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Pacific Ridge School

EIN 86-1061606 · Carlsbad, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN A COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT, PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL PREPARES STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND A PURPOSEFUL LIFE.

Income
$34.7 million
Spending
$33.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
236
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$565,532, head of school

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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 32% 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

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (1)
  1. $30.7 million spent. IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, PACIFIC RIDGE SCHOOL EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT TO 661 STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12 COMPARED TO 688 STUDENTS IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR. SCHOOL LEADERSHIP RECOGNIZES THE VALUE TO STUDENTS OF COMBINING FIRST-RATE CLASSROOM ACADEMICS WITH SERVICE LEARNING AND GLOBAL TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES, THE ARTS, SCIENCES, AND ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION.STUDENTS AT PACIFIC RIDGE BENEFIT FROM ENGAGING AROUND A HARKNESS TABLE WITH THEIR PEERS AND TEACHER IN CLASSES AVERAGING 15 STUDENTS. FACULTY BRING A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE, PASSION AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE TO THE CLASSROOM EVERY DAY. OVER 75% OF OUR FACULTY HOLD ADVANCED DEGREES AND AN AVERAGE 7:1 STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO SUPPORTS COMPREHENSION AND ADVANCEMENT.PARTICIPATION IN ONE OF THE SCHOOL'S 34 SERVICE LEARNING GROUPS ENRICHES EACH STUDENT'S ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE, TEACHES CIVIC AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD. BUILT INTO THE CURRICULUM, SERVICE LEARNING IS REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-10. NEARLY 90% OF UPPERCLASSMEN CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAM. BY EXPLORING DIFFERENT CULTURES, EMBRACING THE UNFAMILIAR, AND ATTEMPTING TO HELP THOSE OUTSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STUDENTS BECOME GLOBAL CITIZENS INTENT ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE. SINCE THE SCHOOL'S INCEPTION, PACIFIC RIDGE STUDENTS HAVE TRAVELED TO OVER 58 COUNTRIES ON 6 CONTINENTS.PACIFIC RIDGE OFFERS 37 UPPER SCHOOL ARTS ELECTIVES INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMMAKING, MUSIC, SINGING, THEATER, GRAPHIC DESIGN, STUDIO ARTS, AND DANCE. PACIFIC RIDGE OFFERS 60 ATHLETIC TEAMS, LED BY PASSIONATE COACHES AND STAFF. OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES LEARN THE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION AND THE VALUE OF SPORTSMANSHIP WHILE PURSUING EXCELLENCE ON AND OFF THE FIELD. WITH OVER 90 ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT CLUBS, STUDENTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHARE THEIR TALENTS, BROADEN THEIR INTERESTS, AND DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS.WHILE TUITION ENSURES AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION, IT IS THROUGH PHILANTHROPY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND - PROVIDING THE EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES THAT ALLOW OUR STUDENTS TO FULFILL THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL, BOTH IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE AFTERWARDS.

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 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 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 February 2004.

    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.