Applied Scholastics International
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
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
To improve and revitalize the field of education by instructing students and teachers in the proper method of studying using Study Technology developed by educator and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.
- Income
- $332,831
- Spending
- $296,892
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 5
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 351% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 82% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 83 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 252 of 3 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $62,399 spent. Publishing - Applied Scholastics Spanish Lake advances education by training educators and others how to learn effectively through the application of simple but effective techniques called Study Technology. It publishes and sells an extensive library in multi-languages of educational books, training course manuals, educational posters, etc. These educational publications are sold to teachers, workforce development trainers, students, affiliate schools and the general public.
- $148,366 spent. Education & Literacy - Applied Scholastics Spanish Lake trains adult educators and students in its Applied Scholastics Educator Institute, a post-secondary, proprietary school certified with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. While most training is conducted at the Institutes St Louis campus, some was delivered in countries such as Ghana and Liberia. Students learn how to: recognize and overcome learning barriers; work within classrooms with diverse levels of student competency; close the gaps in student academic achievement; tutor using specialized techniques for phonics, sight word repertoire, subject vocabulary and comprehension strategies.
- $52,100 spent. Public Awareness and Information Campaigns - One of Applied Scholastics Spanish Lakes principal programs is showing the public how they can overcome learning problems commonly encountered, through free workshops and seminars, educational pamphlets and booklets, newsletters and blogs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Caution.
Not 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 December 2024.
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 October 1993.
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.
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.