San Diego Jewish Academy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
San Diego Jewish Academy empowers each student to learn for life, guided by Jewish values and rooted in strength of community.
- Income
- $25.8 million
- Spending
- $27.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 239
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $617,722, head of school
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: 33 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 42 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $24.5 million spent. SAN DIEGO JEWISH ACADEMY (SDJA) SHAPES FUTURE THINKERS, CREATORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS BY BLENDING MODERN EDUCATION WITH MEANING AND PURPOSE.For over four decades, SDJA has been a premier independent Jewish day school, educating students to reach their fullest potential. With a focus on the whole child, SDJA provides a rigorous academic environment tailored to each students learning profile. Here, students find joy in learning while thriving in a supportive social and emotional environment that prepares them for college and beyond.SDJAs deeply engaging curriculum lays a strong foundation in both core academics and Jewish literacy. The journey begins in the Early Childhood Center, where children aged 18 months to five years develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally through active learning. In the Golda Meir Lower School, students cultivate critical thinking and exploration in an environment that fosters growth and lifelong learning. As students transition into the Maimonides Upper School in sixth grade, they experience a transformational education that integrates academic excellence, character development, and Jewish teachings. This well-rounded approach ensures SDJA graduates are prepared to flourish in life, whether pursuing higher education or meaningful gap year programs, many in Israel.SDJA believes that to truly engage and educate a child, you must first understand them. Through personalized attention, students build strong relationships with their teachers, fostering a deep sense of community that enhances their education.Our graduates embody the SDJA missionempowered to learn for life, guided by Jewish values, and rooted in the strength of community.San Diego Jewish Academys vision is to develop leaders in academics, Jewish life, and the communityexcelling in technology, athletics, and the arts. We inspire students to find joy and meaning in their lifelong pursuit of learning and personal growth.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.