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The Oaks School

EIN 95-4106117 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.
  • 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

IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY, THE OAKS SCHOOL PREPARES STUDENTS TO MEET THE WORLD WITH THE COMBINED WISDOM OF AN INTELLIGENT MIND, A SKILLED HAND, AND A COMPASSIONATE HEART.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
31
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$407,718, 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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 116% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $4.9 million spent. THE OAKS SCHOOL PROVIDES QUALITY PRIVATE EDUCATION, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE, FOR APPROXIMATELY 95 STUDENTS.THE SCHOOL'S PHILOSOPHY IS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT BEST LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE CREATED WHEN CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN EDUCATION, AND WHERE THEY FEEL SAFE TO TAKE RISKS, MAKE MISTAKES, AND MASTER SKILLS. CURRICULUM AT THE SCHOOL EDUCATES THE WHOLE CHILD. THROUGH PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE, CHALLENGE, AND INTERPRET THE WORLD AROUND THEM. THE SCHOOL IS FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, AND IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS.

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 January 1988.

    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.