2026-05-01T09:10:36-07:00 2025-06-30 300636241 NIGRO & NIGRO PC 25220 Hancock Ave Ste 400 MURRIETA CA 92562 990 2024-07-01 330542733 THE HIGH DESERT PARTNERSHIP IN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION INC HIGH 7609465414 17500 MANA ROAD APPLE VALLEY CA 92307 DAVID GRUBER DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 2026-05-01 true true Jeff Nigro CPA P00222252 9516988783 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z LISA LAMB 17500 MANA ROAD APPLE VALLEY CA 92307 45359477 false X WWW.LEWISCENTER.ORG X 1992 CA THE HIGH DESERT PARTNERSHIP IN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION, INC., IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS, EDUCATORS, PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND OTHERS, PROMOTES AND SUPPORTS THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVERSEES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION AND RECEIVES AND UTILIZES FUNDS ACQUIRED THROUGH SOLICITATION FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE CORPORATION WAS FORMED. THE MISSION OF THE LEWIS CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IS TO ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE CORPORATION PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATIVE AND RESEARCH-PROVEN PRACTICES. ACADEMY FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE EXISTS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS THROUGH A RELEVANT, RIGOROUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY EDUCATION. NORTON SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ACADEMY EXISTS TO ENSURE LEARNING FOR A DIVERSE POPULATION OF STUDENTS WITHIN A SAFE AND RIGOROUS BILINGUAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT. 9 7 495 330 0 44748238 44443417 533906 477882 293668 400419 6311 20976 45582123 45342694 0 0 30078082 30722057 0 271 14521753 17117531 44599835 47839588 982288 -2496894 142517047 141406223 56933504 58420295 85583543 82985928 THE HIGH DESERT PARTNERSHIP IN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION, INC., IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS, EDUCATORS, PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND OTHERS, PROMOTES AND SUPPORTS THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVERSEES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION AND RECEIVES AND UTILIZES FUNDS ACQUIRED THROUGH SOLICITATION FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE CORPORATION WAS FORMED. THE MISSION OF THE LEWIS CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IS TO ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE CORPORATION PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATIVE AND RESEARCH-PROVEN PRACTICES. ACADEMY FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE EXISTS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS THROUGH A RELEVANT, RIGOROUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY EDUCATION. NORTON SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ACADEMY EXISTS TO ENSURE LEARNING FOR A DIVERSE POPULATION OF STUDENTS WITHIN A SAFE AND RIGOROUS BILINGUAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT. false false 14150695 NORTON SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE ACADEMY OPENED IN AUGUST 2008. THIS SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN THE SAN BERNARDINO INNER CITY. BESIDES BEING MODELED AFTER THE ACADEMY FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, IT IS ADDITIONALLY UNUSUAL BECAUSE THE INSTRUCTION IS CONDUCTED AS DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION. IN THIS MODEL, CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED IN A LANGUAGE NOT USUALLY SPOKEN BY A MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS (IN THIS CASE SPANISH) FOR THE GREATER PART OF THE CLASS SESSION AND ONLY IN ENGLISH FOR A SMALLER PART OF THE DAY. WHEN THE STUDENTS REACH FIFTH OR SIXTH GRADE THEY ARE INTRODUCED IN EXTRA ACTIVITIES TO A THIRD LANGUAGE. BY THIS PROCESS THE STUDENTS ARE FLUENT IN TWO OR MORE LANGUAGES BY THE EIGHTH GRADE. ATTENDANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 821 STUDENTS IN TK-8 GRADES. 13321377 THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A TK-12 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL, ACADEMY FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. THE SCHOOL PROVIDED INSTRUCTION FOR APPROXIMATELY 1,433 TK-12 STUDENTS. THE SCHOOL IS MODELED ON THE PRINCIPAL THAT CHILDREN LEARN BETTER WHEN THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED ALONG WITH THE TEACHER IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS. THE SCHOOL HAS ENTERED INTO PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES, COLLEGES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SPECIFICALLY NASA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS THE STUDENTS HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDS ON LEARNING. ONE EXAMPLE IS OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH NASA-AMES. WHEN NASA PERFORMED THEIR JUNO PROJECT TO ORBIT JUPITER, OUR STUDENTS AND STUDENTS IN SOUTH AMERICA, THROUGH LEWIS CENTERS MISSION CONTROL, WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRACKING OF SPACECRAFT VIA THE INTERNET. THEY OPERATED THE DEEP SPACE RADIO TELESCOPE DSS-13 LOCATED AT THE GOLDSTONE DEEP SPACE NETWORK IN THE MOJAVE DESERT. SUCH PROGRAMS ARE ONCE IN A LIFE TIME OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS TO PERFORM REAL SCIENCE IN REAL TIME. THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES OF THIS HANDS-ON INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL. 648896 THE LEWIS CENTER HAS CONDUCTED EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL CURRICULA TO SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE. THE CAMPUS OWNED BY THE FOUNDATION CONSISTS OF 150 ACRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH WHICH THE MOJAVE RIVER FLOWS. THE PROPERTY PROVIDES RICH OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS OF THE TWO CHARTER SCHOOLS AND OTHER LOCAL SCHOOLS TO VIEW AND INTERACT WITH NATURE. THERE ARE MANY ENDANGERED SPECIES WHOSE HOME HABITAT IS ON THE PROPERTY. THE PROPERTY ALSO CONTAINS THE SITE OF A 400 YEAR OLD NATIVE AMERICAN LIVING CENTER WHICH INCLUDES PETROGLYPS AND A BURIAL SITE. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AN EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO VISIT THE CAMPUS ON FIELD TRIPS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FORMER STUDENTS ATTENDING HIGHER EDUCATION 28120968 true true false false false false false false true true true false false false true true true false false false false false false false true false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false true 28 0 true 495 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 9 7 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA X X DAVID GRUBER 7609465414 17500 MANA ROAD APPLE VALLEY CA 92307 LISA LAMB President & CEO 40.00 0.00 X X 234413 0 66620 DAVID GRUBER CBO 40.00 0.00 X X 168294 0 67007 STACY NEWMAN DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES 40.00 0.00 167246 0 66726 RYAN DORCEY DIRECTOR OF IT & GLOBAL PROGRAMS 40.00 0.00 167246 0 66726 CHET RICHARDS PRINCIPAL - AAE 40.00 0.00 168294 0 47484 GUSTAVO CONGO DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION 40.00 0.00 163049 0 52033 MYRNA FOSTER ELEMENTARY VP 40.00 0.00 147378 0 49995 ERIKA AGOSTO K-12 PRINCIPAL- NSLA 40.00 0.00 154600 0 36651 TONI PRECIADO COORDINATOR 40.00 0.00 141448 0 48660 CHARLOTTE WILMETH-STREET TEACHER 40.00 0.00 153165 0 36894 HEATHER MUIR PROGRAM COORDINATO 40.00 0.00 151792 0 37208 ANITA GESSON TEACHER 40.00 0.00 134125 0 46026 VICTOR URIBE PRINICPAL- NSLA 40.00 0.00 84147 0 23817 JESSICA RODRIGUEZ Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICK SCHLOSSER APPOINTEE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 YOLANDA CARLOS CHAIRPERSON 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MARISOL SANCHEZ VICE CHAIR 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DR STEVEN LEVIN Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 LUCY TELLO Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL RAZO Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 2035197 645847 12 false true false 0 44373529 69888 44443417 CLASS FEES 6495 6495 REFUNDS/REBATES 43996 43996 RENTAL INCOME 116406 116406 SCHOOL RELATED INCOME 301924 301924 YEARBOOK SALES 9061 9061 477882 400419 400419 0 0 0 0 37759 16783 20976 20976 0 0 0 45342694 477882 421395 0 0 0 0 1734353 1734353 0 21306889 17119414 4187475 3773740 3084812 688928 3124140 2460326 663814 782935 592698 190237 202186 61351 140835 68680 20840 47840 0 0 0 0 2234122 677834 1556017 271 46056 13975 32081 393735 354649 39086 0 0 1735774 526699 1209075 165372 50180 115192 0 237515 72071 165444 3268637 3268637 0 3320832 3320832 925608 280864 644744 FOOD 1542823 1389670 153153 SOFTWARE 831733 252379 579354 CLASSROOM SUPPLIES 620501 558905 61596 MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS 364576 110626 253950 1159381 493675 665706 47839588 28120968 19718349 271 11858403 13060641 15050007 20909512 0 7955214 2776442 0 0 0 0 707620 260786 69167421 13429209 56725936 55738212 0 0 0 49939289 48459440 280578 201190 142517047 141406223 1750094 3854839 237829 168546 54665000 54195000 280581 201910 56933504 58420295 X 27195627 29152064 58387916 53833864 85583543 82985928 142517047 141406223 -2496894 -100721 X false true X false true true X 31945897 32904996 44459622 44748238 44443417 198502170 1563843 3282655 253485 75469 477882 5653334 0 0 0 33509740 36187651 44713107 44823707 44921299 204155504 0 0 204155504 2781 7405 289894 183269 400419 883768 0 2781 7405 289894 183269 400419 883768 0 5442500 6311 37759 5486570 33512521 41637556 45003001 45013287 45359477 210525842 0.96970 0.96580 0.00420 0.00250 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED true false 68561 398 2232 66727 73798 374 5611 68561 75106 260 1568 73798 74890 216 75106 74829 61 74890 false false false 798729 798729 65476696 11831094 53645602 2804289 1598115 1206174 87707 87707 55738212 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 201910 201910 X 45359477 16783 16783 45342694 45342694 47856371 16783 16783 47839588 47839588 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE PERMANENTLY SET ASIDE FOR EXPENDITURES ON OPTICAL EQUIPMENT LOANED TO THE ORGANIZATION OR FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. Part X : FIN48 Footnote The Charter is a non-profit entity exempt from the payment of income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701d. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes for its primary activity. However, the Charter also conducts unrelated consulting activities for which unrelated business income is generated. As a result, this income is taxable, however, management believes that no material income tax liability will arise for this fiscal year, and therefore, no provision has been made for income taxes. Management has determined that all income tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon potential audit or examination; therefore, no disclosures of uncertain income tax positions are required. Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 FUNDRAISING EVENT EXPENSES $16783 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S EVENT EXPENSES FUNDRAISING $16783 X X X X X false CA GALA 37759 37759 937 9865 5981 37759 37759 937 9865 5981 16783 20976 X X X false false false false false false false false false ANITA GESSON TEACHER 115743 18382 25871 20155 180151 CHARLOTTE WILMETH-STREET TEACHER 126918 26247 29824 7070 190059 CHET RICHARDS PRINCIPAL - AAE 168294 32144 15340 215778 DAVID GRUBER CBO 168294 45160 21847 235301 ERIKA AGOSTO K-12 PRINCIPAL- NSLA 154600 29529 7122 191251 GUSTAVO CONGO DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION 163049 43758 8275 215082 HEATHER MUIR PROGRAM COORDINATO 149017 2775 29051 8157 189000 LISA LAMB President & CEO 234413 44773 21847 301033 MYRNA FOSTER ELEMENTARY VP 147378 28149 21846 197373 RYAN DORCEY DIRECTOR OF IT & GLOBAL PROGRAMS 167246 44879 21847 233972 STACY NEWMAN DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES 167246 44879 21847 233972 TONI PRECIADO COORDINATOR 141448 27017 21643 190108 A CA ENTERPRISE DEV AUTH 13069AAC2 2020-02-12 9365000 REFINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION false false false B CA ENTERPRISE DEV AUTH 13069AAG3 2020-06-16 40895000 CONSTRUCTION false false false C CA ENTERPRISE DEV AUTH 13069AAQ1 2021-12-16 5500000 CONSTRUCTION false false false A 600000 9365000 585016 474401 10371 2831322 4963247 true false true true B 965000 40895000 3011445 127756 443688 539935 38862037 1388966 2094712 false false true true C 5500000 97500 488424 1563 false false true true A true false false false false false B true false false false false false C true false false false false false A true false false false false B true false false false false C true false false Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b A DRAFT OF THE RETURN IS EMAILED TO EACH BOARD MEMBER BEFORE FILING AND THEY ARE ASKED TO REVIEW IT. THE BOARD IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY WITH A COPY OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c THE FOUNDATION OPERATES CHARTER SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA, SO IT COMPLIES WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA CODES WHICH AFFECT ALL CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOL AGENCIES. AS SUCH, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE WHICH WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2002 AND AMENDED IN 2008, MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE 81000. THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT ANNUALLY COMMUNICATES WITH EACH DIRECTOR, OFFICER, KEY EMPLOYEE AND HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEE THAT THEY MUST FILE THE REQUIRED FORM (FORM 700) WITHIN THE STATED TIME FRAME. IF ANYONE THAT IS REQUIRED DOES NOT RETURN THE FORM TO THE HR DEPARTMENT, THEY ARE REMINDED THAT COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY. TO DATE, ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO FILE HAVE DONE SO. THE HR DEPARTMENT THEN FILES THE FORMS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE OTHER AGENCIES AND MAKES AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION THOSE THAT MEET THE CODE REQUIREMENTS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO IS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ALL OF WHOM ARE INDEPENDENT. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CEO POSITION IS A MATTER OF BOARD POLICY #BP 2120. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CEO IS GOVERNED BY A CONTRACT AND THE SIGNIFICANT TERMS OF THE CONTRACT ARE GOVERNED BY BOARD POLICY BP #2121. ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE CEO IS REQUIRED BY BOARD POLICY BP #2123. THE CEO SALARY IS DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO A COMPARISION WITH THE PUBLISHED SALARY SCHEDULES OF OTHER LOCAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. A RECORD OF THE SALARY COMPARISON WAS MADE CONTEMPORANEOUSLY. FOR ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING KEY EMPLOYEES AND HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES, THE BOARD HAS ADOPTED A POLICY FOR PERSONNEL HIRING PRACTICES WHICH IS SET FORTH IN BOARD POLICY BP #2400 AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION HIRING PRACTICIES WHICH GOVERNS THE CREATION OF NEW POSITIONS. THE BOARD ALSO MAINTAINS A PERSONNEL COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF BOARD MEMBERS, THE CEO AND THE HR MANAGER, WHICH MEETS AND ADVISES THE BOARD ON PERSONNEL POLICY MATTERS. ALL SALARIES ARE NEGOTIATED AMONG THE STAFF CABINET, THE HR MANAGER, THE CEO OR THE BOARD DIRECTLY, WHICH EVER IS THE MOST APPORPRIATE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ALL DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION SUBJECT TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UPON REQUEST AT A REASONABLE TIME AND UNDER REASONABLE CONDITIONS. THESE DOCUMENTS INCLUDE THE FORM 1023 AND FORMS 990 FOR ALL YEARS. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 THE BYLAWS OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE, WWW.LEWISCENTER.ORG. THE WEBSITE ALSO DISCLOSES THE FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS, MOST CURRENT MEETING AGENDAS, AND THE MINUTES OF THE LAST BOARD MEETING. ALSO DISPLAYED ARE THE CHARTER PETITIONS OF THE TWO CHARTER SCHOOLS. PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 13 BOARD POLICY #4270 IS OUR ANTI FRAUD POLICY AND REPORTING PROCEDURE. THE PROCEDURE CONTAINS A SECTION 'WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTION' THAT PROTECTS ANY EMPLOYEE FROM RETRIBUTION IF THEY ACTED IN GOOD FAITH IN ATTEMPTING TO COMPLY WITH THE ANTI-FRAUD POLICY. PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 14 THE ORGANIZATION HAS IMPLEMENTED THE GUIDANCE OF 'RECORDS RETENTION MANUAL' PUBLISHED BY THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS, AS ITS RECORD RETENTION POLICY. COPIES OF THE MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE TO MANAGEMENT AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF THE ORGANIZATION. PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THE FILING ENTITY IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED AS A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. AS A RESULT, SCHEDULE E IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE FILED. 17500 MANA ROAD LLC 17500 MANA ROAD APPLE VALLEY CA 92307 THEATRE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CA 692117 17444869 THE HIGH DESERT PARTNERSHIP 230 SOUTH WATERMAN AVE LLC 17500 MANA ROAD APPLE VALLEY CA 92307 K-12 CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION CA 3179149 85757630 THE HIGH DESERT PARTNERSHIP false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false