Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
INSPIRED BY THE CATHOLIC FAITH, CHESTERTON ACADEMY SEEKS TO FORM YOUNG STUDENT TO BE JOYFUL SAINTS. BY INTRODUCING THEM TO GREAT THINKERS AND BY FORMING THEM IN A DISTINCTLY CATHOLIC CULTURE, WE LEAD STUDENTS TO CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES THE ADVENTURE OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST.
- Income
- $991,311
- Spending
- $752,855
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- -15.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 0
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 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 76% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 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)
- $701,486 spent. INSPIRED BY SAINT POPE JOHN PAUL II, WE TAKE AS OUR MOTTO CULTURA VITAE, THE CULTURE OF LIFE. WE MAKE IT OUR MISSION TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS TO TRIUMPH OVER THE MATERIALISM AND DESPAIR THAT PERVADE OUR CULTURE AND TO ACCEPT OUR LORD'S OFFER TO HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY. OUR CLASSICAL CURRICULUM COMBINES A BROAD, LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND AN APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY. THROUGH OUR THREE PILLARS MODEL, WE FORM OUR STUDENTS IN INTELLECT, CHARACTER AND SPIRITUALITY.
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
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2022.
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 November 4, 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.