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New Vista School

EIN 95-2984938 · Laguna Hills, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 93 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS EDUCATION CLASSES ON A REGULAR BASIS, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, FOR STUDENTS WITH HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM AND LANGUAGE LEARNING DISABILITIES IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12. INSTRUCTION AND COUNSELING ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
72
Highest pay
$257,195, executive 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

Fair: 59 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 93 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: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $2.8 million spent. ALL PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES WERE EXPENDED IN ACCOMPLISHING THE OBJECTIVES STATED IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION. 151 STUDENTS WERE SERVED DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR. AS A STATE CERTIFIED NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL, WE PROVIDED SERVICES TO 36 STUDENTS FROM 11 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS UNDER CONTRACT DIRECTLY WITH THOSE DISTRICTS. WE OFFERED COMMUNITY BASED INTERNSHIPS AND INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE NEW VISTA CAREER ACADEMY; MADE DUAL CREDIT COLLEGE COURSES AVAILABLE FOR UPPER GRADES; AND ALIGNED CTE ARTICULATIONS WITH ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

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 1976.

    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.