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Nonprofiteer
← CHALLENGE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by CHALLENGE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL.

Totals

Total revenue
$29,576,022
Total expenses
$32,050,945
Contributions and grants received
$1,264,503
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$28,251,902
Investment income
$47,665
Other revenue
$11,952
Total assets, end of year
$90,594,036
Total liabilities, end of year
$94,038,007
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
-$3,443,971
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$28,870,761
Management and general expenses
$3,112,165
Fundraising expenses
$68,019
Program service expenses (Part III)
$28,870,761

Program services were 90.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $690,538

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $573,965

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $76,917

  • 2a · Program service revenue: GOV'T PER-PUPIL REVENUE

    total $24,865,402 · related or exempt $24,865,402

  • 2b · Program service revenue: GOV'T PER-PUPIL FACILITIES REVENU

    total $3,386,500 · related or exempt $3,386,500

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $47,665 · excluded $47,665

  • 11a · Other revenue: REFUNDS

    total $10,309 · excluded $10,309

  • 11b · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

    total $1,063 · excluded $1,063

  • 11c · Other revenue: VENDING MACHINE COMMISSION

    total $580 · excluded $580

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $11,952

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,264,875 · program services $735,463 · management and general $515,192 · fundraising $14,220

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $82,678 · program services $74,539 · management and general $8,139

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $13,998,714 · program services $12,948,008 · management and general $1,040,472 · fundraising $10,234

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $272,457 · program services $252,677 · management and general $19,523 · fundraising $257

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,215,859 · program services $1,141,645 · management and general $74,089 · fundraising $125

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,407,836 · program services $1,267,450 · management and general $138,312 · fundraising $2,074

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $48,640 · management and general $48,640

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $31,013 · management and general $31,013

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $15,173 · fundraising $15,173

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,436,184 · program services $2,258,722 · management and general $177,462

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,500 · program services $2,500

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $359,642 · program services $307,612 · management and general $40,049 · fundraising $11,981

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $383,163 · program services $347,984 · management and general $34,607 · fundraising $572

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $8,435,419 · program services $7,591,110 · management and general $831,864 · fundraising $12,445

  • 20 · Interest

    total $6,885 · management and general $6,885

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $475,660 · program services $428,094 · management and general $47,566

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $304,022 · program services $273,633 · management and general $29,940 · fundraising $449

  • 24a · Other expenses: CLASSROOM MATERIALS

    total $616,251 · program services $616,251

  • 24b · Other expenses: REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

    total $325,244 · program services $292,735 · management and general $32,029 · fundraising $480

  • 24c · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $110,216 · program services $110,216

  • 24d · Other expenses: STUDENT SERVICES

    total $93,925 · program services $93,809 · management and general $116

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $164,589 · program services $128,313 · management and general $36,267 · fundraising $9

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $2,850,466 · end of year $2,776,385

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,119,084 · end of year $1,166,749

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $911,776 · end of year $265,908

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $768,474 · end of year $933,331

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $4,158,305

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $3,331,809

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,047,499 · end of year $826,496

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $88,115,707 · end of year $84,625,167

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,335,666 · end of year $2,620,811

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $39,214 · end of year $464,047

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $93,407,174 · end of year $90,953,149

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year -$969,048 · end of year -$3,443,971

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

TO PREPARE STUDENTS FROM THE GREATER FAR ROCKAWAY AREA OF NEW YORK CITY TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, TO DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF THE NEW YORK STATE AND COMMON CORE LEARNING STANDARDS, AND TO ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO GAIN ADMISSION TO AND SUCCEED IN COMPETITIVE HIGH SCHOOLS.

  • THE MISSION OF CHALLENGE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL (CHALLENGE) IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FROM THE GREATER FAR ROCKAWAY COMMUNITY TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, TO DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF THE NYS AND NEXT GENERATION LEARNING STANDARDS AND TO ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS. CHALLENGE CULTIVATES AND SUPPORTS THE INTELLECTUAL, AESTHETIC, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STUDENTS AND PREPARES THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE 21ST CENTURY CITIZENS. TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION, CHALLENGE OFFERS A RIGOROUS INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, TECHNOLOGY-INFUSED AND DATA-ENRICHED SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.SINCE 2010, CHALLENGE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL HAS SERVED FAMILIES IN FAR ROCKAWAY, NY OFFERING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION IN A SUPPORTIVE AND RIGOROUS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. WE ARE THE ONLY SCHOOL ON THE PENINSULA TO OFFER KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EARLY COLLEGE EDUCATION. FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, THE SCHOOL SERVED APPROXIMATELY 1,194 STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 12TH.

    Expenses $28,870,761 · Revenue $28,251,902

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Frederica Jeffries

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Andrew Barnes III

    VICE-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Linda Plummer

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Karon McFarlane

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dr Michelle Daniel-Robertson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Gertrudis Hernandez

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Ben Waxman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Dr Leslie Mullings

    CEO/FOUNDER

    Total calculated
    $321,700
    From this org
    $272,907
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,793
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $268,076
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,831
    Deferred
    $8,276
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,517
    Filer's total
    $321,700

  • Donna Webster

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $191,293
    From this org
    $158,405
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,888
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $157,456
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $949
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,888
    Filer's total
    $191,293

  • Mavgar Mondesir-Gordon

    SR. DIRECTOR, TEACHING & LEARNING

    Total calculated
    $329,909
    From this org
    $289,265
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,644
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $287,944
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,321
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,644
    Filer's total
    $329,909

  • Kentia Coreus

    SR. DIRECTOR, TEACHING & LEARNING

    Total calculated
    $243,531
    From this org
    $209,340
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,191
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $208,775
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $565
    Deferred
    $6,386
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,805
    Filer's total
    $243,531

  • Tameeka Richards Director Of

    PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES

    Total calculated
    $164,765
    From this org
    $159,183
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,582
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $158,777
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $406
    Deferred
    $4,763
    Nontaxable benefits
    $819
    Filer's total
    $164,765

  • Gasner Vil

    PRINCIPAL

    Total calculated
    $181,838
    From this org
    $152,668
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,170
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $152,080
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $588
    Deferred
    $4,856
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,314
    Filer's total
    $181,838

  • Sheila Lyle

    ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

    Total calculated
    $165,201
    From this org
    $133,801
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,400
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $132,250
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,551
    Deferred
    $4,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,200
    Filer's total
    $165,201

  • Humma Qureshi

    ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

    Total calculated
    $198,445
    From this org
    $175,144
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,301
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $174,469
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $675
    Deferred
    $5,346
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,955
    Filer's total
    $198,445

  • Valencia Kirnon

    ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

    Total calculated
    $156,683
    From this org
    $140,705
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,978
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $139,931
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $774
    Deferred
    $1,172
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,806
    Filer's total
    $156,683

  • Jacqueline Ward-Brew

    ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

    Total calculated
    $155,928
    From this org
    $136,543
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,385
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $134,992
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,551
    Deferred
    $4,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,185
    Filer's total
    $155,928

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
26 February 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202600579349301660

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