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Passes our checks

Christian Unified Schools of San Diego

EIN 95-2406918 · El Cajon, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RECOGNIZING THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST, PARTNERING WITH PARENTS, CHRISTIAN UNIFIED SCHOOLS OF SAN DIEGO (CUSSD) TEACHES STUDENTS TO THINK, LEARN, AND LIVE FROM A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW BY INTEGRATING GOD AND HIS WORD AS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH.

Income
$26.1 million
Spending
$26.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
331
Volunteers
472
Highest pay
$283,648, president and director

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 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $22.5 million spent. CHRISTIAN UNIFIED SCHOOLS OF SAN DIEGO (CUSSD) IS AN ACCREDITED, PRIVATE CHRISTIAN K THROUGH 12 SCHOOL PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION FROM A CHRIST CENTERED WORLD VIEW. CUSSD PROVIDES THIS EDUCATION WITHIN THE SETTING OF THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL MODEL, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A WIDE VARIETY OF ATHLETICS, MUSIC, FINE ARTS, AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAMS IN ORDER THAT EACH STUDENT MAY DEVELOP TO HIS OR HER FULLEST POTENTIAL. CUSSD OFFERS A TUITION GRANT PROGRAM TO FAMILIES WITH A DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED. CUSSD ADMITS STUDENTS OF ANY RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL AND ETHNIC ORIGIN TO ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES GENERALLY ACCORDED, OR MADE AVAILABLE, TO STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL. CUSSD DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF ITS EDUCATIONAL POLICIES, ADMISSIONS POLICIES, ATHLETIC AND OTHER SCHOOL ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS, NOR IN THE HIRING OF FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION. CUSSD OPERATES A SENIOR HIGH, TWO JUNIOR HIGHS, AND THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

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 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 June 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 November 1966.

    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.

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