Nonprofit · EIN 55-0806673
BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS
Tax-exempt · LOS ANGELES, CA 90057
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $116,901,212 | $82,232,041 | $34,669,171 | $254,257,979 | $147,679,389 | $106,578,590 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $81,503,664 | $79,953,273 | $1,550,391 | $209,288,916 | $137,482,040 | $71,806,876 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $116,447,935 | $72,202,716 | $44,245,219 | $176,480,820 | $106,224,335 | $70,256,485 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $113,443,764
- of which government grants
- $113,369,967
- Program service revenue
- $2,056,483
- Investment income
- $1,398,465
- Net rental income
- $2,500
- Other revenue
- $2,500
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $2,500
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $796,386
- Other salaries and wages
- $39,680,411
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $53,736,552
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $454,888
- Accounting fees
- $72,000
- Occupancy
- $5,985,751
- Travel
- $1,458,137
- Depreciation
- $637,088
- Program services (functional)
- $69,362,137
- Management and general (functional)
- $12,869,904
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $209,288,916
- Total assets, end of year
- $254,257,979
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $147,679,389
- Net assets, end of year
- $106,578,590
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $115,939,976
- Publicly traded securities
- $16,041,917
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $106,578,590
- Gross receipts
- $116,901,212
- Employees
- 676
- Volunteers
- 15
- Year formed
- 2002
- State of legal domicile
- CA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA L MARTINEZ | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $326,452 | $6,544 |
| ELIJAH SUGAY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $192,436 | $7,282 |
| ZEBIB HABTE | HEAD OF ACCOUNTING SERV. (THRU 6/25) Highest-paid employee | 40 | $168,790 | $16,704 |
| ELIZA KIM | SR. VP, LEADER. DEV. & INITIATIVE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $164,860 | $14,229 |
| MARNI PARSONS | SR VP STUDENT & FAMILY SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,063 | $19,813 |
| SEBASTIAN VALDES | SENIOR VP, OPERATIONS, IT AND DATA Highest-paid employee | 40 | $147,822 | $16,458 |
| JENNIFER SIMMONS | VP CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $158,426 | $5,241 |
| LILIANA BUSTOS | CHIEF INSTRUCTION OFFICER Officer | 40 | $142,363 | $217 |
| VERONICA LEEANN YU | CHIEF OPERATING OFF. (THRU 7/24) Officer | 40 | $103,988 | $8,176 |
| ANDREW MURR | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER COLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOIS LEVY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOUISA WEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISOL LEON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISSIKO WHEATON-GREEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
5 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERTA BENJAMIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JASON RUDOLPH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| STEPHEN GREEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DAVID CHANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ALYCE JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRAG HAMALIAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (JULY-OCT) Officer | 40 | $303,268 | $4,628 |
| VERONICA LEEANN YU | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $178,625 | $19,068 |
| ELIJAH SUGAY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $176,986 | $19,900 |
| KAITLN FOE | CHIEF OF STAFF Officer | 40 | $168,500 | $17,885 |
| ZEBIB HABTE | HEAD OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,182 | $20,331 |
| MARNI PARSONS | SENIOR VP STUDENT & FAMILY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $150,570 | $21,709 |
| ELIZA KIM | HEAD OF SCHOOL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $157,456 | $14,039 |
| JENNIFER SIMMONS | VP CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $154,722 | $8,998 |
| REBECCA VOGEL SANCHEZ | BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIST Highest-paid employee | 40 | $143,280 | $17,018 |
| ANA L MARTINEZ | CORPORATE - PRESIDENT / CEO Officer | 40 | $128,641 | $15,445 |
| ANDREW MURR | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW WANG | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON RUDOLPH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER COLE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOIS LEVY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOUISA WEE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISOL LEON | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISSIKO WHEATON-GREEN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERTA BENJAMIN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN ELLEDGE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN GREEN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID CHANGE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 17 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRAG HAMALIAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $311,806 | $9,190 |
| MELISSA KAPLAN | DEPUTY SUP OF EDUCATION Officer | 40 | $202,718 | $8,177 |
| LEEANN YU | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $170,033 | $7,999 |
| ELIZA KIM | HEAD OF SCHOOL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $158,624 | $11,937 |
| MARNI PARSONS | SENIOR VP STUDENT & FAMILY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $151,200 | $18,393 |
| JENNIFER SIMMONS | VP CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,046 | $5,895 |
| KAITLN FOE | CHIEF OF STAFF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $148,500 | $7,806 |
| ELIJAH SUGAY | CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER Officer | 2 | $150,000 | $5,996 |
| MANNY ACEVES | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER COLE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN GREEN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISOL LEON | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOIS LEVY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW WANG | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOUISA WEE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN ELLEDGE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW MURR | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 600 S LA FAYETTE PARK PL STE 302 8, LOS ANGELES, CA 90057-3275
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ELIJAH SUGAY, 600 S LA FAYETTE PARK PL STE 302 8, LOS ANGELES, CA 90057
- Signed the 990
- ELIJAH SUGAY, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
- Phone
- (323) 954-9957
- Website
- WWW.BRIGHTSTARSCHOOLS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- EIDE BAILLY ADVISORY LLC
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 55-0806673 or by the name BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
AT BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS, OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HOLISTIC, INCLUSIVE SUPPORT FOR ALL THE STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND GROW THEIR UNIQUE TALENTS SO THAT THEY FIND JOY AND FULFILLMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREER AND LIFE.
Program accomplishments
- BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS OPERATED NINE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 3,600 STUDENTS ACROSS LOS ANGELES COUNTY THROUGH A TK-12 COLLEGE-PREPARATORY EDUCATIONAL MODEL FOCUSED ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, COLLEGE READINESS, AND WHOLE-CHILD DEVELOPMENT. THE ORGANIZATION'S SCHOOLS PRIMARILY SERVED HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN WEST ADAMS/SOUTH LOS ANGELES, KOREATOWN, AND THE NORTHEAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY. BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS MAINTAINED A COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE DESIGNED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREER PATHWAYS, AND CIVIC LIFE. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDED STANDARDS-BASED ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, COLLEGE COUNSELING, ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSEWORK, ALUMNI SUPPORT SERVICES, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING, AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS. DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINED A STUDENT-TO-COUNSELOR RATIO OF APPROXIMATELY 130:1, SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE CALIFORNIA AVERAGE, TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED COLLEGE AND ACADEMIC ADVISING. THE ORGANIZATION ACHIEVED A 95% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE, WITH ONE HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVING A 100% GRADUATION RATE, AND AN ESTIMATED 88% COLLEGE MATRICULATION RATE AMONG GRADUATING SENIORS. BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS' HIGH SCHOOLS WERE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, WITH RANKINGS PLACING THE SCHOOLS AMONG THE TOP PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE. ADDITIONALLY, MULTIPLE SCHOOLS RECEIVED COLLEGE BOARD AP SCHOOL HONOR ROLL RECOGNITION FOR EXPANDING STUDENT ACCESS TO ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSEWORK AND SUPPORTING COLLEGE READINESS OUTCOMES. AS PART OF ITS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MODEL, BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 50 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES SUPPORTING STUDENT AND FAMILY WELL-BEING. SERVICES INCLUDED FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS, EYE EXAMS AND EYEGLASSES, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, FOOD AND RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION, FAMILY WORKSHOPS, COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCILS, AND SCHOOL-BASED ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING. DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES RECEIVED OVER 200 PAIRS OF FREE EYEGLASSES, ALONG WITH DONATED SCHOOL SUPPLIES, BACKPACKS, SHOES, TOYS, AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES. BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS ALSO CONTINUED OPERATING A SIX-YEAR ALUMNI SUPPORT AND COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM TO ASSIST GRADUATES WITH COLLEGE PERSISTENCE, FINANCIAL AID RENEWAL, ACADEMIC ADVISING, AND CAREER PLANNING. THE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE OF THESE SERVICES IS TO INCREASE COLLEGE COMPLETION RATES, EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY STABILITY, AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO BECOME FUTURE LEADERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED.Expenses $69,362,137 · grants $2,500 · revenue $2,056,483
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 55-0806673
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- School
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2004
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B29)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $254,257,979
- Income (IRS master file)
- $116,901,212
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $116,901,212 | $82,232,041 | $254,257,979 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $81,503,664 | $79,953,273 | $209,288,916 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $116,447,935 | $72,202,716 | $176,480,820 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $70,636,057 | $61,975,077 | $111,091,804 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 55-0806673).
Questions about BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS
- What is the EIN of BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS is 55-0806673.
- Is BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
- Are donations to BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names ELIJAH SUGAY.
- Who are the officers and directors of BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 20 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $326,452 (ANA L MARTINEZ, PRESIDENT/CEO).
- How much revenue does BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $116,901,212, expenses of $82,232,041 and total assets of $254,257,979 at year end.
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