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Non-profit

Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

Parent Organization: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Website:

www.isacs.org
Location:

CHICAGO, IL
Tax ID:

36-2715311
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $2,335,039
Expenses: $2,106,706
Assets: $3,241,783
Type:

School Accreditation
Founded:

1908
Executive Director:

Mary Menacho

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The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) is an organization of private schools in the Midwest United States. ISACS provides resources to its member schools, including curriculum recommendations and guidelines on adhering to the group’s left-progressive political views. 1

ISACS is a member organization with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the largest network of private schools in the United States. NAIS has more than 1,600 member schools that enroll a total of nearly 700,000 students. 2

Critical Race Theory

In February 2022, the right of center law publication Legal Insurrection announced the launch of an investigation into National Association of Independent Schools and its member organizations, which include the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Led by journalist and former teacher Paul Rossi, the investigation centers on the apparent promotion of left-progressive race and gender ideology within NAIS. Legal Insurrection highlighted statements by leading left-progressive activists affiliated with the NAIS, as well as curriculum changes which the association expects its member organizations to implement. 3

NAIS has hosted Bettina Love, the co-founder of the radical-left Abolitionist Teaching Network, as a keynote speaker at its “People of Color Conference.” Love’s organization claims that school disciplinary measures are a form of “spirit murder” of minority children. The association has also promoted the writings of radical-left ideologue Ibram X. Kendi, who claims that race-neutral policies are inherently discriminatory. Legal Insurrection has alleged that to suppress opposition to its policies and curriculum recommendations, NAIS has recommended that its member schools bar parents from involvement in their school communities and even expel their children. Legal Insurrection further claims that the association has also recommended that school administrators treat dissenting parents and community members as if they are mentally ill. 4

Leadership

Mary Menacho is the executive director of Independent Schools Association of the Central States. She was previously the director of the California Association of Independent Schools. 5

Karen Zeitlin is the director of programs at ISACS. She was previously a program officer with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, where she worked on expanding abortion access. 6

Financials

In 2020, Independent Schools Association of the Central States received more than $2.3 million in revenue. More than 60 percent came from grants and donations, while the remainder came from program service fees. 7

References

  1. “About ISACS.” Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.isacs.org/about-isacs
  2. “About NAIS.” National Association of Independent Schools. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.nais.org/about/about-nais/
  3. Paul Rossi. “Project Launch: Unmasking National Association of Independent Schools.” Legal Insurrection. February 9, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/02/project-launch-unmasking-national-association-of-independent-schools/
  4. Paul Rossi. “Project Launch: Unmasking National Association of Independent Schools.” Legal Insurrection. February 9, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/02/project-launch-unmasking-national-association-of-independent-schools/
  5. “Meet the Staff.” Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.isacs.org/about-isacs/meet-the-staff
  6. “Meet the Staff.” Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.isacs.org/about-isacs/meet-the-staff
  7. Independent School Association of the Central States, Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362715311
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1968

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Jun Form 990 $2,335,039 $2,106,706 $3,241,783 $673,357 N $1,481,624 $798,777 $50,613 $0 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $2,313,457 $2,246,024 $2,836,717 $497,060 N $1,263,269 $1,014,513 $37,760 $276,599 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $2,419,436 $2,182,560 $2,882,873 $614,433 Y $1,210,853 $998,223 $20,871 $270,012
    2017 Jun Form 990 $2,054,647 $2,041,881 $3,097,839 $1,066,275 N $1,080,950 $955,685 $17,143 $264,064 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $1,864,013 $1,843,138 $2,840,745 $821,947 N $1,056,039 $786,668 $19,955 $259,404 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $1,904,583 $1,779,355 $2,779,019 $781,096 N $1,004,794 $865,621 $34,609 $261,073 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $1,925,337 $1,880,148 $2,663,759 $791,064 N $1,020,730 $885,117 $23,303 $264,619 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $1,720,637 $1,671,790 $2,633,324 $805,818 N $942,757 $749,193 $23,839 $267,715 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $1,754,670 $1,610,233 $2,223,503 $411,030 N $912,632 $763,276 $62,479 $250,561 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

    55 W WACKER DR STE 701
    CHICAGO, IL 60601-1789