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Beacon Academy

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 200158631 ✦ Crystal, MN ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Beacon Academy?

Beacon Academy is a small, compassionate public charter school situated in Crystal, Minnesota. The school is distinguished by its rigorous, content-rich curriculum that incorporates daily Spanish lessons, starting from kindergarten. This unique approach aims to foster children's eagerness to learn and develop their second language proficiency. The school's mission is to create a results-driven small learning community, emphasizing positive character development and active parental involvement. The supportive, caring environment at Beacon Academy encourages the growth and thrival of both students and staff, ensuring a holistic development of its students through research-based teaching methods and various extracurricular activities, including music, arts, physical education, and outdoor experiences. With approximately 535 students and 132 employees, Beacon Academy opened in 2005 and offers educational services from kindergarten to eighth grade.


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: Needs Improvement

Beacon Academy has received a Two-Star out of Four Star rating from Charity Navigator, with an overall score of 73%. This rating reflects the organization’s strengths in certain areas, such as its high program expense ratio of 89.02%, indicating a strong commitment to its mission and effective use of resources toward programmatic activities. Additionally, the organization has demonstrated good governance practices, earning full points in several categories like financial oversight and the presence of essential policies.

However, there are notable areas of concern that contribute to the "Needs Improvement" rating. The percentage of independent board members is low, with only 44% being independent, which raises questions about governance and oversight. Moreover, the organization has a concerning liabilities to assets ratio of 168.95%, suggesting financial challenges that may impact its stability and sustainability.

While Beacon Academy shows promise through its commitment to programs and sound financial practices, the governance structure and financial health must be addressed to enhance its effectiveness and accountability. An improvement in these areas could boost the organization's rating and overall impact in the community.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Beacon Academy legitimate?

Beacon Academy is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Beacon Academy submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $614,081
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $3,903,588

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

What is the mission statement of Beacon Academy?

Beacon Academy's mission is centered around providing a rigorous and content-rich curriculum, integrating sequential Spanish language instruction for Twin Cities families. The school aims to create a small learning community, fostering a culture of positive character development and committed parental involvement. The curriculum is challenging and content-rich, with daily Spanish experiences starting from kindergarten. Teachers cater to individual strengths and needs, using various teaching styles and learning experiences. The school promotes positive character building, offering numerous opportunities for parent involvement. The staff and students thrive in an exciting, research-based curriculum and supportive, caring environment. At Beacon Academy, children develop second language proficiency while mastering English, reading, math, history, geography, and science. Arts and music experiences stimulate creativity and brain development, while physical education and outdoor activities keep children mentally and physically active. Distinctively, Beacon Academy includes comprehensive Spanish instruction at each grade level, enriching specific lessons in various classrooms.


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

Who is the CEO of Beacon Academy?

Sean Koster is the Chair of Beacon Academy.


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

What is the revenue of Beacon Academy?

Beacon Academy's revenue in 2022 was $9,230,402.


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

Who are the executives of Beacon Academy and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Beacon Academy during 2022 was $34,225. There are 132 employees and 139 volunteers at Beacon Academy.


Here are 13 key members and their salaries:


Wendy Terry (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kris Gapinski (Vice Chair/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $59,246
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $8,377
Aaron Price (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Paige Roth (Secretary/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $51,118
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $11,049
Heather Greibrok (Director/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $43,999
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $7,256
Cameron Ward (Director/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $42,568
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $6,168
Elizabeth Brobeck (Director/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $50,456
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $9,453
Joe Sears (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Elizabeth Warpinkski (Director/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $40,636
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $7,904
Joanna Pederson (Director/Teacher)
  • Compensation: $53,261
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $9,878
Matheu Weidenbach (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sean Koster (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $124,368
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $23,529
Mike Reeder (Principal)
  • Compensation: $93,101
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $16,364


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

Where can I find the form 990 for Beacon Academy?

Beacon Academy's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.beaconacademy.com

Learn more at the official website: www.beaconacademy.com

Mission Statement of Beacon Academy

Beacon Academy, a public charter school, is committed to providing K-8 educational services with a unique twist. Its mission is to offer a rigorous and content-rich curriculum integrated with sequential Spanish language instruction to Twin Cities families. The school aims to create a small learning community, fostering a culture of positive character development and engaged parental involvement.

At Beacon Academy, students are encouraged to embrace learning through challenging lessons, daily Spanish experiences beginning in kindergarten, and various opportunities for parent involvement. Teachers tailor their teaching methods to cater to each child's strengths and needs, ensuring a supportive and nurturing learning environment. The school's focus on comprehensive Spanish instruction sets it apart, with Spanish being used daily to enrich specific lessons in various classrooms.

The school is not an immersion school but rather follows a FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) language program, incorporating daily Spanish instruction and supplemental Spanish lessons in other curriculum areas. The result is a balanced approach to language learning, allowing students to build second language proficiency while mastering English, math, history, geography, and science at their respective levels. Additionally, music and arts experiences stimulate creativity and brain development, while physical education and outdoor activities keep students physically active and mentally engaged.

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Impact




October, 2024

Beacon Academy significantly impacts the educational landscape by providing a small, nurturing environment that enhances children's eagerness to learn through a comprehensive and challenging curriculum. By integrating daily Spanish instruction from kindergarten onward, it fosters bilingual proficiency alongside mastery of essential subjects like reading, math, history, geography, and science. The academy emphasizes positive character development, offering numerous opportunities for parental involvement, which strengthens the school community.

With an enrollment of approximately 535 students from grades K-8, teachers at Beacon Academy cater to individual strengths and needs through varied teaching styles and learning experiences. This personalized approach ensures that both staff and students thrive in a supportive, research-based climate that promotes creativity through music and arts, as well as physical health via outdoor activities.

By focusing on a holistic education model that values both academic achievement and character development, Beacon Academy creates a vibrant learning community where children can grow academically and socially, preparing them for future success.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Beacon Academy. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$9,230,402 (2022)
Expenses
$9,105,055 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $1,106
  • Program Service Revenue: $17,713
  • Gross Receipts: $9,230,402

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $5,469,878
  • Total Liabilities: $8,617,060
  • Net Assets: -$3,147,182

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

FEES FROM PATRONS

Revenue

$14,706

FOOD SERVICE REVENUE

Revenue

$3,007

Organization Details

Founding Year

2003

Principal Officer

Sean Koster

Main Address

3415 LOUISIANA AVE N, CRYSTAL, MN, 55427

NTEE Category

Code: B24 - Education

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