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CAURUS ACADEMY INC
MESA, AZ · EIN 470931190 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.caurusacademy.org
revenue
$5.0M
expenses
$5.7M
net assets
$-2.5M
employees
82
volunteers
7
program ratio
94%
mission · from form 990

TO PROVIDE CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE A TUITION-FREE QUALITY EDUCATION.

profile · synthesized from sources

CAURUS ACADEMY INC is a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving students from grades 1 through 12. The school emphasizes social and emotional learning through its C.A.R.E.S. framework and uses the Responsive Classroom approach to foster academic engagement and positive school climate. It offers academic programs aligned with Arizona state standards and provides athletics for middle and high school students.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Athletics Program
Offers sports competition for grades 6-12 through the Canyon Athletic Association, promoting values of integrity, determination, and honor
C.A.R.E.S. Social-Emotional Learning Framework
Teaches students cooperation, assertion, respect and responsibility, empathy, and self-control to support academic and social success
Responsive Classroom
Evidence-based approach integrating engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness into daily instruction
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Standardized Academic Testing Administration 12 activities
    • Administering Alternate Academic Assessments
      Administers the State’s Alternate Assessments (AIMS A Science and MSAA ELA and Mathematics) for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.
    • Administering Alternate Assessments for Students with Disabilities
      Administers the State’s Alternate Assessments (AIMS A Science and MSAA ELA and Mathematics) for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.
    • Administering Alternate Assessments for Students with Disabilities
      The organization administers the State’s Alternate Assessments (AIMS A Science and MSAA ELA and Mathematics) for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.
    • Administering Standardized Academic Assessments
      Administers various standardized assessments including the AASA (Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment) for English Language Arts and Mathematics to students in Grades 3-8, the AzSCI assessment to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11, and the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) for English language proficiency.
    • Administering Standardized Academic Assessments
      The organization administers various standardized academic assessments, including the AASA for English Language Arts and Mathematics (Grades 3-8), the AzSCI assessment (Grades 5, 8, and 11), and the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) for English language proficiency.
    • Administering State Academic Assessments
      Administers Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) in English Language Arts and Mathematics to students in Grades 3-8, the AzSCI assessment to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11, and the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) for English language proficiency.
    • English Language Learner Assessment Administration
      Administers the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) to measure students’ English language proficiency for placement and reassessment.
    • English Language Learner Assessment and Placement
      Administers the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) to measure students’ English language proficiency for placement and reassessment.
    • English Language Learner Assessment and Placement
      Administers the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) to measure students’ English language proficiency for placement and reassessment.
    • Standardized Academic Assessment Administration
      Administers various state-mandated assessments including the AASA (Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment) for English Language Arts and Mathematics to students in Grades 3-8, the AzSCI assessment to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11, and the State’s Alternate Assessments (AIMS A Science and MSAA ELA and Mathematics) for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.
    • Standardized Academic Assessment Administration
      Administers various state-mandated assessments including the AASA (Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment) for Grades 3-8 in English Language Arts and Mathematics, the AzSCI assessment for Grades 5, 8, and 11, and the State’s Alternate Assessments (AIMS A Science and MSAA ELA and Mathematics) for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
    • State-Mandated Academic Assessments Administration
      Administers various state-mandated assessments including the AASA (Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment) for English Language Arts and Mathematics to students in Grades 3-8, the AzSCI assessment to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11, and the State’s Alternate Assessments (AIMS A Science and MSAA ELA and Mathematics) for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.
  • Student Wellness & Support Services 4 activities
    • Implementing Responsive Classroom Approach
      The organization implements the Responsive Classroom approach to support student engagement in learning.
    • Implementing Responsive Classroom Approach
      Implements the Responsive Classroom approach to support student engagement in learning.
    • Student Engagement and Behavioral Support
      Implements the Responsive Classroom approach to support student engagement in learning.
    • Student Engagement and Behavioral Support
      Implements the Responsive Classroom approach to support student engagement in learning.
  • Extended Day Childcare Programs 4 activities
    • K-12 Educational Programming
      Operates school programming for students in 1st through 12th grades, with specific schedules for elementary (8:05 am to 3:05 pm) and secondary (8:15 am to 2:50 pm) levels. The academy serves 600 students with an 18:1 staff to student ratio and class sizes capped at 30 students.
    • K-12 Educational Programming
      Operates school programming for students in 1st through 12th grades, with specific schedules for elementary (8:05 am to 3:05 pm) and secondary (8:15 am to 2:50 pm) levels. The academy serves 600 students with an 18:1 staff to student ratio and class sizes capped at 30 students.
    • Operating K-12 School Programs
      Operates school programming for 1st through 4th grades from 8:05 am to 3:05 pm and for 5th through 12th grades from 8:15 am to 2:50 pm, serving 600 students.
    • Operating K-12 School Programs
      CAURUS ACADEMY INC operates school programming for 1st through 4th grades from 8:05 am to 3:05 pm and for 5th through 12th grades from 8:15 am to 2:50 pm, serving 600 students.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Interscholastic Sports Programs
      Operates interscholastic sports programs for students in grades 6-12 through participation in the Canyon Athletic Association.
    • Interscholastic Sports Programs
      Operates interscholastic sports programs for students in grades 6-12 through participation in the Canyon Athletic Association.
    • Operating Interscholastic Sports Programs
      Operates interscholastic sports programs for students in grades 6-12 through participation in the Canyon Athletic Association.
    • Operating Interscholastic Sports Programs
      The organization operates interscholastic sports programs for students in grades 6-12 through participation in the Canyon Athletic Association.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$4.97M
Contributions & grants$684K14%
Program service revenue$4.28M86%
Investment income$8460%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$5.68M
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$2.93M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$18.84M
Cash$4.26M
Investments$0
Liabilities$21.31M
Net assets$-2.47M
Liquid reserves9.0 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue -16.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARK PLITZUWEIT CEO 1 $374K
PATRIC GREER CFO 1 $211K
board members · 7
  • HORACIO HUERTA — BOARD MEMBER
  • KAREN LIEPMANN — BOARD MEMBER
  • KEVIN LAMOUNTAIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARY GIFFORD — BOARD MEMBER
  • SAWANA GRIMMETT — BOARD MEMBER
  • SCOTT JOHNSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUSAN CIARDULLO — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • Canyon Athletic Association Partner — Partnership to provide interscholastic sports competition for Caurus Academy students.
  • Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Network — Organization that has recognized Responsive Classroom as a well-designed social and emotional learning program.
  • Responsive Classroom Partner — Partner organization whose educational approach is implemented at Caurus Academy Elementary School.