Mother Teresa Academy

Mother Teresa Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States, specifically focused on providing educational services. It combines traditional Catholic education with modern best practices to offer a comprehensive K-8 education, emphasizing academic excellence, values, and faith-based learning.

Purpose and Mission

The academy's mission is to integrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ while fostering academic achievement and a lifelong love of learning among its students[4]. It aims to serve economically disadvantaged families, ensuring accessibility regardless of financial situations by offering scholarships based on federal poverty guidelines[2].

Educational Model

Mother Teresa Academy focuses on serving the City of Erie's most economically challenged neighborhoods, making it the only mission-based Catholic school in the area[2]. The cost to educate each student is approximately $5,000 per year, but most families pay significantly less due to scholarships. Families qualifying for free lunch receive a scholarship of $4,750, while those qualifying for reduced lunch receive $4,500[2].

Funding and Operations

As a non-profit, private, and independent school, Mother Teresa Academy does not receive any state, federal, or diocesan aid[3]. It relies heavily on fundraising efforts and donations to cover operational costs since tuition alone covers only about 65% of the school's budget[3]. Contributions and program services are significant revenue sources, with contributions making up about 13.9% of total revenue in recent years[1].

Financial Overview

Recent financial filings indicate that the academy's primary revenue sources include contributions and program services, with notable expenditures in salaries and wages and executive compensation[1]. The academy's total assets have been reported to be over $600,000 as of recent filings[1].

Community and Family Involvement

Mother Teresa Academy emphasizes family participation in education, recognizing its impact on student achievement and self-esteem. The academy offers various opportunities for family involvement beyond traditional events, catering to diverse family needs and circumstances[3].