

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 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 431% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs.

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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $473,274 spent. PRESCHOOL, PRE-K, AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: PROVIDES ACTIVITIES IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF PRACTICAL LIFE, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, MANIPULATIVE ACTIVITIES, LIBRARY, DRAMATIC PLAY, PUPPETRY, ART, AND MUSIC. IN THE PAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 51 STUDENTS WERE SERVED IN THE PROGRAM, WITH 41 (80%) FROM LOW INCOME/SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS, AND 42 (82%) WERE MINORITY STUDENTS, I.E. HISPANIC, BLACK, NATIVE AMERICAN, ETC. MAJOR SUPPORT COMES FROM THE NM CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT.
  2. $334,361 spent. INFANT-TODDLER PROGRAM: WITH RATIOS OF 1:4, THE STAFF PROVIDES GUIDANCE IN A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT WHERE A CHILD CAN ACHIEVE FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS. CHILDREN FEEL SAFE AND SECURE WITH INDIVIDUAL INTERACTION AND FEEDING. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE TOYS ARE USED TO INSTILL SELF CONFIDENCE. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IS ACHIEVED WITH APPROPRIIATE MUSIC, COMMUNICATION, AND ATTENTION BY TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT. IN THE PAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 36 STUDENTS WERE SERVED, WITH 27 (75%) FROM LOW INCOME/SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS, AND 26 (72%) WERE MINORITY STUDENTS, I.E. HISPANIC, BLACK, NATIVE AMERICAN, ETC. MAJOR SUPPORT IS FROM NM CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT.
  3. $34,524 spent. CHILD CARE FOOD PROGRAM: HEALTHY, BALANCED BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES, AND SNACKS ARE PROVIDED YEAR ROUND, FIVE DAYS A WEEK. MEALS ARE PREPARED ON-SITE IN A HEALTH DEPARTMENT CERTIFIED AND INSPECTED KITCHEN. MENUS ARE NUTRITIOUSLY PLANNED ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GUIDELINES BY A FULL- TIME COOK. CHILDREN EAT FAMILY STYLE, WITH THE CHILDREN MAKING PERSONAL FOOD CHOICES, COMMUNICATING ABOUT NOURISHMENT, AND PASSING THE FOOD AROUND THE TABLE SERVING THEMSELVES. IN THE PAST YEAR, 87 STUDENTS WERE SERVED NUTRITIOUS MEALS, WITH 68 (78%) OF THE STUDENTS COMING FROM LOW INCOME/SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS, AND 67 (77%) WERE MINORITY STUDENTS. THE NM CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM HELPS SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.