Paradise Schools

What it reported doing in 2024

Paragon management, inc, dba paradise schools is a k-12 Arizona public charter school. Our mission is to provide a safe learning community committed to fostering personal growth and academic excellence. Paradise schools core beliefs include the following: 1. We believe students learn in a school atmosphere that is safe, respectful, and maintains high academic and behavior expectations. 2. We believe in implementing rigorous student-centered curriculum focused on preparing students for their future. 3. We believe in developing authentic relationships built on trust, communication, and a common goal. 4. We believe in establishing a professional learning community enriched with on-going staff development and collaboration. 5. We believe in recruiting and maintaining highly effective staff members that are capable and advocate for the betterment of the school rather than self. 6. We believe in creating a leadership team that guides and governs our school community through sound judgement and best practices. The results of paradise schools core beliefs can be seen in the districts record of academic excellence. An accomplishment of paradise schools has been the ability to earn and maintain high marks in Arizona's schools rating system, based on student achievement. For many years, including the 2024-25 school year, paradise schools earned an "a" rating by the Arizona department of education. For many years, including the 2024-25 school year, paradise schools statewide test results exceeded state averages in all categories. In addition, paradise honors high school has been recognized by u.s. News and world report as being one of america's best in multiple years.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 78%; rating input score 78
• Program expense ratio: 79.7%; rating input score 80
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Limited
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 2.3%; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.21; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.89; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.6%; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.3% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.5% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.3% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings