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Spring Hill-The Advanced Elementary School of Santa Cruz

EIN 94-2434911 · Santa Cruz, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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

SPRING HILL IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL WHERE THE TALENTS OF BRIGHT AND GIFTED CHILDREN ARE RECOGNIZED, NURTURED, AND DEVELOPED TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE SCHOOL'S ACCELERATED AND ENRICHED CURRICULUM SUPPORTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND ENCOURAGES A SPIRIT OF INQUISITIVENESS AND CREATIVITY.

Income
$868,598
Spending
$906,268
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
19
Volunteers
20

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 580% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 August 31, 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. $850,319 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A RICH AND VARIED PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES A STRONG ACADEMIC CURRICULUM BALANCED WITH FINE ARTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLACES A STRONG EMPHASIS ON LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH, AND SCIENCE. IT ALSO TEACHES SPANISH AT ALL GRADE LEVELS,INCLUDING KINDERGARTEN, BECAUSE MODERN LANGUAGES ARE INDISPENSABLE TO THE MULTICULTURAL WORLD. ANCIENT HISTORY, UNITED STATES HISTORY, WORLD CULTURE, LATIN, FRENCH, GEOGRAPHY, AND ALGEBRA ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE UPPER GRADE CURRICULUM. THE ORGANIZATION ENROLLED 75 STUDENTS IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR AND PROVIDED FINANCIAL AID TO 23 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 November 6, 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 August 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 February 1978.

    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 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.