South Sound Christian Schools
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- 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 SUPPORT THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND CHURCH BY PROVIDING A BIBLICALLY-BASED EDUCATION FOR PRE-KINDERGARTEN TO 12TH GRADES THAT CHALLENGES YOUNG LIVES TO GROW IN FAITH, KNOWLEDGE & SKILL SO THAT THEY MAY GLORIFY GOD AND SERVE OTHERS.
- Income
- $3.1 million
- Spending
- $4.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -17 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 93%
- Employees
- 119
- Volunteers
- 87
- Highest pay
- $115,946, interim executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 20 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 310% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 55 out of 100.
Independent board
5 of 254 of 8 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
- $3.6 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1960, SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY PROVIDES A QUALITY, AFFORDABLE EDUCATION WITH A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW IN THE CONTEXT OF DISCIPLESHIP AND COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR WE SERVED 308 STUDENTS FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE. TO SUPPORT FAMILIES, WE AIM TO KEEP OUR TUITION LOW RELATIVE TO OTHER PEER INSTITUTIONS. HALF OF OUR STUDENT BODY ALSO RECEIVE SOME FORM OF DISCOUNTED TUITION OR NEED BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A SPORTS PROGRAM, INCLUDING A BASKETBALL TEAM THAT WENT TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. UNUSUAL AMONG PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS IN OUR AREA, WE PROVIDE A RANGE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DIAGNOSED LEARNING NEEDS. SINCE OUR FOUNDING AS TACOMA BAPTIST SCHOOLS, THE SCHOOL HAS REFLECTED THE QUALITIES AND DIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF TACOMA. MANY OF OUR FAMILIES ARE NOT WHAT WOULD BE THOUGHT OF AS TRADITIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL FAMILIES. INSTEAD, THE MAJORITY COME FROM BLUE COLLAR BACKGROUNDS AND WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES WHO WORK HARD AND SACRIFICE MUCH TO PUT THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THROUGH PRIVATE SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY PASSIONATELY BELIEVE IN THE MISSION OF THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY IT OFFERS. WE ARE A GRITTY SCHOOL WITH A CAN-DO ATTITUDE, WITH A STAFF AND STUDENT CULTURE THAT PULLS TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS HAVE PASSED THROUGH TACOMA BAPTIST SCHOOLS/ SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY. OUR GRADUATES LIVE OUT THEIR CALLING AND VOCATIONS AS MEN AND WOMEN FULFILLING THEIR MANDATE AS GOD'S IMAGE-BEARERS AND ENGAGE THE WORLD FOR CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SEEING THE WORK OF GOD GROW IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS, IN TACOMA, AND AROUND THE WORLD.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 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 May 1984.
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.