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Imago Dei Middle School

EIN 86-1155866 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMAGO DEI MIDDLE SCHOOL IS AN INDEPENDENT, TUITION-FREE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES FROM TUCSON NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ADMIT CHILDREN OF DIVERSE FAITHS, RACES, CULTURES, AND COGNITIVE PROFILES, BELIEVING IN THE EPISCOPAL TRADITION THAT WE FIND GOD IN AND THROUGH EACH OTHER'S PRESENCE.IMAGO DEI'S SMALL CLASSES, INDIVIDUALIZED CURRICULA, AND EXTENDED SCHOOL DAYS PROVIDE RIGOROUS ACADEMIC, MORAL AND SOCIAL INSTRUCTION. IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES, WE ARE AN INNOVATIVE LEARNING COMMUNITY THAT AFFORDS STRUCTURED SUPPORT TO HELP STUDENTS THRIVE. TOGETHER, WE ARE A SCHOOL THAT NEVER GIVES UP ON A CHILD.IMAGO DEI CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THE FULLNESS OFTHEIR INDIVIDUAL GIFTS. WE SEEK TO PREPARE GRADUATES WHO WILL CONTRIBUTE INTELLECTUALLY, MORALLY AND ACTIVELY TO THE SOCIETY THEY WILL INHERIT. (ADOPTED AND MODIFIED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL IN DORCHESTER, MA).

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
27
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$145,857, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 81% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 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 (1)
  1. $2.5 million spent. IMAGO DEI MIDDLE SCHOOL, ESTABLISHED IN 2005, SERVES BOYS AND GIRLS INTHE 4TH THROUGH 8TH GRADES FROM FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOME RESIDING IN TUCSON AND SOUTH TUCSON. IMAGO DEI MIDDLE SCHOOL IS MODELED AFTER THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL IN DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS AND IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS. IMAGO DEI IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM AND SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:* QUALITY ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL EDUCATION.* INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT, NURTURING EACH CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT AND IDENTITY.* AN EXTENDED SCHOOL DAY (10 HOURS), WEEK (5 AND 1/2 DAYS) AND YEAR(11 MONTHS).* SMALL CLASSES FOR SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION (TEACHING RATIO OF 1 TO 10).* TUITION-FREE EDUCATION.* ACCESS TO VITALLY NEEDED HEALTH, PREVENTION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES.* OPPORTUNITIES FOR STRONG PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.IMAGO DEI MIDDLE SCHOOL IS FOCUSED ON EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD AND BREAKING CYCLES OF POVERTY. THE CRITERION FOR ADMISSION IS BASED ONSTUDENTS QUALIFYING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FREE/REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM. STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FINANCIALLY ARE ADMITTED ON A ROLLING BASIS UNTIL THE CLASS IS FULL, AND THEN APPLICANTS ARE ADDED TO A WAIT LIST FOR OPENINGS. THE COST OF TUITION AT IMAGO DEI MIDDLE SCHOOL IS APPROXIMATELY $35,000 PER YEAR PER CHILD. IMAGO DEI OPERATES AS A TUITION-FREE SCHOOL DUE TO THE ECONOMIC LIMITATIONS OF STUDENTS' FAMILIES; THEREFORE, DONOR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF IMAGO DEI'S MISSION.

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 September 2006.

    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.