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Open School Inc

EIN 93-0757378 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF OPEN SCHOOL, INC. IS TO DEVELOP CONNECTION, CAPABILITY, AND CONFIDENCE IN DISCONNECTED YOUTH THROUGH RELATIONSHIP-BASED, QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT RESULT IN ACADEMIC, PERSONAL, AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 50%
Employees
72
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$116,688, open school east principal

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (2)
  1. $1.5 million spent. STEP UP PROGRAM:DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE STEP UP PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SCHOOL-YEAR TUTORING, MENTORING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, ADVOCACY, AND SUMMER PROGRAM SERVICES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED AT ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN, AND LEODIS V. MCDANIEL HIGH SCHOOLS WHO AREIDENTIFIED AS NEEDING ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO SUCCEED IN THEIR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON INTENSIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH INCOMING 9TH GRADERS, WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. STEP UP ENGAGES STUDENTS IN THE SUMMER PRIOR TO 9TH GRADE AND FOCUSES ON FULL, TIMELY CREDIT ATTAINMENT AND ACTIVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN SCHOOL TO KEEP STUDENTS ON TRACK TO GRADUATE. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS WITH PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PORTLAND CHILDREN'S LEVY, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, AND INDIVIUDAL DONORS.
  2. $1.6 million spent. OPEN SCHOOL EAST:THE OPEN SCHOOL EAST PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTENNIAL, GRESHAM-BARLOW, PARKROSE, PORTLAND PUBLIC, REYNOLDS, AND DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CONTINUED TO DEPLOY STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE AND ACCELERATE OFF-TRACK STUDENTS IN GRADES 9 THROUGH 12. USING EARLY-WARNING INDICATORS TO IDENTIFY YOUNG, MARGINALIZED STUDENTS AT RISK OF DROPPING OUT, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE, RELATIONSHIP-BASED, EXTENDED-DAY AND -YEAR SCHOOL PROGRAMMING WHICH FOCUSES ON ENGAGEMENT AND SKILL-ACCELERATION TO PREPARE THEM FOR POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS. STRATEGIES INCLUDE ACTIVE RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS, SUMMER SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, RESTORATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY, INTENSIVE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AND PREPARATION, EMPHASIZING CULTURAL IDENTITY, ESSENTIAL SKILLS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND THE ARTS. STAFF FROM PARTNER DISTRICTS ARE PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN BEST PRACTICES FOR ENGAGING MARGINALIZED STUDENTS, WHILE ASSISTING IN TEACHING STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY THE FIVE PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WELL AS PRIVATE FOUNDATION AND INDIVIDUAL GIFTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.